Growing the Program

[UL Ragin Cajun]

But in addition I think your comparing apples to oranges.

I'm sure the University of Florida used the apples and oranges argument back then also. I don't think that they can use it now. In time I think you will understand.

[UVGotToBeKiddin]

I'm sure the University of Florida used the apples and oranges argument back then also. I don't think that they can use it now. In time I think you will understand.

Dude, if you or anyone else here thinks that usl will ever be compared with the likes of the University of Florida, Tennessee, Michigan, Georgia, Texas, Alabama, etc., etc. then you are waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay to much in "(laf-laf)" land! Please tell me you are not serious with that statement and you only stated that to get folks riled up. That's the most rediculous thinng I've heard posted here. Well.........one of the most rediculous.

[kracka75LSU]

I'm sure the University of Florida used the apples and oranges argument back then also. I don't think that they can use it now. In time I think you will understand.

you guys' athletic dept is getting reemed. What I don't understand, If yall have the second highest enrollement in the state. Why the hell don't they raise the athletic budgett. That would help. Maybe yall wouldn't have to be the subject of 3-4 rent a wins every year to begin the season. Just be glad your not like FAU. Look at their schedule. That is retarded.

[Clutch0364]

you guys' athletic dept is getting reemed. What I don't understand, If yall have the second highest enrollement in the state. Why the :confused: don't they raise the athletic budgett. That would help. Maybe yall wouldn't have to be the subject of 3-4 rent a wins every year to begin the season. Just be glad your not like FAU. Look at their schedule. That is retarded.

were playing 2 money game this year the rest of our out of conference games are very winnable. and if raising the athletic budget was that easy don't you think they would have done it by now.

[UL Ragin Cajun]

Why the :confused: don't they raise the athletic budgett. That would help.

I don't think raising the budget is the answer. I do think outside funding is. This is taking place as we speak by one of the best and his name is Gerald Hebert. In time you will see.

[CajunProud]

you guys' athletic dept is getting reemed. What I don't understand, If yall have the second highest enrollement in the state. Why the :confused: don't they raise the athletic budgett. That would help. Maybe yall wouldn't have to be the subject of 3-4 rent a wins every year to begin the season. Just be glad your not like FAU. Look at their schedule. That is retarded.

All you have to do is look at who has been running UL since 1970 and you will have all the answers to why we are where we are athletically.

As much as he needs to go, I do have to say that over the last 3 or 4 years, I have seen a much more concerted effort on the part of UL to promote themselves and the energy in the community is palpable. However, I don't think this has anything to do with you know who.

[LARaginCajun]

you guys' athletic dept is getting reemed. What I don't understand, If yall have the second highest enrollement in the state. Why the :confused: don't they raise the athletic budgett. That would help. Maybe yall wouldn't have to be the subject of 3-4 rent a wins every year to begin the season. Just be glad your not like FAU. Look at their schedule. That is retarded.

It would help but it is sad when the state does not allow you to raise tuition for athletic purposes. Then there is a cap of what 3.6 million dollars that the university can give to athletics. If the students want to raise there tuition for athletics why can't they?? The state does not allow it. FAU has a budget off the top of my head about 22 million dollars. Think that comes from ticket sales???

[UL Ragin Cajun]

As much as he needs to go, I do have to say that over the last 3 or 4 years, I have seen a much more concerted effort on the part of UL to promote themselves and the energy in the community is palpable. However, I don't think this has anything to do with you know who.

It has everything to do with Gerald Hebert. He became the UL Athletic Development Director about that time.

[Turbine]

It has everything to do with Gerald Hebert. He became the UL Athletic Development Director about that time.

A few years back (2000, or 2001 if I recall) Nelson was doing a radio interview and I suggested a person do what Gerald does now.

At the time Nelson told me and the audience "We can't afford it." My response was "even if the fund raiser only was able to rasie enough money to cover his own salary wouldn't it be worth it?"

My thought at the time was he would be out in the public raising UL awareness.

Of course if I had known then what I know now about how good a job Gerald Hebert has done and is doing I would have been much stronger in my response.

[CajunKahouna]

..............

Of course if I had known then what I know now about how good a job Gerald Hebert has done and is doing I would have been much stronger in my response.

Each to their own opinion.

[CajunProud]

It has everything to do with Gerald Hebert. He became the UL Athletic Development Director about that time.

I agree. All I can say is thank the good Lord for Gerald.

[UL Ragin Cajun]

Of course if I had known then what I know now about how good a job Gerald Hebert has done and is doing I would have been much stronger in my response.

Here are some of the things that Gerald has been a part of, not to mention some of the things that he has planned for future.............

Athletic Initiatives & Progress

For Louisiana’s Ragin’ Cajuns

Recent Improvements

Facility Improvements & Additions
· Construction of a $4.3 million indoor practice facility is underway. The facility will accommodate football, baseball, basketball, softball, soccer, and track. (Paid for by the University.) Project in Progress

· A new $1.4 million Track and Soccer Complex was completed in 2005. (Paid for by the University.) Completed

· New stadium bleachers were erected on the 1st and 3rd base sides of M.L. “Tigue” Moore baseball field at a total cost of $500,000. (Paid for by the University.) Completed

· Our Lady of Lourdes Park is currently being built on the 1st base side of “Tigue” Moore Field. ($200,000) Project in progress

· Brick wall borders were erected on the 1st and 3rd base sides (from the dugouts to the outfield) of Tigue Moore baseball field. (Supplies donated by Acme Brick and Angelle Concrete.) Completed

· New light fixtures (that provide much improved field lighting) were installed at “Tigue” Moore baseball field thanks to a $30,000 gift from Jim Prince, Joe Klutts, Pete Canty, and Stone Energy. Installation was provided courtesy of Lafayette Utility Systems. Completed

· New lights were installed at the Lady Cajuns’ Softball Park. (Paid for by the University.) ($95,000) Completed

· A new $50,000 marquee was installed at the athletic complex entrance at the corner of Bertrand & Reinhardt Drive. (Donated by AAA Signs – Ken Stelly.) Completed

· The old scoreboard in the South end zone of Cajun Field was renovated and converted into an information center. Corporate sponsorships for the information center generate $40,000 annually. (Southern Structures and AAA Signs donated the material & labor to renovate the scoreboard.) $60,000 is needed for a new computer panel/grid. Project in progress

· A Letterman’s Walk ($65,000 value) will be created in the football tunnel at Cajun Field with new graphics, lighting, and sound system. (Donation to be made.) Project in progress

· Louisiana Ragin’ Cajun Logo discs were donated by Begnaud Manufacturing and placed at all entrances to UL athletic facilities. Ten logo discs were donated at a value of $2,500 each. Completed

· Football suites at Cajun Field were renovated. New theatre style seats were installed in skyboxes A and B. New window shades were installed in all skyboxes. Paid for by the University with donations from The Floor Store, Carpets & Drapes, and ASCO. ($40,000) Completed

· Nine murals in Cajun Field were donated by local artists. Ongoing Project

· Phase I of the Athletic Facilities Renovation program was completed in the summer of 2004 thanks to an effort led by Gary Rudick of Rudick Construction. The football locker room was completely renovated and now includes new carpeting, lockers, and a team meeting area. The training room was doubled in size and now includes a modernized taping room, rehab room, hydrotherapy room, equipment room, and laundry room. The $425.000 project was made possible entirely through private donations and gifts in kind by the following persons & companies: Actual value of renovation $900,000

° Lee Venable
° Gary Rudick (Rudick Construction)
° Mike & Janice Arabie
° Adrian Vega (Acadiana Dodge)
° Phil Carpenter (New park Environmental)
° Coburn Supplies
° Don Hargroder
° Acadiana Bottling
° Janine Piskurich
° Philip Burguieres
° Don Michel
° Richard & Sandi Chalmers

· Phase II of the Athletic Facilities Renovation program will double the size of the weight room. Phase III will provide a new Hall of Fame room, and other improvements. ($250, 000 needed) Project in progress

· Entrance gates at Cajun Field (where fans enter the stadium) have been renovated. The entrance gates (there are 4) are now available for corporate sponsorships & naming opportunities. State Farm is the first corporate sponsor of a Cajun Field gate. What has been known as “Gate A” (the gate near the large oak tree) is now “The State Farm Gate.” Ongoing Project

· Gateways at five main entrances to the Athletic Complex (Located at Bertrand, West Congress and Cajun Dome Boulevard) were constructed. Some gates are still available for corporate sponsorships and naming opportunities. (5 gates $125,000 annually) Completed

· New signage and graphics have and continue to be installed in Cajun Field and in the athletic administration building. (Donated by Pixus Digital Printing and Fun Jumps Printing.) Project ongoing

· Two new full-color concrete graphics (The Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns Logo) was painted on the ramp leading up to The State Farm Gate (formerly Gate A.) Thanks to a donation from Joe Welch/Concrete Design. (Value $10,000) Project ongoing

· A new walkway was built in the South end zone of Cajun Field. The walkway allows fans to walk from one side of the stadium to the other. (Paid for by the University.) ($25,000) Completed

· The lobby of the athletic administration building was renovated with new flooring, recognition plaques for athletic donors, furniture, and graphics. A naming opportunity for the lobby was purchased by Acadiana Bottling. ($50,000) Completed

· Shelled (limestone) parking areas have been added to Cajun Field to better accommodate fans – these parking areas were previously unusable when there was rain prior to a football game. (Paid for by University.) ($200,000) Completed

· TV monitors were installed in skyboxes and the concourse areas of Cajun Field – fans can now keep track of the game while getting concessions. Monitors provided by a donation from Cox Communications. ($10,000) Completed

· Wood flooring and carpeting were donated by Carpet & Drapes for all football coaches’ offices. Completed

· Stoma’s Furniture donated new furniture for coaches’ offices ($12,000) Completed

· Acme Brick is donating ceramic tile for six rooms in Earl K. Long gym and the athletic administration building. Project in progress

· An outdoor patio (where fans can watch the game) was installed in the South end zone of Cajun Field. The initial patio is a promotional item with possible plans to install additional patios for sale/rental to fans. Completed

· Two large conference tables (each 14 feet long with Ragin’ Cajun logos) were donated to the UL baseball and football programs by Knight Oil Tools. Completed

· Furniture was donated for the lobby of the athletic administration building by Home Furniture. ($5,000) Completed

· Ideal Steel will build 2 new pavilions at the Baseball Stadium on the 1st and 3rd base sides. ($10,000 – 1st base side completed) Project in progress

· City of Lafayette and H & S Construction resurfaced the roads and the parking lots at the Athletic Complex. ($175,000 paid for by the University) Completed

· UL purchased the artificial turf that will be placed in the new indoor practice facility from the New Orleans Superdome. (Cost of new field turf was bid a $440,000. Turf from the Superdome was purchased and picked up May 25, 2005 for $30,000 – the turf was only 1 year old.) Completed

· ASCO/Greg Dugan will finalize Sun Screen project for President’s, Press, and Media Boxes in the football stadium. ($15,000) Suites A & B Completed

· New carpet and/or flooring for track and soccer office. Completed

· New roof on track/soccer press box ($7500) Totally donated. Completed

· Track entrance – wrought iron will be donated to replace chain link fence.
Project in progress

· New Dugouts, 2 new brick walls that line the 1st and 3rd base lines, drainage, a new $30,000 set of bleachers and new foundations for additional chair back seats were installed at Lamson Lady Cajun Park. Compliments of Keith Kischbach Construction, Mike Elias - Acme Brick, Karl Vincent - Pop a Lock, & Chris Guidry & Eddie Begnaud - Guidry / Begnaud Development. ($85,000 project) Completed.

· Athletic mural added in front entrance of athletic administration building ($1,400) Completed

· New Signage & Graphics at track facility ($1,800) Completed

· Pavillion being built on 3rd base side of Tigue Moore Field. Donated by Ideal Steel ($10,000). Project in Progress

· Color Digitial Media Center and brick wall will be built at corner of Bertrand and Congress ($205,000). Donated by Lamar Advertising & Guidry Begnaud Developers. Project in Progress

· New carpeting in Athletic Administration Building donated by Georgia Carpet Outlets. New glass doors installed. Karl Comeaux and Brooks Bernard donated doors and installation of carpet. ($19,000) Completed




· Athletic Academic Center. Donors and volunteers have succeeded in beginning the restoration and rebuilding of the Academic Center. 25 new computers, 20 new tables, 75 new chairs, 8 new cameras and monitors, plus clean up and painting of all 4 rooms was accomplished in phase one of this project. Value of materials and labor $45,000. Phase 2 will include restoration of conference center porch and lobby. (Approximate cost $50,000) In progress

· 4 more new entrance gates will be built at the Athletic Complex. Location: 3 on the Cajundome side of the football stadium and 1 at the entrance to the new indoor practice facility. 2 of 4 are already sold to corporate sponsors. Will raise additional $65,000 annually. In progress

· Restoration of a number of gates and fences around the Athletic Complex. $25,000 In progress

Equipment Additions & Improvements
· Coordinating 2nd Phase of enlarging UL weight room. Many aspects of this phase are in place:

° Three construction companies will make significant contributions
° Architect indicates he will donate services – Perry Segura
° Concrete will be donated – Angelle Concrete
° Large transformer will be moved by LUS
° Binks Michotta will totally donate forming up the foundation for the project.
° All weights, work out equipment will be donated by Body Masters.
° Strong possibility of $60,000 being pledged by one entity.
$200,000 Raised/ $260,000 Needed

· Eight new Schwinn Air Byne bicycles were donated to the athletics weight room at a value of $5,000. (Donated by Ross Brupbacher.) Completed

· A turf lift was donated by Ed and Ricky Domingue. This lift will help facilitate better care of our athletic fields. ($5,000) Completed

Special Event Fundraising Projects
· The Saints Black and Gold Scrimmage was held August 2, 2003 and raised $70,000 for UL Athletics. Completed

· New Orleans Hornets/Los Angeles Clippers Exhibition game – October 16, 2004. (Raised $30,000 for UL Athletics.) Completed

· The UL “Hot and Spicy” Golf Classic (sponsored by TABASCOâ) was held in April of 2004 at Squirrel Run in New Iberia and over $27,000 was raised to benefit recruiting for all UL athletic teams. $31,000 was raised in April of 2005. In 2006, $35,000 was raised. Thanks to the title sponsorship by TABASCOâ this will be an annual event. Annual Event


· Several other golf tournaments are being formed to benefit athletics – two in Lafayette, one in Patterson, Houston, New Orleans, Dallas, and Atlanta. These are projected to raise $250,000 annually to benefit athletics. Ongoing project

· Steven’s RV will donate a $50,000 fifth-wheel travel trailer. The travel trailer will be raffled with proceeds benefiting athletic recruiting and/or athletic facility improvements. Project in progress

· The Village of River Ranch & Robert Daigle will host an annual event to raise money for UL athletics. Project in progress

Fundraising Projects & Initiatives
· Gerald Hebert was hired with the sole responsibility of Athletic Development. Completed

· The UL Foundation established the Ragin’ Cajun Athletic Endowment Advisory Committee to oversee all monies donated for UL athletics. Completed

· A football fundraising effort to increase the athletic recruiting budget generated $37,000 in 2003. A similar effort in 2004 has generated $51,000 to date. This increased funding has been tremendously helpful to UL’s recruiting efforts. ($70,000 in 2005) On going project

· Operation Kickoff was begun as the 1st phase in establishing a $20 million endowment to fund 200 athletic scholarships. Project in progress

· A link to athletic development was created as part of the University’s website for philanthropy. The link can be accessed at www.louisianagifts.org. Completed

· A minimal parking surcharge for all athletic events was enacted beginning in 2004. It is projected that this small fee will raise $200,000-$250,000 annually with all proceeds benefiting UL athletics. Completed

· A donor Wall of Honor was being installed in the lobby of the athletic administration building to honor and recognize our athletic major gift donors. Completed

Marketing & Promotional Initiatives
· Eric Maron was hired with his sole responsibility being Athletic Marketing. Completed

· “Support Louisiana’s Ragin Cajuns – It’s Great for Acadiana” campaign has been initiated. Sponsored by The Daily Advertiser, LEDA (Lafayette Economic Development Authority,) LUS (Lafayette Utility Systems,) and the Lafayette Convention and Visitors Bureau. On going project

· A new pickup truck was donated as a give-away for the 2002, 2003, and 2005 football seasons. (Donated by Courtesy Motors.) Completed

· The Athletic Network website (www.athleticnetwork.net) was created by Dr. Ed Dugas, and his son John. The website is reconnecting former athletes, coaches, managers, cheerleaders, etc. to the University and with each other.
Project on going

· A media banner for Louisiana’s Ragin’ Cajuns is being sponsored by MidSouth Bank. The banner is used as a backdrop during media interviews of UL coaches. ($12,000 annually) Completed

· Corporate leaders (from various businesses) are organizing and hosting Progress in UL Athletics presentation meetings. At these meetings UL fans and supporters are seeing a power point presentation on the progress being made in UL Athletics. To schedule this presentation for your civic club meeting, call the UL Office of Development a (337) 482-0922. On going project

· Researching/planning the building, marketing, financing, and selling of luxury suites for football stadium. Project in progress

· Albertsons/Rich Cline agreed to sell football game tickets at all Albertson’s stores. Will include support Ragin’ Cajun campaign in all flyers on a weekly basis, will display signage in all stores. On going project

· New scoring table and major graphics project will be in place before August 25th. Cost $6,000. Earl W. Long Gym. $3,000 needed to finish project. In progress

· 100’ long X 25’ high brick wall and color matrix center at corner of Bertrand and Congress. $230,000 project. In progress

· The forming of a women’s support group for athletics. This will take place immediately. In progress

· The Difference Makers, a new support group for athletics will be 30 to 50 men dedicated to moving many improvement projects forward at a more rapid pace. They will aid with fundraising and networking capability. In progress

Student Involvement and Support of Athletics
· The student body approved (during the 2003 fall semester) a referendum for a $20 fee per student, per semester, to benefit athletics. Assessment began in 2004. ($500,000 annually) Ongoing

· The student Union Program Council (UPC) and the Student Government Association (SGA) are working on projects to promote and inform students about the importance of student attendance at home football games. On going project

· Twelve computers were donated by UPC and SGA to the Athletic Academic Center. ($10,800) Completed


With YOUR help we will continue adding to these accomplishments!

Please help us network with potential athletic donors; help us by volunteering; and help us by making financial and/or in-kind gifts.

To help in any of these ways, please contact:

Gerald Hebert
Athletic Development Coordinator
University of Louisiana Office of Development
P.O. Drawer 43410
Lafayette, LA 70504
Phone: (337) 482-0922
E-mail: sports@louisiana.edu
Website: www.LouisianaGifts.org
(Click on “Athletics” under the column titled “Where your Gift is Needed”)



Info from:
http://www.uoflgifts.com/uploads/ATH...tedMay2006.doc