Originally posted by CAJUNDAVE1 on Delphi
I just returned from the final Quarterback Club meeting of the 2002 football season. This final meeting focused on the positives of the season instead of on what occurred last Saturday. In addition, many of the seniors (who did not have a class) were in attendence.
Cajun fans were obviously disappointed in the outcome of the game Saturday afternoon, but when the season was reviewed and all of the good things that happened were reviewed, it is obvious that things are moving forward in and around the UL football program.
A few specific items that were pointed out included:
1) More than $242,000 in promotional time and adds was donated to the UL football program this season by the various local broadcasting companies (TV & Radio) and other businesses. This total dollar amount also included the various promotional give aways (such as the Pick-up Truck and Tailgating Bar-B-Q outfit, televisions and seat cushions, etc.) that were given away at home games throughout the season. According to those making the presentation, this university has never recieved donations of this magnitude, for promotional purposes, before. And all indications suggest that next year will be as good and probably better.
2) It was also announced that the football program has raised an additional $35,000 to $40,000 over the past few weeks to supplement the football recuiting budget. About $25,000 is actually in hand and the other $10,000 to $15,000 has been pledged, but not yet recieved. It was also announced that this kind of commitment is also starting to roll over to the Basketball program and the other sports.
3) Several individuals were also recognized for their support of the program by donating their time and/or materials for the renovation of the entrances to Cajun Field, the building of a new marquis at the entrance to the athletic complex at Reinhardt Dr. and some improvements that are being made to the Baseball stadium.
4) In addition, Coach Bustle went over the list of players that he "red____ed" this season, and some others that he said will make considerable contributions to the Cajun team next season. He indicated that there are currently 16 players on the team that did not set foot on the field this season who have already broken some of the schools strenght records!!!
5) Although he was not at liberty to discuss recruiting in detail, Coach Bustle indicated that he was pleased with the way things were going and made it clear that he and his staff now have recruiting as their top priority. He could not provide specific information, but said that in the next day or two, we might be reading in the paper about another verbal committment from Texas (I think that will make 5)!!!!
6) Coach Bustle stated that the team would have a final team meeting later this afternoon. He stated that once the meeting was finished, and after this the seniors left the room, thew group that remained would be given the plan for the offseason. He indicated that they could expect things to be done different than in the past and that many would be in for a "big" surprize when they were turned over to the new strength and conditioning coach! He said that the young men that make it through the offseason workout program will definatly go into next season bigger, stronger and faster!
7) Coach Bustle and the others present gave a huge ovation to the many seniors on this years squad who were present and stuck it out for their 4 or 5 years at this university. These guys went through some very tough times, but coach Bustle made it clear that they were the backbone of this team and that they will always be considered the foundation of the Cajun program when things get turned around! Andre George got up and spoke to the group on behalf of the seniors. He thanked everyone for the support they recieved this year and asked everyone to continue supporting Coach Bustle and his staff. Andre made it clear that he, and the other seniors, know that Coach Bustle is the person who can, and will, get the Cajun football program winning in the very near future.
8) When asked, Nelson Schexnayder also confirmed that next years OOC football schedule includes road games at South Carolina, Minnesota, Oklahoma State and Southern Mississippi along with home games against La Tech and Houston. Then of course we will have the regular home and away conference schedule.
All-in-all, although we only won tree ball games again this year, this was a very different season than in the past. There is no doubt in my mind that the future of Cajun Football is bright. As fans, we need to continue supporting Bustle and his staff in any way that we can. We need to renew our season tickets, and increase the number if we can. In addition, any increase in financial contributions of any kind (or amount) will go a long way in helping out.
Also, we need to make sure that we support all of the other sports teams in the same way that we have the football program this year. We have a potential top 25 Basketball team, a potential top 10 Baseball and Softball team, along with a good track and field program. In addition, Coach Hall appears to know what it will take to revive the women's Basketball team and get them competative and the women's Volleyball team had a wonderful year, considering that they almost started the season without a coach.
If everyone will just increase the financial support that we currently provide to athletics, I think we would all be surprized at how much better things would get and how quickly it would happen!
I will conclude by saying that, even though we finished 3-9 this football season, I have never felt better about the future of Ragin Cajun Football and Cajun Athletics in general! Everyone, please keep up the good work!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Quote
2002 Game Pictures
