Cox Communications Athletic Center

[Tripple Threat]

_ Its a very good business move for cox and UL... Cox gets PR, UL gets money, and both can work on partnerships in telecommunications and data processing through UL's nationally renowned computer science department... _

That avatar is great...Where did you put it together?

[locoguano]

That avatar is great...Where did you put it together?

Uh.. Comedy Central's website to make a football player, then Photoshop to create the background and color things...

[spearchucker]

_ The donations are great, I just hate to see company logo's from multiple company's all over the athletic complex. I was glad to see the UL emblem enlarged on the swamp gates as opposed to the way they were (very small and dwarfed by the different company logo's). In UL's situation, at this point anyway, the naming right option is the only option. Is there anyone out there that is o.k. with the way things are? It could be better. _

I'm guessing no one has been inside the Cox Communications academic center for athletes at LSU--Cox logged out 7 figures to build the state of the art facility for academics...it is unreal--LOOKS LIKE WE GOT SCREWED (even though any money is good money)!

[Crowley Cajun]

_ I guess you would sell yourself to the devil for money! Answer me this question, Why has it taken Cox this long to step, Heck, Channel 37 . Cox Sports television is the LSU Sports Channel, or haven't you noticed.
Why do we have to rename our athletic complex in order to get a large donation from them. OH, TAX Write OFF and good PR. Come, let's not forget how we get screwed on CST and channels and rates.
COME ON NOW>
Geaux Cajuns _

This is my take. On why has it taken them this long to step up, what's the difference? At least now they're doing it. Maybe they see the university trying to better themselves and they finally want to be part of it and I'm sure that Gerald Hebert has alot to do with that. Hey, it's getting things done faster than going through the finance committee, don't you think?
On your point on why do we have to rename the center, yes, it is a tax write off and PR for Cox. It's called business. They benefit, we benefit. It's called being a good business partner. I can't comment on the CST and channel rates, because I'm not familiar with situation. UL is not selling itself to the devil. It's reaching out to the business community, which we've always complained on why don't the businesses support UL, and the business community is supporting that effort. I say to applaud that the business community is finally getting it and supporting the local university. Yes, they will support LSU also. So what? It's a smart business practice. Ok. I'm off my platform now.LOL!

[Kal]

_ Its a very good business move for cox and UL... Cox gets PR, UL gets money, and both can work on partnerships in telecommunications and data processing through UL's nationally renowned computer science department... _

I think a large part of Cox's generosity is simply Public Relations. They figure that a 5 million donation to UL will provide better PR and ultimately cost them less than a tireless campaign to try and win customers back from LUS and their new fiberoptic network. Think about it. This way they seem to actually care about this city as opposed to just appearing to be a money hungry business trying to regain a monopoly on this area. This may sound like a conspiracy to some, but it is an interesting thought. Just my opinion. Never the less, we come out smelling like a rose.

[Cajun Express]

_ I think a large part of Cox's generosity is simply Public Relations. They figure that a 5 million donation to UL will provide better PR and ultimately cost them less than a tireless campaign to try and win customers back from LUS and their new fiberoptic network. Think about it. This way they seem to actually care about this city as opposed to just appearing to be a money hungry business trying to regain a monopoly on this area. This may sound like a conspiracy to some, but it is an interesting thought. Just my opinion. Never the less, we come out smelling like a rose. _

The stockholders of Cox, and CEO only care about profits. Gee what an interesting take on a national business. I am OK with it. I have never ever seen a business as a caring humane being. They were never created to provide for the general welfare. If a consumer or city gets benefits from their presence that is merely a nice byproduct. Yes they want less competition and yes they would like a monopoly. It is up to us to keep them on the tight and narrow.

[MissingMandy]

_ Boy, talk about hard to please. We sit around and complain that we are cash strapped can't get anyone to donate and when we finally get a huge donation we complain about who gives it and them naming a building. Let's don't raise any money close down the place and go home. _

I was thinking the same thing. Thats alot of money. Thank you Cox Communications we'll take it!!

[DaddyCajun]

_ I'm not a big fan of this either, but with the State of Louisiana Board of Regents' Finance Committee's denial...I sure don't want advertisers names all over the campus. _

Triple Threat, I know your a huge UL fan, but you and a few that have posted here have missed the point, and that is MONEY.

Cox has ONLY sponsored the Athletic Office Building, and this will give UL a cash infussion that is sorely needed.

Heck yeah you and I and many people would love to not have names of a few companies on our buildings, but fact is we NEED the money!!

If anyone on this or any board knows anyone that is willing to put up the money Cox, then get THEM or YOU to put up the MONEY instead of these companies!!!!!!!!!

UL has been thru GH looking long and hard for the big buck people to lay it down, this is a start and this is progress, got to love it.

See ya at the games,
DaddyCajun

[DaddyCajun]

_ I guess you would sell yourself to the devil for money! Answer me this question, Why has it taken Cox this long to step, Heck, Channel 37 . Cox Sports television is the LSU Sports Channel, or haven't you noticed.
Why do we have to rename our athletic complex in order to get a large donation from them. OH, TAX Write OFF and good PR. Come, let's not forget how we get screwed on CST and channels and rates.
COME ON NOW>
Geaux Cajuns _

Baby steps, baby steps!!! We have a long way to go, try and enjoy the ride, because once it is built all you will have to complain about then is wins and loses!!

DaddyCajun

[DaddyCajun]

_ I was thinking the same thing. Thats alot of money. Thank you Cox Communications we'll take it!! _

Amen!!!

[McTailGator]

_ It is odd that it is a 10-year sponsorship agreement. The details of the agreement are unkown. What happens if Cox refuses to continue its sponsorship at the end of the 10-year period?

No need to speculate. The scenarios are almost indefinite. _

Charlie,

It's not really all that uncommon. Cameron State Bank has done something simular for the rights to be the most prominent name on our Scoreboard, and I'd bet you guy's have something simular assoicated with yours too.

The cool thing about it is, your building was paid for by a student assessment if I remember correctly. Now, your AD can take that $13K a month you are going to get from Cox and go out and secure a State issued bond and get the entire amount right now to pay for something else, or simply use the money for salary's or Operating expenses.

McNeese is selling naming rights (or sponsorships) to each room (i.e, the Hall of Fame Room, the Ticket Box Office, the Dressing Room, each locker, the weight room, the Training Room, each coaches office, Each team meeting room, the Players lounge/Plaza, and even the new 420 seat Club House on the 2nd floor) in our new Fieldhouse complex seperately in order to raise additional money above what we could get for one name on the entire complex, which is already named the Jack V. Doland Fieldhouse. It's more work to sale things individually, but we have time (1.5 years) and half of the rooms are already sponsored.

[Tripple Threat]

_ Triple Threat, I know your a huge UL fan, but you and a few that have posted here have missed the point, and that is MONEY.

Cox has ONLY sponsored the Athletic Office Building, and this will give UL a cash infussion that is sorely needed.

Heck yeah you and I and many people would love to not have names of a few companies on our buildings, but fact is we NEED the money!!

If anyone on this or any board knows anyone that is willing to put up the money Cox, then get THEM or YOU to put up the MONEY instead of these companies!!!!!!!!!

UL has been thru GH looking long and hard for the big buck people to lay it down, this is a start and this is progress, got to love it.

See ya at the games,
DaddyCajun _

I'm very appreciative of the cash and as you know I only want UL to move forward. My thoughts are in a best case scenario, private donations and no advertisements. But hey...if this is the way we will progress, let's do it. Thanks to everyone for keeping the forward momentum.