What should be done with new funds?

[rhineaux]

_ Like most have stated we need these monies in many different areas, not just one.

I would break it down and work with the community to get matching funds:

1) 20% into a fund to be matched for the scholarships(200 mandated by the NCAA) these would be matched and funded until fully funded at which time this 20% would geaux into a savings or other use depending what is needed when this time comes.

2) 10% would geaux into a future slush fund for raising coaches salaries as goals set by the AD are met by the coaches and said teams.

3) 20% would geaux into marketing the programs being inovative to stretch these monies and be inclusively used with other business monies.

4) 30% would geaux into facility upgrades and expansion while attracting more private/business monies.

5) 5% would geaux into recruiting budgets that already exist and continue to grow with the funds raised by golf tourneys and such.

6) 10% would geaux into the study center

7) 5% could geaux into increasing the base pay of all UL Coaches right away
something is better than nothing

DaddyCajun _

I concur that these monies need to be worked into the Athletic department, much like you outlined. but, i think that being there are so many things the department needs right now, i.e. dressing up the football stadium, fixing the Tigue, dressing up the complex (new fence around the place, something to enhance the barren limestone eyesore, i mean wasteland that is the parking lot), a balls out marketing campaign, etc. i think that prioritizing these things and taking care of them immediately, rather than increasing each sports budget, or each item's allotements incrementally, would be a lot better. If we give a little to this and a little to that, and it still takes 5-7 years for the tigue to be competitive for a regional host site again, what good does that do. It needs to be upgraded immediately so it can compete next year or the year after, so we can use that momentum to extra noteriety to make it even better in the 5-7 years.

[AstroCajun]

pay back all the hotel owners in Ruston where Z stayed and destroyed with his numerous rockstar like parties . . . its the thing legends are made of.

I don't care who you are, that's funny right there.

[RCAJUN90]

pay back all the hotel owners in Ruston where Z stayed and destroyed with his numerous rockstar like parties . . . its the thing legends are made of.

[RCAJUN90]

Correct me if I'm wrong but with the new law, the natural advantages ( student population etc...) of UL should start to yield results.

[Corndog308]

Maybe just a touch of the money can go into making a Fideaux the Bull Gator mascot costume.

[Cajun Express]

_ Correct me if I'm wrong but with the new law, the natural advantages ( student population etc...) of UL should start to yield results. _

You are not wrong, but there is more to it than just student population. For example if the university grows it's budget by creating new educational opportunities such as adding a PHD program. Let's say we get another hundred thousand from the state for that program in people and facilities. Then the athletic budget would grow by three thousand dollars. That is what makes this so much better than what we had in the past.

It is also another reason we need to make sure our universities stay fully funded.

[NewsCopy]

The state of Louisiana Board of Regents approved a proposal to ease restrictions on the use of state funds for university athletic programs, a proposal that could increase UL’s athletic budget by $1.4 million for this fiscal year. The proposal, one originated in part by UL president Ray Authement, had been expected to be adopted two weeks ago. At that time, the Board of Regents’ Finance Committee did not approve the new policies and did not forward the proposal to the full board pending further study. Monday, the Board of Regents executive committee passed the proposal submitted by Commissioner of Education E. Joseph Savoie, allowing schools the flexibility to put more of their existing money into athletic programs. The rest of the story Dan McDonald dmcdonald@theadvertiser.com

[DestinCajun]

_ Build an academic center similar to what LSU did when Saban came in and put a lot more resources into tutors helping athletes academically. Notice I said help, not do the work for them. If we can't afford an academic facility (building), tutoring aid needs to be increased substantially. This will keep us out of APR trouble, help athletes graduate, and help them stay eligible. Keeping them eligible will translate directly into more wins. _

This is so important it needs to be done with or without accessing the "new money". I honestly believe an academic center is one of the cornerstones of what is absolutely necessary to attract quality student athletes.

[rhineaux]

_ This is so important it needs to be done with or without accessing the "new money". I honestly believe an academic center is one of the cornerstones of what is absolutely necessary to attract quality student athletes. _

Is this something that HAS to be done by the athletic department and not the university. Am I assuming correctly that it does have to be done by the ath. dept because it's something only used by athletes?

And mike, when you say "build and academic center", do you mean actually constructing a building on the camplus or ath complex, or do you mean building a program? I am not sure about this, but do the student athletes have any required time per week that they have to be in front of a tutor or something? I know that frat's make their pledges do that. But, do some of the teams have a deal where they go to a study hall or something after practice?

[Cajun Express]

_ Is this something that HAS to be done by the athletic department and not the university. Am I assuming correctly that it does have to be done by the ath. dept because it's something only used by athletes?

And mike, when you say "build and academic center", do you mean actually constructing a building on the camplus or ath complex, or do you mean building a program? I am not sure about this, but do the student athletes have any required time per week that they have to be in front of a tutor or something? I know that frat's make their pledges do that. But, do some of the teams have a deal where they go to a study hall or something after practice? _

CM and I have had this conversation often. A visible center would be best. It sends a visible positive message to mom and dad. If that is too expensive, convert a building an staff it.

R, academic commitment to the student is the most important thing to a parent. Building and staffing such a facility is a concrete evidence you are serious about making sure their children's welfare is at the top of your list.

Of course the what academically benefits the student benefits the program. If you lose fewer quality players you gain in the W & L wars. You win in the W & L wars and you gain in the recruiting wars. Yes we have a program now, but it could be so much more.

[Cajun Power]

_ Is this something that HAS to be done by the athletic department and not the university. Am I assuming correctly that it does have to be done by the ath. dept because it's something only used by athletes?

And mike, when you say "build and academic center", do you mean actually constructing a building on the camplus or ath complex, or do you mean building a program? I am not sure about this, but do the student athletes have any required time per week that they have to be in front of a tutor or something? I know that frat's make their pledges do that. But, do some of the teams have a deal where they go to a study hall or something after practice? _

I would say that it HAS to be done by the athletic department for two reasons:

1) It only directly benefits athletes, so it would be unfair to divert funds away from non-student athletes.

2) If you're waiting for the University to build such a center, you'll be waiting forever because there just isn't enough money.

I do agree that this might be one of the most important things to do, outside of upgrading certain facilities, such as baseball. By building an academic center for student athletes you not only attract recruits but also quality coaches. Also, some of my LSU-supporter friends constantly harp on 'how badly UL treats their athletes,' this being a reason they don't support UL. I think it's BS, but at the same time I really think it sends a message to potential fans that UL is also in the business of building quality students and quality graduates who are ready to make a difference in the world.

[RonMexico]

I would say that it HAS to be done by the athletic department for two reasons:

1) It only directly benefits athletes, so it would be unfair to divert funds away from non-student athletes.

2) If you're waiting for the University to build such a center, you'll be waiting forever because there just isn't enough money.

I do agree that this might be one of the most important things to do, outside of upgrading certain facilities, such as baseball. By building an academic center for student athletes you not only attract recruits but also quality coaches. Also, some of my LSU-supporter friends constantly harp on 'how badly UL treats their athletes,' this being a reason they don't support UL. I think it's BS, but at the same time I really think it sends a message to potential fans that UL is also in the business of building quality students and quality graduates who are ready to make a difference in the world.

get new friends.