Bowl Question-New Orleans specific

[Just1More]

It's for the players... What did the fans do? Drink beer? Eat? Watch entertainment? Did the fans run stadiums? Did they go to 5am workouts? Do they practice? If it was a reward for the fans there would be no discussion of where...we would go to New Orleans even if we were playing Erath.

Sorry crazy... I have to disagree. The bowl appearance is for the entire program... including the fans. It is predominantly a reward for the team's hard work... but it is a reward for all of us. And we would not, as fans, prefer the NO Bowl every single year, against any opponent.

Every team that is considered for the NO Bowl, is bowl eligible. Some of those teams, regardless of their lackluster national identification, are better teams than these barely eligible AQ "big name" programs.

We aren't guaranteed a win wherever we go and whoever we play.

Do you think some of our athletes themselves wouldn't mind their families and friends having an easier travel situation and more enjoyable experience, to get to watch them play live in a bowl? Another thing we fans need to consider... Every year, we have a new class of players that haven't been to the NO Bowl. We fans think this is overly redundant. Our team, as a whole, may not think so.

[zephyr]

It's for the players... What did the fans do? Drink beer? Eat? Watch entertainment? Did the fans run stadiums? Did they go to 5am workouts? Do they practice? If it was a reward for the fans there would be no discussion of where...we would go to New Orleans even if we were playing Erath.

I would say its a reward for the program and its fans. Bowls are in the business of making money and they want teams who will make great games and fanbases that will travel. The fans travel because it is a treat for them to be able to see their team play on the big stage against another quality opponent. I could understand if someone were saying that if you are rewarding the program, you are rewarding the fans as well. But, the players are who see the biggest reward of all......most of the time.

[Just1More]

Yes, but the conference will want the bowl eligible teams accounted for, especially the Red Wolves

But after the champion has a bowl, it is wide open to take whichever SBC team they want. It has to be a bowl eligible SBC team... that's via NCAA rules. But it may not be the next best team, by record. The SBC is very susceptible to having teams with great records left out of the bowl scene. The SBC has no say-so in it.

[CrazyCajun]

Sorry guys, I believe you should be rewarded for doing something. I don't consider enjoying watching something doing something. I enjoy every second of cajun football, I shouldn't be "rewarded" for that. The players put in the work, the reward is for them. If they get a chance to go to a bowl game in Dubai, they should be rewarded with that. The thought of fans not being rewarded with easy travel should never enter anyone's mind. When I was 18-22... I didn't give a shat if my family came anywhere with me. I just wanted to go. Also, bowls give gifts to players. "Bigger" the bowl the better the gifts. That is a direct reward for the players. The majority of these kids probably had never been on an airplane until they came here. If they get a chance to visit a new city, they should get that reward. Fans want to go to New Orleans only for selfish reasons. The family thing only counts if the kids are local. Don't you think the kids from alabama would rather godaddy? Or the kids from Florida would rather st Petersburg?

[Just1More]

But, the players are who see the biggest reward of all......most of the time.

I also assure you that our players are happy participating in any bowl. I also wouldn't expect they think like we do about the bowl opponent, etc. I think when they're mom and dad say, "I hope it's in New Orleans!". They say, "Me too, mom, me too."

[Just1More]

Sorry guys, I believe you should be rewarded for doing something. I don't consider enjoying watching something doing something. I enjoy every second of cajun football, I shouldn't be "rewarded" for that. The players put in the work, the reward is for them. If they get a chance to go to a bowl game in Dubai, they should be rewarded with that. The thought of fans not being rewarded with easy travel should never enter anyone's mind. When I was 18-22... I didn't give a shat if my family came anywhere with me. I just wanted to go.

"Doing something"? I've been holding onto the rope! ... in a thong!

[CrazyCajun]

"Doing something"? I've been holding onto the rope! ... in a thong!

And you enjoy every second of it....that's your reward. Go run stadiums with the team holding your rope in your thong next spring and then you will be worthy of a reward.

[Hammer58]

And Vice Versa. If we win the championship, Mobile is less than enthused about taking the Red Wolves once again and that is the only other bowl that the SBC has a tie in this year. Therefore, the redwolves would have to be accomodated for as well.

No, if we are the champs and NOLA takes us Mobile could have their pick of any eligible Sun Belt team. Of course the conference would prefer that the second placed team get placed before a lower ranked Belt team but it is not required. I believe that was the case when WKU got left out last year, IIRC.

[cajunhawk]

No, if we are the champs and NOLA takes us Mobile could have their pick of any eligible Sun Belt team. Of course the conference would prefer that the second placed team get placed before a lower ranked Belt team but it is not required. I believe that was the case when WKU got left out last year, IIRC.

I think you are thinking of Middle Tennessee.

[BabbForHeisman]

Sorry guys, I believe you should be rewarded for doing something. I don't consider enjoying watching something doing something. I enjoy every second of cajun football, I shouldn't be "rewarded" for that. The players put in the work, the reward is for them.

I couldn't disagree more with this one. Over the past several years, we've made so many improvements that would not have been possible without an increased financial investment by the community. That financial investment is possible because we all go out, work hard, make money, and then chose to spend part of that money on UL athletics. So you can't act like fans do nothing but show up for games. What you see on the field today is a result of hard work by players and coaches...which was all made possible by the hard work of the fans.

I'm not saying we should select a bowl based on what is better for fans. Of course the New Orleans Bowl is always going to be better for fans. But in the long run, a matchup with a big name school in a different bowl might be better for the perception of our program. In many cases, that's more beneficial in the long run. But we have to make sure that we choose those opportunities carefully.

[CrazyCajun]

I couldn't disagree more with this one. Over the past several years, we've made so many improvements that would not have been possible without an increased financial investment by the community. That financial investment is possible because we all go out, work hard, make money, and then chose to spend part of that money on UL athletics. So you can't act like fans do nothing but show up for games. What you see on the field today is a result of hard work by players and coaches...which was all made possible by the hard work of the fans.

I'm not saying we should select a bowl based on what is better for fans. Of course the New Orleans Bowl is always going to be better for fans. But in the long run, a matchup with a big name school in a different bowl might be better for the perception of our program. In many cases, that's more beneficial in the long run. But we have to make sure that we choose those opportunities carefully.

And take some of your financial investment like I will and get on a plane and go to the game wherever it is. Or drive 5,6,8,10 hours and go to the game. Or stay home and watch it. To deprive the team of a chance to visit a different city, play a better opponent and receive better gifts because New Orleans is easy and convenient for the fans is wrong. I want to be in New Orleans for my own selfish reasons. I don't sit here and think I deserve a reward because I get to enjoy myself at a football game. Whatever coach HUD and the team wants and think is best for them is what should happen. You are seeing the reward for your financial investment..a winning team and most likely a conference champion. The bowl game is a reward for the players achieving that. You can disagree all you want, you won't convince me fans deserve a reward.

[cajunfan337]

It's for the players... What did the fans do? Drink beer? Eat? Watch entertainment? Did the fans run stadiums? Did they go to 5am workouts? Do they practice? If it was a reward for the fans there would be no discussion of where...we would go to New Orleans even if we were playing Erath.

I agree. The game itself, travel, and Shwag they receive from the sponsor is all for the players. But there is more to the whole entire experience than that. The pep-rally on Friday night, the Beach Boys; Givers; Charlie Daniels; etc., second-lining down Bourbon Street with the band. This stuff is arranged with the fan in mind.

Think about bigger BCS bowl games, they have Fan Experiences and what not. So yes technically the whole program gets rewarded.

I would say the players are most worthy of their reward, though.