What project would you like to see done next?

[DestinCajun]

1. Pressure wash the stadium (a must with the new field)!
2. In conjunction with the announcement of a new fundraising organization (CAF) - renovate baseball/softball complex; new dorms and academic center.

If we get this done...really can't come up with much more at this point!

If I'm right the CAF is a done deal. Just needs to be announced to the public and that happens when the powers that be decide it is time.

Like poster above, I'm real partial to "JUST WIN BABY!!!" in terms of instant gratification.

[HoustonCajun]

_ Sorry, DC, but I respectfully disagree. I have done a couple of the events and they ARE fun. But his point was directed at cutting grass and weeds. And the general neglect to grounds maintenance on campus. I think the volunteer painting, pressure washing, etc. events are fine for volunteers. But routine grounds maintenance such as clearing out weeds and cutting grass are needed far to often and have far too little lasting effect to rely on volunteer efforts. That needs to be a university obligation to perform regular, routine maintenance both on the main campus and at the satellite areas such as the athletic complex. This goes to the pride in our campus issue which he touched on. Also, he lives in Houston which makes participation a little difficult. I live in Mandeville which is about half as far as Houston and it is hard for me to get there very often. I imagine it would be even tougher coming from H-town. _

Thanks for the supportive comments as you understand what I am saying. I think it is great that you guys have the volunteer days and do all that you do. My point, however, is that it is a shame that a 1A athletic program cannot keep up with simple maintenance tasks on a weekly basis and allow the athletic properties to look like crap. There is a difference, IMO, in doing some volunteer painting or stadium washing, for example, vs. having to cut grass and trim weeds. That some volunteers need to step up to do the work is to be applauded, but should be unnecessary. Every time I go to Lafayette, the grounds at the athletic complex are unkept, even CajunDome Blvd. is uncut and that is on game days. There is just no excuse for that and it shouldn't take volunteers to keep up the grounds on a daily basis and particularly on game days. We have a nice athletic complex that is improving each year. It is bad enough to have it tarnished by a lack of maintenance on the facilities. But to not have proper grounds maintenance is inexcusable and only serves to detract from the kind of image we seek.

[CajunNation]

My 2 cents.


We must do a better job at getting the "little things" done like maintenance, cleaning, and waste removal before the big things. This includes painting and pressure washing the stadium, whatever it costs.

Now, as far as big projects, I think you must do the most pressing needs first before the really cool stuff like second tiers for Cajun Field.

One of the most pressing needs for the university as a whole is STUDENT HOUSING. Best answer is getting use of Girard Park. They won't let us. So, we have to look elsewhere.

I believe the answer is staring us right in the face. Demolish Blackham. Demolish those barns. Move the horticulture center to Cade. This would be a huge area perfect for another "Legacy Park" right near the athletic complex.

Secondly, we need an ACADEMIC STUDY CENTER for ALL sports to use.

Also, we need way more funding for athletics. The RCAF needs to be done, yesterday. And, it needs to be private.

If there is money for a baseball stadium, it needs to get done thus allowing both the baseball and softball programs to get new stadiums.

After the above gets done, then we should focus on expandin Cajun Field with luxury suites on the student side and weight rooms overlooking Cajun Field.

[ULtimateCajun]

Number one thing that needs to happen is the establishment of CAF! When that happens the rest will follow and hopefully the football stadium cleaning would follow the next day.

[Crowley Cajun]

_ John Montesanto(spelling) once said he would like his new 18 Million Dollar Golf course to be the Home of Ragin Cajun Golf right infront of the Mall of Acadiana! _

When did he say that? I've known Mr. Montesano and his family since I was yay high. My dad was one of his best friends. I grew up with his boys and still see some of them from time to time. He's a good man.

[DestinCajun]

_ Thanks for the supportive comments as you understand what I am saying. I think it is great that you guys have the volunteer days and do all that you do. My point, however, is that it is a shame that a 1A athletic program cannot keep up with simple maintenance tasks on a weekly basis and allow the athletic properties to look like crap. There is a difference, IMO, in doing some volunteer painting or stadium washing, for example, vs. having to cut grass and trim weeds. That some volunteers need to step up to do the work is to be applauded, but should be unnecessary. Every time I go to Lafayette, the grounds at the athletic complex are unkept, even CajunDome Blvd. is uncut and that is on game days. There is just no excuse for that and it shouldn't take volunteers to keep up the grounds on a daily basis and particularly on game days. We have a nice athletic complex that is improving each year. It is bad enough to have it tarnished by a lack of maintenance on the facilities. But to not have proper grounds maintenance is inexcusable and only serves to detract from the kind of image we seek. _

Alum, I was at the Ohio and McNeese games to begin the 2007 home football season and then the rest of our games and frankly the stadium and surrounding grounds/parking area were clean and maintained (outside the big expensive renovation jobs the stadium requires). Volunteers were a major contributor to the painting and cleaning done within the stadium done prior to the season and we did so gladly. But not after the season began.

Yes, I have seen occasions in the offseason when things were not "up to snuff". I even recollect mentioning the huge ugly weeds all over the gravel parking areas to Gerald Hebert and he assued me on the spot they would be dealt with before the season began. They were.

Do I want to see dollars spent to upgrade the overall appearance of our athletic complex? Absolutely I do, but I understand too we have priorities. The new indoor practice facility and the brand new playing field are just a couple of important recent ones. Things like housing, updated training facilities and enhanced academic support for athletes should top a "if money were no object" wish list.

Please be assued that Cajun athletics are not all a picture of "gloom and doom". We are indeed moving in the right direction albeit not on all fronts simultaneously and at the speed everyone might prefer.

[CajunNation]

Things like housing, updated training facilities and enhanced academic support for athletes should top a "if money were no object" wish list.

All I hear from the Academic people is that student housing is the paramount issue facing the university.

All I hear from the Athletic people is that enhanced academic support is the paramount issue facing the athletic program.

These 2 items can't be "wish list" items.

[USLJim]

first off all it ain't gonna be called CAF, its gonna be Ragin Cajun Athletic Foundation RCAF.

Geaux Cajuns

[Hammer58]

_ first off all it ain't gonna be called CAF, its gonna be Ragin Cajun Athletic Foundation RCAF.

Geaux Cajuns _

I don't know about that. I'm sure all the folks that try to tell us we can't use the UL abreviation because Louisville already uses it will tell us the Royal Canadian Air Force has dibs on RCAF. But if we do use it can we get one of those neat airplane logos? Afterall Gen Chenault lived here and the the first Acadians were from Canada.

[DestinCajun]

_ first off all it ain't gonna be called CAF, its gonna be Ragin Cajun Athletic Foundation RCAF.

Geaux Cajuns _

What's second of all?

[DestinCajun]

_ All I hear from the Academic people is that student housing is the paramount issue facing the university.

All I hear from the Athletic people is that enhanced academic support is the paramount issue facing the athletic program.

These 2 items can't be "wish list" items. _

Nation, please be assured the program (hideous peppers, hideous clothes, helmets, black paint, crappy shirts at Academy Sports and all) IS moving in the right direction.

PS Point me to the posts we exchanged about LaTex coach Dooley's salary. I have some related info and opinion to post.

[reddot]

Now that we have a beautiful field....I think the university should take
a bulldozer or a small controlled nuclear device to the dreadfull UL hedges
in the endzone. The straight lines of the field will only enhance the ugliness
and unkemptness of them. I know some will be offended because they
worked hard to spruce them up....well kudos for the hard work but "THEY GOT
TO GO"
Also what is the need for the fence around the parking lot?What are we keeping out or keeping in for that matter? The black spray paint makes them look a tad better but a tad better than ugly is still ugly. The brick gates are
so nice but the fence takes a bit of the luster off.

[Zeebart21]

Now that we have a beautiful field....I think the university should take
a bulldozer or a small controlled nuclear device to the dreadfull UL hedges
in the endzone. The straight lines of the field will only enhance the ugliness
and unkemptness of them. I know some will be offended because they
worked hard to spruce them up....well kudos for the hard work but "THEY GOT
TO GO"
Also what is the need for the fence around the parking lot?What are we keeping out or keeping in for that matter? The black spray paint makes them look a tad better but a tad better than ugly is still ugly. The brick gates are
so nice but the fence takes a bit of the luster off.

Upper Lafayette weighs in !!!!! HOLLA!!!!!

Z

[reddot]

Z,
We know a few things about making things pretty....ain't no
stinkin' bus station gonna drag my side of town down.
Hey, maybe we could do a land swap with greyhound. We trade
that patch of land on the endzone hill for the old greyhound station.
That way when the buses unload it will boost attendance.
This stuff is so easy.

[reddot]

Speaking of improvements.....I heard through the grapevine there is going to
be an upgrade of the video boards in the Cajundome. Supposedly there was a mention of this in the bid presented by the Cajundome for the Top 28.

Back on task. The the projects I'd like to see are

1. Clean the stadium
2. CAF
3. Improvements of living conditions for student-athletes
4. Plasma TVs and beer taps installed for UL basketball courtside seats
5. Ragin Jazz Chloe given a fifth year to dance (reshirt)