The Runaway Track That Could Have Been UL's

[towele]

It definitely wont be built before the fall of 2005. How much after that I have no idea.

Intial reports on pratice facility say not a whole lot to it, from what I hear a practice field, basketball court, locker area and some other storage.

Don't think we will see an indoor track and sounds like it is short on funds.

[Turbine]

I'm still miffed (for Lancon) that Authement wouldn't drop 10G to OWN a $250,000 (then) storeaway professional indoor track.

[GetTheFacts1st]

True.

I'm still miffed (for Lancon) that Authement wouldn't drop 10G to OWN a $250,000 (then) storeaway professional indoor track.

It is my understanding that it was NOT Authement's fault. It was the guy who ran the Cajudome at the time. who told the Superdome to sell it. Authement was "all in" on the idea, but the Cajundome made the thumbs down decision. It would not have cost the university anything as it was already state property.

As for the Olympic Trials, OTHER schools are KNOWN to send their athletes. It's a matter of caring.

[Turbine]

Coach Lancon was classy, stiil employed and very careful in his wording.

[basinbear]

Turb, it was a privilege to work with Coach Lancon. Recruiting in Track & Field and football sometimes crossed over and he was a pleasure to work with. His budget was so lean that when needed we would allow his recruits to participate in our weekend, on campus functions. That man was aces in my book.

[ragin2112cajun]

I'm still miffed (for Lancon) that Authement wouldn't drop 10G to OWN a $250,000 (then) storeaway professional indoor track.

The Grim Reaper "Authement"!!! As for as Lancon, I had the pleasure of running 4 yrs of track under him. He was a great man, and was well respected in track circles he new that track would have done wonders for UL and the area track programs.

[CajunRed]

I was president of the track and field officials association at that time. It was not quite that simple. It isn't just buying the track. It then must be stored...and assembled each time it is to be used. Assembly would have cost thousands for each meet. At the same time some are criticizing Doc for not buying the track, others are saying screw track and field -- it doesn't bring in a dime to UL...and takes away from football. Which is it?

[Hammer58]

I was president of the track and field officials association at that time. It was not quite that simple. It isn't just buying the track. It then must be stored...and assembled each time it is to be used. Assembly would have cost thousands for each meet. At the same time some are criticizing Doc for not buying the track, others are saying screw track and field -- it doesn't bring in a dime to UL...and takes away from football. Which is it?

Maybe if The Fossil would have allowed the formation of RCAF back then the money would have been there for those expenses. You can't look at it in a vaccuum. Yes there were money woes but he, if not the creator of those woes, certainly contributed to them.

[Turbine]

Actual picture of track updated.

[CharlieK]

$250,000 track for $10,000? Worst case buy it, pay to store it, then flip it for multiples of what you paid. Were we really so broke we couldn't pay to STORE a track? The thousands to set up and tear down for a meet I would think would be covered by the entry fees for the meet? I admit I have never run a track meet, so maybe this isn't so.

I know there is always more to a story like this....but man.......

[Turbine]

If Coach Lancon said it would be a money maker, that's good enough for me.

[CajunAmos]

We have horse barns up the wazoo and couldn't find a place to store a track?