UL/Louisiana Branding

[justafan83]

We, the fans of UL, have been very good natured about the promotion of our nicknames, UL (in general) and Louisiana Ragin Cajuns (athletic). Every one of us realizes and recognizes our state mandated legal name and use it in all official capacities. The UL fan didn't go around telling every other school fan what to call us. We (most passionate fans) openly use our own preferred name and ask our own supporters and the media to use preferred names. When anti UL people stuck their noses into our communication of that name to media, it became contentious. You make it out as if we, the passionate fan, should not bother with the preferred nickname and just go along with the mandated official name. We're not going to do it. You call it "whining". It is simply sticking to the plan. We're not going to stop using our preferred name and we are going to continue to promote it with media.

And winning is happening. Winning is not distracted by the name. We are building and growing and winning because we have specific processes in place supporting building, growing and winning. Don't concern yourself with the name if you can't handle that process. You are incorrect about it distracting anything positive. The people that are against us, are against us regardless of the name. If someone tells you that they'd "like us" or "support us " or "not fight us" if only we'd stop the "name issue", they are a bold face liar. Anyone that argues with us over the name isn't ever going to be a "friend of UL". So, if your panties get balled up because you think own name battle ____es off some folks... you need to wear some loose fitting undergarments until you come out of the unrealistic state of "who cares about UL".

I'm not going to say that someone standing in front of me one day isn't going to get their jack crushed because I don't like them. I just cannot guarantee that won't happen. But, for the most part, I go about my business and when it comes to our school "name", I laugh off the outside knucklehead that gets wound up about what we call ourselves and the fact we try to get media to go along. You need to try that too. Just chill out, and stop making up BS about how "we need to stop attempting to get our preferred name out in as wide and large of a promotion as we wish to". "That" is the "this isn't a big deal thing". It's the outside group that doesn't want us to use the nicknames that need to stop whining. And most importantly, if it doesn't sink into your head as to which side needs to stop whining... you weren't on the right side to begin with.

I'm only answering this because you completely missed the point on everything I've been saying, and then used quotation marks around random words to make it sound like things I said. I'm sorry that you, the passionate fan, don't understand the point I was making. Resorting to saying I'm in some state of "who cares about UL" is just ridiculous. I 100% support UL and any endeavor they wish to partake in to change the name of the university or perception of the university. I 100% support any person's right to call the university, teams, and anything else whatever they want. What is stupid, and only serves to hurt the university, is getting enraged at a random person for using the official name of the university. I'm not talking about Lafayette Leopards or anything else used to tarnish the actual names and nicknames of the university. There is a process for getting these things done, and stomping your feet and whining hasn't gotten certain fans anywhere other than creating a whole new batch of people that will try to hold it down. As far as getting my "jack crushed", you are welcome to try next time you are behind me. Until then, if you're going to go on a three paragraph rant please at least do it about the things I actually said.

[Turbine]

False, pretty much on all counts. But believe whatever you would like. If that were the case, there would be no debate about Redskins, and any school in Texas could decide they wanted to be called Texas.

Wrong and here is why.

1) Texas is taken as an collegiate nickname.
2) Any other Texas attempt would create automatic presumption of UT and generate zero fan support.

Redskins is a red herring.


On the flip side:

Louisiana is taken as an collegiate nickname by UL.

[Hammer58]

Mainly because it's ridiculous that you keep comparing this university to other universities that have actual legal things in place to allow them to be called what they'd like to be called. Until "we", as in UL fans, UL alumni, UL students, Bob from down the road, or anybody else that associates with the university, have that in place, all I'm saying is it's ridiculous to want to burn someone at the stake for using the references the school actually provides for. If we get the laws changed, then by all means, rip someone's head off for refusing to call us by the correct name. Until then, it just makes the person look like a _____, and reflects that upon all the other fans.

So do you get this agitated and animated when we are called "Lafayette"? After all, that is not the legal name of the university. How about the use of the Lafayette College Leopards logo repeatedly by ESPN to represent our team? Three Bowl victories and they still confuse us with a small d1aa program. Is that the respect you believe we will get with winning?

[justafan83]

Wrong and here is why.

1) Texas is taken as an collegiate nickname.
2) Any other Texas attempt would create automatic presumption of UT and generate zero fan support.

Redskins is a red herring.


On the flip side:

Louisiana is taken as an collegiate nickname by UL.

Do you think Texas is taken as a collegiate nickname because they called dibs on it, or perhaps there might be a law protecting it?

[Turbine]

Do you think Texas is taken as a collegiate nickname because they called dibs on it, or perhaps there might be a law protecting it?

There is no law protecting "Texas" there can't be, "Texas" is a state.

Only context and everyday use can protect the Texas brand/association for the university.

Being "of" something does not a protection make.

No law can ever say "Texas means University of Texas" only contextual use can create that connection.

Only one university in Louisiana has the potential to establish contextual association with the stand alone word Louisiana.

[Just1More]

I'm only answering this because you completely missed the point on everything I've been saying, and then used quotation marks around random words to make it sound like things I said. I'm sorry that you, the passionate fan, don't understand the point I was making. Resorting to saying I'm in some state of "who cares about UL" is just ridiculous. I 100% support UL and any endeavor they wish to partake in to change the name of the university or perception of the university. I 100% support any person's right to call the university, teams, and anything else whatever they want. What is stupid, and only serves to hurt the university, is getting enraged at a random person for using the official name of the university. I'm not talking about Lafayette Leopards or anything else used to tarnish the actual names and nicknames of the university. There is a process for getting these things done, and stomping your feet and whining hasn't gotten certain fans anywhere other than creating a whole new batch of people that will try to hold it down. As far as getting my "jack crushed", you are welcome to try next time you are behind me. Until then, if you're going to go on a three paragraph rant please at least do it about the things I actually said.

I didn't miss jack squat. I read and understood you completely. I didn't have to put words in your mouth... and my quotes marks weren't quoting you. I'll jack whoever needs it. And I don't ask permission. You're on here... another damn name thread creator... stomping your feet and whining about the few individuals that overreact when the name misuses occur. Who gives a ____? Do you think your Johnny come lately name behavior demands are something this forum needs another preaching on?

You, my friend, are not qualified to debate the name. You have way more questions to clear up than you have a message to contribute. So Please... get the history straight... and don't worry your little ___ about the name. When we say "UL", you say "UL". Got it?!

[RiverRanchMan]

I agree the vast majority of fans support both schools in Lafayette Parish because of family ties, although this past year represented the first that UL attire out sold LSU in this Parish as per the head of the Lafayette Retailers Association. My experience has been just the opposite as for as which fan base represents the minority and which fan base represents the majority. First, I didn't see a minority stand up and cheer on the video from WBRZ at the LSU game when UL lost to Jackson State. I guess all those Tiger Baseball fans represent a small minority?

I often hear LSU fans could care less about what happens in Lafayette with Cajun athletics. Yet, there was no shortage of LSU fans, students and other supporters knocking the Cajuns on twitter along the way. And because many fans of other programs like McNeese State, Louisiana Tech, ULM and other state schools are as you say LSU fans as well, that number of UL haters is much larger than you or other LSU fans will ever agree. I think that video only solidified what many UL fans have felt about LSU for a long time, along as the Tigers are in the national headlines they are an easy group to get along with. But if at any time it's not LSU programs in the limelight like NCAA Basketball Tournament, the Super Regional's and the Softball World Series, the comments start popping up on twitter, face book pages and the comment sections online under newspaper articles. It sure didn't seem like a minority this past year.

For the record, I watch LSU Baseball and Football because I enjoy both. I met Coach Miles for the first time last year and spoke to him. I thought he was a good guy and enjoyed the conversation. I also think Coach Mainieri is a class guy and Alex Bregman and several other LSU athletes are class kids as well. They were all on twitter wishing UL well against Ole Miss and Mississippi State. Too bad their fan base couldn't follow their example.

I know some people on this board can't go a day without mentioning LSU and I really don't care to read it. But when I read an LSU fan saying they are really the minority when it comes to hating the Cajun, the antidotal evidence has been overwhelming this past sport season that it is quite the opposite.

Seems like I was referring to LSU fans in the LAFAYETTE area. I am sure there are LSU fans outside of Acadiana who see UL baseball & softball as a threat and thrive on their shortcomings. I have season tickets for UL football, basketball & LSU football. I have customers I offer the tickets to that will not attend a UL sporting event because of the number of LSU haters that attend such events. Regardless, in the Lafayette area, most people do support both schools, although the further away you get from the city of Lafayette, so does loyalty to UL.

[RedBug58]

Seems like I was referring to LSU fans in the LAFAYETTE area. I am sure there are LSU fans outside of Acadiana who see UL baseball & softball as a threat and thrive on their shortcomings. I have season tickets for UL football, basketball & LSU football. I have customers I offer the tickets to that will not attend a UL sporting event because of the number of LSU haters that attend such events. Regardless, in the Lafayette area, most people do support both schools, although the further away you get from the city of Lafayette, so does loyalty to UL.

That is changing.

[Turbine]

I have customers I offer the tickets to that will not attend a UL sporting event because of the number of LSU haters that attend such events. Regardless, in the Lafayette area, most people do support both schools, although the further away you get from the city of Lafayette, so does loyalty to UL.

How would anyone, "anyone" know?

Regardless, now your talking about 40 years and a few generations of free for the taking marketing and it's effects on your perception. (accurate I might add)

UL still hasn't decided to market to Acadiana, again.

[justafan83]

I didn't miss jack squat. I read and understood you completely. I didn't have to put words in your mouth... and my quotes marks weren't quoting you. I'll jack whoever needs it. And I don't ask permission. You're on here... another damn name thread creator... stomping your feet and whining about the few individuals that overreact when the name misuses occur. Who gives a ____? Do you think your Johnny come lately name behavior demands are something this forum needs another preaching on?

You, my friend, are not qualified to debate the name. You have way more questions to clear up than you have a message to contribute. So Please... get the history straight... and don't worry your little ___ about the name. When we say "UL", you say "UL". Got it?!

You sound like one tough bad-ss. I'm sorry you still can't understand my posts. You, my friend, are a moron.

[justafan83]

There is no law protecting "Texas" there can't be, "Texas" is a state.

Only context and everyday use can protect the Texas brand/association for the university.

Being "of" something does not a protection make.

No law can ever say "Texas means University of Texas" only contextual use can create that connection.

Only one university in Louisiana has the potential to establish contextual association with the stand alone word Louisiana.

http://www.utexas.edu/trademarks/protected-marks

See that little trademark after "Texas"? There's a law protecting that.

[basinbear]

http://www.utexas.edu/trademarks/protected-marks

See that little trademark after "Texas"? There's a law protecting that.

See that little trademark after "Louisiana" on ever piece of fan apparel sold?