Louisiana vs. UL Laf Louisiana (ESPN)

[CajunFun]

_ I gotta agree with HoustonCajun here. I generally don't like the UL-L arguments, but I believe HCajun's point brings up a disturbing trend that most everyone here refuses to realize. We ARE NOT the "University of Louisiana" to almost everyone else in the country. And we won't be until we (the admin) at least try to declare it so.

Seeing things like "UL LAF" is beyond ridiculous (add in the fact that LC was called Louisiana, and I just start puking in my mouth). Don't get me wrong, I'm not one of those "we should have stayed USL" guys, but this is starting to get silly. And it would be nice if T-Joe would show his face on athletics(we're waiting...).

When will this all end? _

Back when we got the name change, I realized that no one in Louisiana controlled our name, the Leg couldn't control our name, the Regents couldn't, the UL System couldn't.

I realized there is is only one group that can change our name: the AP. Once they start calling us "Louisiana," it will all be over. I also knew that we had a powerful inside contact at the AP (alas, no longer).

So back then, we had it lined up that the AP would call us "Louisiana". That was from NY, in the AP HQ.

But... someone in Martin Hall nixed it. Long story.

Anyway, the AP will decide. But they will decide once our conference starts using it. And no conference containing ULM and housed in New Orleans will ever call us "Louisiana."

So, again, I just wish you guys & gals would drop it. All that complaining does nothing, but distract us from more important stuff.

When we get in a different conference, it will all take care of itself.

But not before.

[CajunZ1]

Anyway, the AP will decide. But they will decide once our conference starts using it. And no conference containing ULM and housed in New Orleans will ever call us "Louisiana."

When we get in a different conference, it will all take care of itself.

But not before. _

I completely agree with this.

And I'm aware complaining about it does mostly no good, but HoustonCajun brought up a good point.

[BrudaCajun]

I got a great one for you guys, check out the calender. LOL what BS

http://www.sportsline.com/collegebas...teams/page/NTX

[RaginDetroitCajun]

_ Hey, RDC, nice info! What you say makes a lot of sense. Did you speak to Vitale personally or hear someone else talk to him? If he really said that (and I am not doubting you), that is awesome. We need to get him to come down to Lafayette to speak. _

thanks for the good words. I live by logic, it seems to work real well. Like I explained, he comes to detroit often for charity, book signings and just to visit. He is very approachable when he is here in detroit, went to see him and even got a free book. I remembered how highly he talked about Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns during the 2000 and 2005 ncaa's. The 2000 season he was at his best going on and on how Jessie Evans and the cajuns were really slighted by the 13th seed and that how some really questionable calls against them vs Tennesse denied them a sweet 16 spot or maybe even a final 4 with some breaks. I would like to have a tape of the 2000 ncaas when we were Louisiana getting all that national attention. Maybe utube can bring it up. In 2005 dickie went on about how Rick Pitino and Louisiana were both slighted by the seeding, and said Pinto's team (the other UL) should have been a #1 seed and The Ragin' Cajuns should have been #11 and never should have been playing one another in the 1st round. He did not say in 2005 that we could have made the final 4 with breaks like he did in 2000. Then when I turned on CBS, Clark Kellog (the black guy incase I got his name wrong) had Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns as his "dark horse" to get to the final 4. I was shocked that someone other than Dickie V would go out on a limb for Louisiana like that. I really liked him (Clark) ever since then. It was awesome! I know and he (Dickie V) knows that he rubs some people the wrong way, but im here to tell you that he is real as it gets. I think he relates to the Louisiana's of the world because he knows what is was like at the university of Detroit and all it took to elevate that program. He is very busy and had some health issues but if he had the chance I am sure he would be glad to come to the university of Louisiana. I really hope and pray we get to the ncaa's this year and maybe he would come down in March for a story.

[rcarte3]

_ Back when we got the name change, I realized that no one in Louisiana controlled our name, the Leg couldn't control our name, the Regents couldn't, the UL System couldn't.

I realized there is is only one group that can change our name: the AP. Once they start calling us "Louisiana," it will all be over. I also knew that we had a powerful inside contact at the AP (alas, no longer).

So back then, we had it lined up that the AP would call us "Louisiana". That was from NY, in the AP HQ.

But... someone in Martin Hall nixed it. Long story.

Anyway, the AP will decide. But they will decide once our conference starts using it. And no conference containing ULM and housed in New Orleans will ever call us "Louisiana."

So, again, I just wish you guys & gals would drop it. All that complaining does nothing, but distract us from more important stuff.

When we get in a different conference, it will all take care of itself.

But not before. _

I think both the Legislature and/or UL System board control how you use the name. You had to get permission from the legislature to do the name change to begin with. If they didn't control the name you could have called yourself the University of Louisiana. But there was a big stink when this all came up years ago and thats when they created the University of Louisiana System and said all schools in that system could change their name but they have to use the city they are located in as part of the name. A state school can't just change their name because they want too. You have to get permission or approval from someone higher up.

[RealCajun70]

_ Fun,

If you say the second is stronger than I'm going with that. You could make it into a T-shirt with "L'Université de Louisiane" on the front and "We are Louisiana" on the back. It would look pretty cool and unique. _

Cool..yes but unique it is not. Marshal University is famous for their "WE are Marshall" chant. Unique in my opinon would be getting the stands to chant the old french saying that they try and renew every year( sorry it doesnt come to mind.....the actual words). Unique to me is something that no one does. I am all for seperating however the biggest problem is that academically LSU is in their own sys while the rest of us (maybe not TECH) are in the "LOUISIANA" system. Im not sure if we can afford it or if the State will even let us start our own system. UL should have stayed USL, again my opinon, even though we were all in the same system ( USL, NSU, Northeastern (which was ULM) and SLU) we were the only one with the U first. Despite fighting for our name change for almost 10 years now people still know us as USL. Unfortunaley the majority of this state see's only one State school (LSU). The biggest thing that can help UL is to get out of the Sunbelt. I say get into C-USA, if nothing else that renews the TULANE series which would sell out everytime it was at THE SWAMP. Or even better make us the 4th Louisiana team to be in a conference by ourselves (LSU=SEC, La Tech= WAC, Tulane=CUSA). But if non of this happens all i want is this damn streak of not going to a bowl game to end. We should fill '09's non conference game before LSU with TECH and prove to the Indy Bowl that they made a mistake. Again all of this is just my opinon.

[California Cajun]

_ I just saw a partial score on ESPN that UL was leading 69-40. BUT, more interestingly is how ESPN showed the score:

LOUISIANA 40 UL Laf 69

It is obvious we still have a LONG way to go on this name issue on a national level. UL needs to get more aggressive and take a position on this. It is totally rediculous.

And, while we are at it, it is time to find our own separation in Louisiana from the other schools. LSU certainly has its separation. And, LA Tech has developed its separation in the WAC and now another bowl game while we sit home. In the meantime, UL is nicely joined at the hip with ULM and stuck in the SBC. And, we continue to play Louisiana teams each year in Northwestern State, McNeese and now Southern. Have we really left the Gulf States Conference, er Southland? Why is it so difficult for UL to find that separation? Why are we always at the low end of the totem pole? Why are we screwed every year in sports as CajunFun pointed out in his article? Why do we have a loser mentality every year, expecting the worse to happen and, of course, it usually does?

When does all of this change? When will our new President come out with a 5Year or 10 Year Plan and outline where we want to go and how we are going to get there? When will UL make a formal announcement of all the things we have been hearing about for a year now, i.e. RCAF, baseball and softball stadium enhancements/replacements, football stadium improvements, and other needed facility improvements? And what about the big signage that was supposed to be built this past year? Everything continues to be hush hush and the rumor mill goes crazy, but still no word from our leaders.

Will Dr. S push the envelope for use of Louisiana and UL athletically? Will we just continue as Louisiana's Ragin Cajuns, Louisiana-Lafayette, UL Laf and U LA LA indefinately?

Seeing the Louisiana vs. UL Laf tonight on ESPN is sickening. It is time for UL to do something and make a major statement about who we are and the things that truly set us apart from the rest of the state. And then, take steps to separate ourselves athletically and academically. We can no longer afford to be the "sleeping giant" and "best kept secret" as UL is often called. _

I have hit on these themes for years, but I do separate this year from previous years because we have the opportunity of new leadership and the football program impressed me with the way they stepped up to the challenge before injuries killed them.

The missing ingredient is a holdover from the past. We just aren't playing well enough in the major sports to command the kind of attention we need from the people whose attention we need to get. That is what is needed to wake up the sleeping giant.

Although I see improvement, I remain disappointed by the lack of communication by our new leaders. The average fan can't be expected to understand what UL can do or what it needs or wants to do unless it is explained to them. For fans going to BCS schools, many never knew a time when the niche wasn't in place while many of our fans can't remember a time when we had a niche. We can't understand why schools we have been associated with in the past such as Tech and McNeese have been to bowl games and we haven't. I think Dr. Authement is the reason, but I could be all wet. If anyone knows, please correct me.

As far as the name is concerned, there is no way anyone who got it in a legal and constitutional manner like we did and had it ripped out from under us the way we did will ever give up, no matter how long it takes or how discouraging it might get. I know instinctively that the pursuit of what is rightfully ours will never end and it will inevitably be achieved. That's a premise I'm so sure of I would stake my life on it. Do I ever scratch my head and wonder what the hell they are doing sometimes? Yep. Do I wear stuff with "Lafayette" prominently displayed? Hell NO!

[barisaxman]

I got a great one for you guys, check out the calender. LOL what BS

http://www.sportsline.com/collegebas...teams/page/NTX

Did anyone go to that link?!? Not only did it have us as "SWLA", when I went to our
"homepage" it listed our enrollment as 1,390!! What the HELL? It's hard enough
making a point when there is accurate info, but this is ridiculous! Our enrollment is larger
than several SEC schools, but you wouldn't think that the way we are treated by the
national media.

[California Cajun]

_ Did anyone go to that link?!? Not only did it have us as "SWLA", when I went to our
"homepage" it listed our enrollment as 1,390!! What the HELL? It's hard enough
making a point when there is accurate info, but this is ridiculous! Our enrollment is larger
than several SEC schools, but you wouldn't think that the way we are treated by the
national media. _

We got to win more games to get people's attention.

Both double-directional and hyphenated names are a dime a dozen in the long-run with few exceptions (UCLA, UNLV).

[DestinCajun]

Originally Posted by barisaxman
Did anyone go to that link?!? Not only did it have us as "SWLA", when I went to our "homepage" it listed our enrollment as 1,390!! What the HELL? It's hard enough making a point when there is accurate info, but this is ridiculous! Our enrollment is larger than several SEC schools, but you wouldn't think that the way we are treated by the national media. _

We got to win more games to get people's attention. Both double-directional and hyphenated names are a dime a dozen in the long-run with few exceptions (UCLA, UNLV). _

You are correct, we need to make noise with wins but the info at the linked site is the result of sloppy work by a lazy or ignorant employee. Plain and simple.

[rcarte3]

_ Did anyone go to that link?!? Not only did it have us as "SWLA", when I went to our
"homepage" it listed our enrollment as 1,390!! What the HELL? It's hard enough
making a point when there is accurate info, but this is ridiculous! Our enrollment is larger
than several SEC schools, but you wouldn't think that the way we are treated by the
national media. _

Will you stop complaining about what they call ULL. YES they should know its not SWLA and the enrollment thing is probably just a typo. This inferiority complex ULL fans have has got to stop. I think that is part of the reason you don't get respect is because you guys keep complaining you aren't being called the University of Louisiana. YES whether you like it or not or realize it you deep down feel you are inferior because of a name. YOU ARE NOT the University of Louisiana until the Legislature and/or the University of Louisiana System Board gives you permission to do so. You know if you go out there and win games and kick peoples butts in football, basketball, or whatever sport you could call yourself the University of Crappolla and the media will pay attention to you. I don't see other directional schools complaining about their name. They just go out and play for goodness sake. The Univerisity of South Flordia got pretty high in the polls in 2007 and did pretty well this year and they don't complain. Who knows if you stop complaining about it and win they just might over time call you the University of Louisiana. Some people may screw up your name just to get a raise out of you because they know you will hit the ceiling. GET OVER the name thing and just try and help make your university the best it can be not matter what the name.

[rcarte3]

_ We got to win more games to get people's attention.

Both double-directional and hyphenated names are a dime a dozen in the long-run with few exceptions (UCLA, UNLV). _

Winning is the key not the name. You know no one knew who UNLV was in basketball until guess what they started winning. By the way here is the problem with football at ULL. ULL has played football for 106 years with a .469 winning pct. (466-496-31) and in the 2000's so far .359 (36-67). Enough said.