Louisiana vs. UL Laf Louisiana (ESPN)

[AirBill]

Why would the pursuit of success and the name be mutually exclusive?

Not saying that they aren't. Just that it seems like more people get worked up over the university's name rather than how successful (or not successful) the teams are doing. If we take care of business on the field, or on the court, or on the diamond, the name issue will take care of itself.

So relax. Support the Cajuns. Wear red. When making a major purchase, buy from Cajun supporters.

Advice I think we all can agree upon.

[California Cajun]

_ Not saying that they aren't. Just that it seems like more people get worked up over the university's name rather than how successful (or not successful) the teams are doing. If we take care of business on the field, or on the court, or on the diamond, the name issue will take care of itself.




Advice I think we all can agree upon. _

I get worked up over the university's name because I'm a California native and and I'm frustrated that I can't get friends and relatives to understand or show any interest of where I went to school. So my background probably explains in part why I have a radical slant on this subject. Obviously I see the opportunity to alleviate the "sleeping giant" syndrome.

I do think we can turn this region red by making it worth a supporter's while to support the Cajuns. Recently I've incurred some major expenses, and I made it a point to purchase from some businesses who have associated themselves primarily with UL for a long time in good times and bad. There is a lot of money and a lot of potential here, I believe more so than in many places who have managed to host some very successful college programs.

[AirBill]

If you're talking about using it as a tool to improve fan passion and increase the following, that I can agree with. I think that, given the meager results from the football and basketball teams, however, the level of support we have is pretty good. But I'm pickin' up what you're layin' down.

As a footnote, I live in Wisconsin these days, and the media refers to the Badgers as UW-Madison in all non-athletics references, but simply Wisconsin or UW where sports are concerned. Food for thought.

[RaginDetroitCajun]

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.

Houston, you and I are always on the same page when it comes comes to our Louisiana name. 3 years after your post it is amazing that it is worse than ever with regard to ESPN. Most folks on this site have said when you win the name will follow. Well I guess ESPN did not get the memo. The week of our bowl game they were flashing Louisiana on the screen and again it turned out to be Louisiana College, not UL. WTF? I have grown to hate ESPN because of this subject alone. I now think they are doing this to be vindictive or sinister. I am not sure why, but I think that they have this "we are ESPN" attitude and you can not tell us what to call you. If someone on this board has spoke with Scott Farmer about the name issue and ESPN please respond here on this board of what is the reason. I want to call Scott and get the answer from him if I have to, he must know something. Even the play by play guys on ESPN seemed to wonder, the jerseys say Louisiana, The PA and all officals on the field call us Louisiana, the coaches shirts say Louisiana, the cheerleaders say Louisiana, 50,000 red shirts in the Superdome say Louisiana, their media guide and program say Louisiana and the AD says they are Louisiana, so why in the hell are we calling them what they don't want to be called? About the game itself, I was so excited and nervous at the end I still have not calmed down. I would have been heartbroken because we should have won that game going away. Because of mistakes and unfair calls i.e. 4th down interference (late call), when the game should have been over, it came down to the last play. In the end, justice was served, those 2 calls against against SDSU (on the 2 point conversion and the 5 yder. on the field goal) are very rare calls and both were critical. I think Louisiana should have won 37 - 17, I guess we wanted to give the nation some drama. Lol.

[CajunRed]

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.

Bite us.

[USL1970]

On the university's official website, "UL Lafayette" is used extensively, even in the athletics section.

ESPN got Louisiana - Lafayette from our communications/marketing department.

Only the state and adminstration can get this changed.

[Lexhead]

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.

All valid points, but here is a well meant suggestion: YOU drop it. If it bothers you, don't read these name threads. Know your place. Just leave the rest of us who want to agitate for change alone. But let me just say that when we prevail I want you to keep wearing your ULL cap.