2002-2005 Athletic Initiatives

[NewsCopy]

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19/640 UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA - LAFAYETTE


31 (1368) Indoor Athletic Practice Facility,
32 Planning and Construction
33 (Lafayette)
34 Payable from Fees and Self-Generated Revenues $ 3,602,000
35 The capital outlay budget request for this project was submitted after the November
36 1st deadline, but it has been approved by the Joint Legislative Committee on Capital
37 Outlay pursuant to the provisions of R.S. 39:112.
38

[Turbine]

Originally posted by CajunRebel
Turbine, where did you get that plan of Cajun Field and the athletic office? I'd like to get a copy of that if you don't mind. I'd like to play around with it.

I am emailing you a copy of the original.

[NewsCopy]

LOUISIANA La. — In the future, when Louisiana athletes are preparing for a big contest, they won’t have to worry about inclement weather blunting their progress.

The university is moving forward on a multi-purpose indoor practice facility, possibly the most coveted item on the wish list for Ragin’ Cajun coaches in outdoor sports such as football, baseball, softball, soccer and track and field.

“I’ve got the first million dollars (for construction),” University of Louisiana at La. President Dr. Ray Authement said Thursday. “Now I’ve got two or three million to go. It’s now in the capital outlay bill in the state legislature.”

That’s encouraging news for Cajun head football coach Rickey Bustle, whose team had to move preseason practices nine times last summer — out of a possible 30 practices — because of weather problems.

When they went inside in 2002, the Cajuns had to go next door to Bourgeois Hall, or to Blackham Coliseum and the livestock barns behind it and once to the Convention Center adjacent to the Cajundome.

None of those facilities is suitable for getting a team ready for the season, much less a season opener at Texas A&M as the Cajuns had in 2002.

The rest of the story

Bruce Brown
bbrown@theadvertiser.com

[NewsCopy]

METAIRIE -- New Orleans Saints officials couldn't have picked a better day to show off their new $10 million indoor practice facility Wednesday.

As General Manager Mickey Loomis and coach Jim Haslett took reporters and cameramen on a tour of the team's updated training room, locker room and meeting rooms, rain pelted the outdoor practice fields.

But when they led the group into the new indoor practice facility, which will be ready when the Saints open training camp Saturday, the rain came down harder and pounded out a steady beat on the metal roof of the building.

"It has rained just about every day for the last two months," said Haslett, who has pushed for an indoor facility since being named the Saints coach in January 2000. "I think it is vital that you have a facility like that. You don't have to worry about packing up and driving somewhere. It's beneficial any time you can stay on schedule."

The Saints were plagued by rain during their last two training camps at Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, which is one of the reasons the club decided to hold this year's camp at their regular-season training facility.

Haslett said it rained on 10 of the 28 days the Saints were in Thibodaux last summer, putting a severe strain on Nicholls State's soggy practice fields and forcing the team to practice in a cramped basketball gymnasium or busing to New Orleans to work in the Superdome.

"I think it hurts your team every time you miss practice or alter your practice or travel an hour and a half on a bus to practice," Haslett said. "It's not a good environment for practice. It's not the best way to keep something going."

The indoor facility is 420 feet by 220 feet and the roof rises to a peak of 78 feet in the middle of the field. In addition to a regulation playing field made of "FieldTurf," the facility includes a 10,000-square foot weight room and cafeteria. The state put up $6.7 million for the indoor facility with the team paying the balance.

The rest of the story

By SHELDON MICKLES
smickles@theadvocate.com
Advocate sportswriter

[Oldman]

Reading about the saints indoor facility, have anyone heard anything more about the propose facility here? It seems as dough things have just trickled away or died, maybe it's my imagination.

Sorry about the scoop on Jordy, the almighty $ has struck again.........Oh well! I wish the guy luck, but it would have been nice to get him back.

[geauxboy]

construction is to begin asap after footbal season is over.

[Oldman]

Thanks Geauxboy.

[CDeb]

Yes, be patient. Things like this take time.

[Crawfish]

Guys,

Some of you have expressed to me that you were unaware of the progress the University has been making in improving our facilities and raising funds for athletics. Many of these initiatives were discussed last week on BOP's program, but time got the best of them and they did not finish. I had gotten this from Gerald at last week's QB club meeting but I did not have an electronic copy. I tried to scan it but had no luck getting a readable product so I typed it. There may be a few typos because I did not have a whole lot of time to devote to copying it but at least you can tell what is happening. (I have a real job too, LOL) Anyway, for what it is worth here it is:

Athletic Initiatives for Louisiana’s Ragin’ Cajuns Improvements made in the past 15 month:

Ragin’ Cajun Athletic Endowment Advisory Committee was established to oversee all monies donated to athletics. Completed

New $1.4 Million Track and Soccer Field complex to be built beginning November 1, 2003. (paid for by the university) Project in progress

New bleachers erected on the 1st and 3rd base sides of Tigue Moore Field at a cost of $500,000. (paid for by the University) Completed

Brick wall borders on the 1st and 3rd base sides (from the dugouts to the outfield) of Tigue Moore baseball Field. (Supplies donated by Acme Brick and Angelle Concrete) Completed

New $50,000 marquee installed at the athletic complex entrance at the corner of Bertrand & Reinhardt Drive. (donated by AAA signs - Ken Stelly) Completed
Letterman’s walk ($65,000 value) to be created in the football tunnel at Cajun Field with new graphics, lighting and a sound system. (Donations to be made) Project in progress

TV Monitors to be installed inside Cajun Field. (donated by Cox Communications - Steve Creeden) Project in Progress

Initiated the “Support Louisiana’s Ragin Cajuns - Its good for business” campaign. ( Sponsored and promoted by Cox Communications, Daily Advertiser, LEDA, and the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce.) Project in Progress

New weight equipment is being provided (By Body Masters) for the weight room at a value of several thousand dollars. When the weight room is enlarged, Body Masters will donate an additional $100,000 in additional equipment. Project in progress

8 new Schwinn Air Dyne bicycles were donated to the athletic weight room at a value of $5,000. (Donated by Ross Brubacher.) Completed

Football Suites are being re-carpeted and renovated. New Theater style seats are being installed in Suites A and B. (Paid for by the University) Project in progress

The old scoreboard was renovated and is being converted into an information center. (Material and labor donated by Southern Structures) Completed
A new pickup truck was donated as a giveaway for the football season. (Donated by Courtesy Motors.) Completed

9 new murals in Cajun Field were donated by local artists. Ongoing Project

New lights installed at the Lady Cajuns’ Softball Field. (Paid for by the University) Completed

Initiative is underway bringing together a number of construction companies to renovate and enlarge portions of the Athletic Administration Building. Emphasis will be placed on the weight room, the training room, the equipment room, the locker room, and the hall of fame room. Project in Progress

A New Orleans Saints vs. Houston Texans football game is possible at Cajun Field in 2004. Project in Progress

Entrances at Cajun Field (where fans enter the field) have been renovated. Each gate is now available for corporate sponsorships / naming opportunities. Project ongoing

New signage and graphics have been installed in Cajun Field and in the athletic administration building. (Donated by Pixus Digital Printing) Project in Progress

A $3.5 to $4.5 million indoor practice facility will be built. The facility will accommodate football, baseball, basketball, softball, soccer, and track. (will be paid for by the University) Project in Progress

A new walkway was built in the South end zone at Cajun Field. The walkway allows fans to walk from the patron section (west side of the stadium) to the student / visitor section (east side of the stadium). (paid for by the University) Completed

The lobby of the Athletic Administration Building is being renovated to include new flooring, recognition plaques for athletic donors, furniture, and graphics. Project in progress

Increased the Athletic budget by $37,000 through donations in 2003. This increased funding helped result in the # 50 rated recruiting class in the nation. (as compiled by Rivals.com) Project ongoing
Creation of the Athletic Network website by Dr. Ed Dugas, and his son, John. The Athletic Network is reconnecting former athletes, coaches, managers, cheerleaders, etc. to the University and to each other. project ongoing.

Limestone parking added to Cajun Field to better accommodate fans -- these parking areas were previously unusable when there was rain prior to a football game. (paid for by the University) Completed

Several golf tournaments are being formed to benefit athletics -- two in Lafayette, one in Houston, one in New Iberia, one in Dallas, and one in Atlanta. These are projected to raise $250,000 a year. Project in Progress

Students have voted to assess themselves $20 per student per semester to benefit athletics. It is projected that this fee would raise $200,000 - $250,000 annually and would begin in 2004. Project in progress

A minimum parking surcharge fee for all athletic events is being considered. It is projected that this small fee would raise $200,000 - $250,000 annually and would begin in 2004. Project in progress

Eric Maron was hired with his sole responsibility being Athletic Marketing. completed

Gerald Hebert was hired with his sole responsibility being Athletic Development. Completed

Louisiana’s Ragin’ Cajun Discs were donated by Begnaud’s Manufacturing and placed at all entrances to UL Athletic Facilities. Ten discs were donated at a cost of $2500 each. Completed

Wood Flooring and Carpeting donated for all Coaches offices. Completed

Groups are putting together athletics progress presentation meetings in the near future. Mid South Bank -- Regions Bank -- Home Bank -- State Farm --Magnolia Marketing. Project in Progress

The Saints Black and Gold scrimmage was held August 2, 2003 and raised $70,000 for UL athletics. Completed

Information Center (old scoreboard) in the south end zone of Cajun Field will raise $40,000 annually. Completed

Monies being raised for the 1st phase of athletic administration renovation project. A total of $125,000 has been raised so far. Project in progress

The Student Union Program Council (UPC) and the Student Government Association (SGA) are working on projects to promote and inform students about the importance of attending home games. Project in progress

Our Lady of Lourdes Park will be built on the 1st base side of Tigue Moore Field. Lourdes fulfilled payments in August of 2003 for naming rights to the park. Project in progress

Steven RV will donate a $50,000 fifth wheel travel trailer. A raffle will be held with proceeds benefiting athletic recruiting and / or athletic facility improvements. Project in progress

Acme Brick is donating ceramic tile for six rooms at the Earl K. Long Gym and the Athletic Administration Building. Project in progress

A media background banner is being sponsored by MidSouth Bank. The banner is being used for interviews of UL coaches. Completed

A donor Wall of Honor is being installed in the lobby of the Athletic Administration Building to honor and recognize our major gift donors. Project in progress

An outdoor patio was installed at Cajun Field. The initial patio is a promotional item with possible plans to install additional patios for rent / sale to fans. Completed

Operation Kickoff was begun as the 1st phase to establish a $20 million endowment to endow 200 athletic scholarships. Project in progress

With Your help we will continue adding to these accomplishments!

Please help us network with potential athletic donors, help us by volunteering, or help us with a financial or in kind gift. To help in any of these ways, please contact:

Gerald Hebert

Coordinator for Athletic Development

UL Office of Development

P.O. Drawer 43410

Lafayette, La. 70504

Phone: (337) 482-0922

e-mail: Sports@louisiana.edu

[Oldman]

there was a couple they missed on the athletic initiatives:

*Our lady of lourdes park will be built on the 1st base side of tigue moore field.lourdes completed a gift commitment in august of 2003 for naming rights to the park. PROJECT IN PROGRESS

* New light fixtures that will provide much improved field lighting will be installed at tigue moore baseball field, thanks to a $35,000 gift from Stone Energy. PROJECT IN PROGRESS

[Crawfish]

Those are both on the other post...

[RedBug58]

What is the status of the indoor practice facility?
Location? Cost? Timeframe?