Future Recruiting

[Clutch0364]

_ Dude, Boise State only averages around 30K because they can only hold 32K. I have been there, played falg football on the blue turf with Ian Johnson and co. the year they beat Oklahoma. I know all about Boise and what it offers.

I am speaking about the lack of interest this comminuty has in UL and the lack of effort UL has put forth to gain the support.

Tech is a better football program than us. They do a better job of getting finacial support from boosters than us. For those of us who say we have a better overall athletic program than Tech, I would like to see proof. _

LISTEN...what I was getting at is that the lack of interest is because of lack of success. If we have success out attendance will sky rocket.

And I can careless who you played flag football with or where, it doesn't mean much in this argument...I could have said Tulsa where they barely average 20k or an endless amount of other teams. There are only a hand full of teams that have astronomical attendance figures. La Tech had a better season than us last year but there program is not that far ahead of ours, regardless of what many may think. They are having a good recruiting season, oh well, if everyone would stop worrying about what Tech, ULM, or even lsu is doing and worry about us we might get somewhere.

[RCAJUN90]

I am speaking about the lack of interest this comminuty has in UL and the lack of effort UL has put forth to gain the support.

Tech is a better football program than us. They do a better job of getting finacial support from boosters than us. For those of us who say we have a better overall athletic program than Tech, I would like to see proof. _

The lack of interest is due to the lack of success. It is rather amazing we get what we do for the miserable product we put out on the field.

Tech indeed is creating the separation they have set out to achieve. Their best move was the WAC. BTW you will not get any proof but only conjecture and opinion stated as fact. These are the same folks that said Tech wouldn't last in the WAC and play down their recruiting class.

[RCAJUN90]

_ LISTEN...what I was getting at is that the lack of interest is because of lack of success. If we have success out attendance will sky rocket.

And I can careless who you played flag football with or where, it doesn't mean much in this argument...I could have said Tulsa where they barely average 20k or an endless amount of other teams. There are only a hand full of teams that have astronomical attendance figures. La Tech had a better season than us last year but there program is not that far ahead of ours, regardless of what many may think. They are having a good recruiting season, oh well, if everyone would stop worrying about what Tech, ULM, or even lsu is doing and worry about us we might get somewhere. _

It is amazing the amount of support the program gets. We are missing the key ingredient "Success"! With that we would get 30,000.

I don't think any one argue Tech is far ahead of us. They do seem to be stepping it up with their Bowl win, vision for the future, coaching and recruiting class. I think many of us are upset because that should be us not them and if we do what we have been doing for the past 20 years they will leave us in the dust. We are worried about us. Let's hope the powers at Martin Hall are also.

[Clutch0364]

I don't think any one argue Tech is far ahead of us. They do seem to be stepping it up with their Bowl win, vision for the future, coaching and recruiting class. I think many of us are upset because that should be us not them and if we do what we have been doing for the past 20 years they will leave us in the dust. We are worried about us. Let's hope the powers at Martin Hall are also. _

They are ahead of us but far ahead of us, NO! Recruiting class stars and rankings are overrated. Sure it looks good on paper but let me use this example...Utah's recruiting class from 4 years ago that produced a team that won a BCS game and guess what that class was not ranked that highly.

Teams like Tulsa, Boise, Fresno, BYU, and TCU are way ahead of us but teams like LA Tech, Ball State, and Central Michigan are not way ahead of us.

Do we have a long way to go, a blind man can see that but some of the programs that you and many others think are far ahead of us, really aren't.

Before someone calls me out about being a K-sipper and all that I have been one of the more vocal people about getting rid of Bustle. I just know what is and what isn't.

[Cajunsmike]

_ The lack of interest is due to the lack of success. It is rather amazing we get what we do for the miserable product we put out on the field.

Tech indeed is creating the separation they have set out to achieve. Their best move was the WAC. BTW you will not get any proof but only conjecture and opinion stated as fact. These are the same folks that said Tech wouldn't last in the WAC and play down their recruiting class. _

WAC has been good for Tech in football. It has not been good for them in other sports. If you only care about football, then it was a good move. Think about all the other athletes who work as hard as football players. This may not be in their best interests It may have been a good move for us for football but none of our other coaches were for it and that is one reason we did not pursue it.

[IHateLaState]

For those who know I'd like to have some rational discussion of the facilities and benefits of UL compared to Tech..

here is what i know... We offer an Indoor Practice Facility.. a quality weight room... The turf is new and attractive... I have heard our dorm/living facilities are bad....We will bring 20,000+ in bad years and we can all speculate what a winner would attract... Im thinking 28,000+

What I recall about Tech, and it has been a few years since I have venutred up there..

No Indoor Facility, dont know about their weight room, their stadium reminded me of a Texas High School stadium, and I have seen maybe 25,000 in the best of days...

Those are not facts.. just my view... again for those really in the know and without all the emotion, what is a valid comparison of what we and they offer???

[DestinCajun]

WAC has been good for Tech in football. It has not been good for them in other sports. If you only care about football, then it was a good move. Think about all the other athletes who work as hard as football players. This may not be in their best interests. It may have been a good move for us for football but none of our other coaches were for it and that is one reason we did not pursue it. _

You are correct about all other sports but I question why it would have been good even for our football program. IMO it cannot be said that it would have with 100% certainty due to things like the lack of support from our old regime, our sparse budget and a disinterested fanbase.

At the same time I also believe we have for the most part put these past few years to better use by expanding the budget, building and improving facilities, recruiting better and hustling more fan support. This has all occurred while we have been in the "lowly" Sun Belt. We'll see where this all takes us but it won't likely be out west.

[Clutch0364]

_ You are correct about all other sports but I question why it would have been good even for our football program. IMO it cannot be said that it would have with 100% certainty due to things like the lack of support from our old regime, our sparse budget and a disinterested fanbase.

At the same time I also believe we have for the most part put these past few years to better use by expanding the budget, building and improving facilities, recruiting better and hustling more fan support. This has all occurred while we have been in the "lowly" Sun Belt. We'll see where this all takes us but it won't likely be out west. _

The WAC argument is so pointless because no one knows how it would have been for us. Could it have been good, yes but if we were in the WAC and playing at the Idaho level how would it have helped us? To many variables to make a statement that it would have been good or bad for us.

[LaTechDawg]

_ For those who know I'd like to have some rational discussion of the facilities and benefits of UL compared to Tech..

here is what i know... We offer an Indoor Practice Facility.. a quality weight room... The turf is new and attractive... I have heard our dorm/living facilities are bad....We will bring 20,000+ in bad years and we can all speculate what a winner would attract... Im thinking 28,000+

What I recall about Tech, and it has been a few years since I have venutred up there..

No Indoor Facility, dont know about their weight room, their stadium reminded me of a Texas High School stadium, and I have seen maybe 25,000 in the best of days...

Those are not facts.. just my view... again for those really in the know and without all the emotion, what is a valid comparison of what we and they offer??? _

Football improvements:

"In the summer of 2006 Joe Aillet Stadium received a new surface as Fieldturf Mono -- which is considered the top of the line artificial turf -- was installed by FieldTurf Tarkett. A totally new lighting system was also installed that same summer as the top-of-the-line television quality lights were installed, replacing the old system.'

Baseball improvements:

"In 2008, a brand-new scoreboard was installed beyond the right field wall and a smaller scoreboard display behind home plate. The smaller display faces the outfield and the University Park Apartments that sit beyond the left field fence. "

Weight Room Improvements:
"Installed on May 17, 2005, the newest equipment replaced the older stuff thanks to an additional $85,000, as the Mailman delivered once again. '

Womens Bowling improvements:
"Built by the Brunswick Corporation, the six lane state-of-the-art facility was completed in August 2008.

Unlike The Kennel, the new bowling alley contains a computerized scoring system. Flat screen televisions and touch screen monitors at each lane display up-to-the-second scores. "

Mens Golf Course:
"Squire Creek Country Club and Golf Course in Choudrant, La., serves as Louisiana Tech's home course and gives the Bulldogs golf team one of premiere home courses in the country.

In fact, the 7,105-yard, Par 72 course was recognized by Golf Digest in January of 2004 as the fifth best new private course in the nation. Golf Digest also ranks Squire Creek as the No. 1 golf course in Louisiana. "

Track and Field:
"Beginning in March 2008, construction began on a new track facility adjacent to Joe Aillet Stadium at Louisiana Tech University. "

Tennis Improvements:
"Situated next to the Joe Aillet Field House and the Jim Mize Track and Field Complex at Louisiana Tech University are eight brand new lighted tennis courts."

Basketball Improvements:
"The 8,000-seat Thomas Assembly Center received a new state-of-the-art Maplewood floor in the summer of 2007 thanks to the generous donation of Bulldog legend Karl Malone. Aptly named the Karl Malone Court, the hardwood is made of the same material that all NBA practice facilities boast."

Jumbotron:
"The scoreboard, set to be in place for the 2009 season, will cost an estimated $2 million.
Funding will be provided by corporate sponsorships, donations and other monies from the university’s athletic coffers.

“The new state-of-the-art video board will absolutely transform the gameday experience for our fans,” Dooley said. “Video replays in high-definition, premium sound system for music, cheers and announcements and entertainment during timeouts and between snaps will breathe life into our stadium like never before.”

The video board alone will measure 27 feet in height and 48 feet in width. Including 4-foot tall and 48-foot wide advertising streaming boards located on top and bottom, the entire scoreboard will measure 41 feet by 48 feet."

Residence Upgrades:
Include new University Park Apartments with 2 and 4 bedroom floorplans. First park houses 500 students. Additional apartments completed in time for the 2008-2009 academic year houses an additional 500 students.

[DestinCajun]

What I recall about Tech, and it has been a few years since I have venutred up there..

No Indoor Facility, dont know about their weight room, their stadium reminded me of a Texas High School stadium, and I have seen maybe 25,000 in the best of days...

Those are not facts.. just my view... again for those really in the know and without all the emotion, what is a valid comparison of what we and they offer??? _

I think you nailed it. In fairness I believe in the last couple of years they have been seriously improving their facilities (about the time all ULS schools got the okay to transfer more money from their general budgets to athletics). Up until then they had not done much of anything.

[billbeck451]

I thinnk that our tale hasn't been told yet. It has been less than a year since we got a new administration who is coming in and having to change things that Dr A. had 30 or so years to cement into place. We have already seen many improvements both to facilities and to the overall attitude that Dr. Savoie had brought to the campus.

[DestinCajun]

The WAC argument is so pointless because no one knows how it would have been for us. Could it have been good, yes but if we were in the WAC and playing at the Idaho level how would it have helped us? To many variables to make a statement that it would have been good or bad for us. _

Clutch, for the various reasons I listed above IMO the "Idaho level" is exactly where we would have been playing (not to mention in far off places like Idaho that no one gives a ratsass about).

The number of variables and the pointlessness of arguments has never kept any of us from posting opinions on anything. Check it out if you don't believe me.