2009 Sunbelt Recruiting Rankings

[RCAJUN90]

_ I'm not throwing Jay under the bus... he's a UL trooper and in a pinch with his career to state publically what he truly believes... but yes... he has on several occasions stated directly that fans need to put out the money and support and if not, we are the ones to blame for UL athletic issues. That is incorrect. The pipes are there. The valve operator is the UL admin. I think fans have over-supported for what they've gotten in return.

The focus isn't on Jay, our newspapers, our students, our band, our fans, our athletes, or even our coaches (hired and/or fired by the admin). Our focus has to be on our administrators. If they are as comfortable and arrogant as our past administrators... we will keep getting the same... and you can't blame fans for not liking that. _

I never really liked Jay as an announcer. He is good at the play by play. I'm sure his a great guy. I could do without his little snide comments.

You are 100% correct about it starting with the UL admin. The RCAF will tell us how serious we are about football. Tulane is a good case in point. When they withdrew from the SEC they pretty much said hey we don't care. A Tulane fan I know has told me the admin has said things to the effect they don't care (Don't hold me to that because I didn't hear it personally). I went to a Tulane vs. Texas game a few years back and the old stogies were complaining about the games being held at the other stadium (The name of the outdoor stadium in N.O. escapes me right now). I had a chance to be in a suite and those guys like the Superdome rather empty. If they are not serious come out and tell us so we can go about our lives.

[IHateLaState]

_ I went to a Tulane vs. Texas game a few years back and the old stogies were complaining about the games being held at the other stadium (The name of the outdoor stadium in N.O. escapes me right now).

Tad Gormely Stadium

[CajunFreak]

_ Sometimes, I lose my temper. One of those times is when UL fans are told that they are the problem.

It is remarkable how much support Cajun athletics receives from the public given the absolute, gross mismanagement of the entire athletic department for several decades by inept bureaucrats.

No school in the SBC has the fan support for the majority of sports that we do.

No school in this league, except UL, can produce 30 freakin' thousand for a conference football game.

People like to compare this athletic department to a sleeping giant. That is correct. They are sleeping, a deep, coma-like sleep. The "giant" part of it are the fans. _

Very well said!

[KACajun]

This is the best thread I've seen all year, awesome posts people!!!

[DrumRoll]

_ Ah yes.. The "REAL FAN".... not those who have bought Season tickets for over 25 years and have been to places like Florida, Auburn, Tennesse and ... ahem... the den of inequity in br.. to support the team... Naaa the REAL FAN supports mediocrity without complaint... The REAL FAN never questions a ranking of close to last... The REAL FAN says its ok to be in the middle of the pack of the worst conference in America... ah yes the REAL FAN _

REAL = realistic

Because you would have to be a complete dumbass to think that facilities do not matter in the recruiting process, and that recruiting does not matter in creating an up and coming program. I have not been a UL fan for long enough to understand your pain, but I have seen programs turn things around and understand the reality of what has to happen.

Do miracles occur? Sure they do...



UL is better off trying the tried and true method of "dressing for success" that has worked for several programs, like UConn as an example. A perenial pushover on the football field, invested in facilities, and in 6 years has become a top 25 team. My point was, build top tier facilities, and then expect your program to become top tier.

Stomping your feet about it just wears out your shoes...

PS: Utah beat Alabama with redshirt seniors from the 95th ranked recruiting class in the country in 2003!

[zephyr]

_ Amen brother... great post.... and if I have not been clear my real displeasure IS with the administration. The lack of committment to improve things.. the acceptance of mediocrity for YEARS... I do think the toruble lies with the fans but not for a lack of support...I think we can be blamed for not being more vocal in our displeasure of the way athletics is being run... I think we compare favorably with many of the mid majors attendance wise and that in light of the absymal products that are year in and year out put in front of us... Certainly there are exceptions like softball (missing them today but watching on KLAF... I will be there tonite) and baseball.... but as everyone knows football drives the bus ( to quote Tony) and that product is down right embarrassing... sorry folks but its true..... try being me... hating a&m@br while they are doing what they are doing and supporting my Cajuns.. I will always support them but I wont be quiet about this administration _

But don't you think that the administration HAS committed itself to improvement of the program in recent years. You have improvements such as the indoor practice facility and turf for the field, overall cleaning of the field and they've done improvements every year for the past 2-3 years. The product on the field has been much better but the problem is that it is not consistent. I truly feel if we hadn't been hit by the injury truck last year, we would have won at least 7 games but we will never know. We lead the SBC once again in attendance and are almost certain to do so this year especially with Kansas St. coming into town. Also, you are not shy about your feelings of the current administration. How is it easy to judge them when our president has been in office for not even a year yet and Scott Farmer has been in barely longer. I know that David Walker has been here for a bit but I don't think he truly calls many of the shots.

My initial post was to point out that while it is often difficult to judge these classes at this level, you do need to be disappointed in the overall view of the class itself. We have a couple of guys who will be big contributors for a few years but I am a bit concerned. It was also a bit alarming to see a team that is just entering D-1 play get some highly touted guys.

[zephyr]

_ I'm not throwing Jay under the bus... he's a UL trooper and in a pinch with his career to state publically what he truly believes... but yes... he has on several occasions stated directly that fans need to put out the money and support and if not, we are the ones to blame for UL athletic issues. That is incorrect. The pipes are there. The valve operator is the UL admin. I think fans have over-supported for what they've gotten in return.

The focus isn't on Jay, our newspapers, our students, our band, our fans, our athletes, or even our coaches (hired and/or fired by the admin). Our focus has to be on our administrators. If they are as comfortable and arrogant as our past administrators... we will keep getting the same... and you can't blame fans for not liking that. _

When you have the issues that this university has in putting together a football program, I think it is impossible to blame one part of the puzzle. I understand people's frustrations with the administration as I see its lack of efficiency more and more but they are not the ONLY problem as many believe. I do believe Jay to be most correct however, I too feel that the one way to jumpstart your program and give it a quick shot of success is through private funding. We do not hold a candle to some of the other teams in our conference much less in the country and until we are able to do so, we will not have the funds to do what the administration wants to do. This whole issue is a circle of problems that have to all be addressed and given blame for our lack of success. You can't take care of one and expect things to fall into place.

I agree with Jay and feel that there are a lot of "fans" out there who like to talk but seem unwilling to help where we need it. People complain about the RCAF and its delay for development but we've had a donation program in place for years. You can access it on the website and it is pretty basic. People want success before they donate but how can you achieve anything without the proper financial "stimulus" (Seemed fitting time to use that word). Again, this is the circle that tends to delay everything. On the flip side, our administration has to be doing something right if we lead the league in attendance, we've put a better product on the field in recent years if that is scary enough and expectations have been increased.

If you don't believe this university is trying to raise money, why don't you call Gerald Hebert. He tirelessly works to get contributions for the athletic dept. even in these economic times and he will be happy to sit with you to go over inexpensive options for you if you are willing to contribute.

[Zeebart21]

Help is on the way

[Hammer58]

_ Help is on the way _

Should have gone with a high capacity auto. You're going to get carpal tunel with all the reloading your going to have to do.

[Zeebart21]

_ Should have gone with a high capacity auto. You're going to get carpal tunel with all the reloading your going to have to do. _

Thats not on me, buddy. I'm just loaning it out.

[Just1More]

_ When you have the issues that this university has in putting together a football program, I think it is impossible to blame one part of the puzzle. I understand people's frustrations with the administration as I see its lack of efficiency more and more but they are not the ONLY problem as many believe. I do believe Jay to be most correct however, I too feel that the one way to jumpstart your program and give it a quick shot of success is through private funding. We do not hold a candle to some of the other teams in our conference much less in the country and until we are able to do so, we will not have the funds to do what the administration wants to do. This whole issue is a circle of problems that have to all be addressed and given blame for our lack of success. You can't take care of one and expect things to fall into place.

I agree with Jay and feel that there are a lot of "fans" out there who like to talk but seem unwilling to help where we need it. People complain about the RCAF and its delay for development but we've had a donation program in place for years. You can access it on the website and it is pretty basic. People want success before they donate but how can you achieve anything without the proper financial "stimulus" (Seemed fitting time to use that word). Again, this is the circle that tends to delay everything. On the flip side, our administration has to be doing something right if we lead the league in attendance, we've put a better product on the field in recent years if that is scary enough and expectations have been increased.

If you don't believe this university is trying to raise money, why don't you call Gerald Hebert. He tirelessly works to get contributions for the athletic dept. even in these economic times and he will be happy to sit with you to go over inexpensive options for you if you are willing to contribute. _

You are dead butt wrong on this one. Jay only reaches people on the radio that are already "in the fan system and donating". If pouncing on fans is the key to getting things right... we would be in sport's hogs heaven. Our school isn't doing what it takes to reach the fans for ownership in our program. Jay cannot reach them. Gerald Hebert's tireless efforts cannot reach them. The fans that schools with large followings and financial donations are not schools with "better fans". They are schools with better administration of the programs... including the fans. It takes a specific private charter system.

It is absolutely totally ridiculous to blame fans for the sports operations at our school. Fans go where they want, do what they do, and spend money where they find value in it. Management of the fans is just as important, if not more important, than selecting a coach or building a facility.

If you honestly believe that our admin is doing a fine job with fans, funding, and privatization... you are lost. Why don't you call Gerald and ask if they will run a commercial admonishing the "Cajun fans" for lack of support... as Jay has basically done... and see where that gets us. Right... we need to pound on our fans more. A BIG BS to that one Zephyr.

[RCAJUN90]

I agree with Jay and feel that there are a lot of "fans" out there who like to talk but seem unwilling to help where we need it. People complain about the RCAF and its delay for development but we've had a donation program in place for years. You can access it on the website and it is pretty basic. People want success before they donate but how can you achieve anything without the proper financial "stimulus" (Seemed fitting time to use that word). Again, this is the circle that tends to delay everything. On the flip side, our administration has to be doing something right if we lead the league in attendance, we've put a better product on the field in recent years if that is scary enough and expectations have been increased.

If you don't believe this university is trying to raise money, why don't you call Gerald Hebert. He tirelessly works to get contributions for the athletic dept. even in these economic times and he will be happy to sit with you to go over inexpensive options for you if you are willing to contribute. _

You have to make people want to donate. You can't put a gun to their head...eh....will maybe Zeebart can. We need some leadership at the top. Jay Walker is dead wrong for scolding loyal fans. How much does he pony up? If it wasn't for the university he would not have a job.