IceGators returning ... to Blackham

[Cajunbander]

_ I agree. This is a good opportunity for the RCAF to get a boost.

I also like the idea of these teams doing some upgrades to Blackham like what the Bullfrogs did to the Tigue. I know some (maybe most) people don't agree but I would love to see the Cajun basketball team in a new upgraded Blackham in the future.

Either way, welcome back Icegators! _

I would LOVE to see the basketball games held in Blackham again! My first semester at UL, because of the Katrina evacuees in the Dome, the bball games were held at Blackham. They were 10 times as fun as the ones in the Dome. We might actually fill Blackham because is so small, where do don't come close to doing that at the Dome.

[RCAJUN90]

_ I like that idea Turbine!!! _

Let's hope the SPHL doesn't get greedy like the ECHL and WPHL trying to put a team in every city in Louisiana. I really think this is what killed the IceGators the first time.

[TheRaginCajun06]

_ Let's hope the SPHL doesn't get greedy like the ECHL and WPHL trying to put a team in every city in Louisiana. I really think this is what killed the IceGators the first time. _

Great point! Our attendance shrunk over the years for several reasons, but this one is huge. Once Baton Rouge, New Orleans and Lake Charles all got ice hockey teams it took away from the Icegators.

I just can't wait to do the CHOMP again. DAMN IT'S BEEN LONG ENOUGH!

[LSUTiger4RaginCajuns]

_ Great point! Our attendance shrunk over the years for several reasons, but this one is huge. Once Baton Rouge, New Orleans and Lake Charles all got ice hockey teams it took away from the Icegators.

I just can't wait to do the CHOMP again. DAMN IT'S BEEN LONG ENOUGH! _

I would think just the opposite. Nothing like a rivalry with your neighbors. Beats the hell outta Biloxi or Florida. I seriously doubt that many traveled to Lafayette from BR, NOLA or LC to support the Ice Gators. Just sayin and have no proof of my theory. I think the collaspe of the original Gators was greed.

[RCAJUN90]

_ I would think just the opposite. Nothing like a rivalry with your neighbors. Beats the hell outta Biloxi or Florida. I seriously doubt that many traveled to Lafayette from BR, NOLA or LC to support the Ice Gators. Just sayin and have no proof of my theory. I think the collaspe of the original Gators was greed. _

Many folks traveled from BR and LC to the games. A few even traveled from NOLA. It made the IceGators something special then LC, BR and NOLA all got teams so they quit coming. Will that happen again? I don't know. It will depend on the atmosphere at the games. I stopped going the last two years of the IceGators because it just wasn't worth it. 1,500 in the Cajundome just was not as much fun as 12,000. It will not have the novelty affect as the first go around. It seems this league is perfectly suited for hockey in the South. It is mainly a weekend league. We shall see.

[RaginCajun77]

I would think just the opposite. Nothing like a rivalry with your neighbors. Beats the hell outta Biloxi or Florida. I seriously doubt that many traveled to Lafayette from BR, NOLA or LC to support the Ice Gators. Just sayin and have no proof of my theory. I think the collaspe of the original Gators was greed.

You'd actually be surprised how many people did drive to Lafayette from Baton Rouge and the Lake Charles area to watch the Ice Gators.

[RaisingCajun08]

_ You'd actually be surprised how many people did drive to Lafayette from Baton Rouge and the Lake Charles area to watch the Ice Gators. _

Dont forget about the 2 hour ride to Beaumont.

[CajunProud]

______ on the Iceholes

[Frenchie35]

_ I seriously doubt that many traveled to Lafayette from BR, NOLA or LC to support the Ice Gators.

Not true at all. Many traveled to Lafayette to see the games. North La. BR. LC. Texas and Mississippi. Only after these cities got a team did they stay home. The second year was sold out for every game except two...11,800 fans. The NHL sent reps. to check out the reason why a team in Lafayette that didn't know much about hockey packed them in.....Greed was the mean reason that started the fall. A family of four could see the game for $20. Then it went up to $36...

[RCAJUN90]

_ Not true at all. Many traveled to Lafayette to see the games. North La. BR. LC. Texas and Mississippi. Only after these cities got a team did they stay home. The second year was sold out for every game except two...11,800 fans. The NHL sent reps. to check out the reason why a team in Lafayette that didn't know much about hockey packed them in.....Greed was the mean reason that started the fall. A family of four could see the game for $20. Then it went up to $36... _

Also this time around you should be able to see Lafayette natives playing. I think this will be wonderful for Lafayette and UL. I was all set to head to Biloxi in October for hockey which is a much shorter trip for me but I have to be there opening night at Blackham for the ICEGATORS!!!

[keithj]

From the SPHL website:

The team will begin selling season tickets and unvail their new colors and logo on the website www.icegatorshockey.com on June 1st

From what I've read, they're bought the rights to the name and logo. I wonder why they want to change it?

That website is registered to potenzacreative.com, a local website firm in Lafayette. Hopefully they do a decent job.

At any rate, I'll be ready to buy my season tickets June 1st.

[RedBug58]

Were any improvements made to Blackham when the Mudbugs came in? The last time I was in there it was like a cave. But I agree, Blackman could be fairly nice with some cosmetic upgrades.

[RCAJUN90]

_ Were any improvements made to Blackham when the Mudbugs came in? The last time I was in there it was like a cave. But I agree, Blackman could be fairly nice with some cosmetic upgrades. _

Blackham was before my days at UL. I've never been in the place. The few google photos I could find don't look very nice. It looks like benches surrounding a dirt hole. It seems to me the IceGators would have to invest some major money into the place to make it comfortable.

[wcd35]

_ Blackham was before my days at UL. I've never been in the place. The few google photos I could find don't look very nice. It looks like benches surrounding a dirt hole. It seems to me the IceGators would have to invest some major money into the place to make it comfortable. _

Definitely need improvement, but there is concrete under any dirt you might see. I dont remember how well the building seals from the outside. It would need to be able to keep the outside air out and have a really good AC system

[CajunCanaille]

_ Definitely need improvement, but there is concrete under any dirt you might see. I dont remember how well the building seals from the outside. It would need to be able to keep the outside air out and have a really good AC system _

Building isn't sealed well at all. I'm pretty sure it has some leaks and the some of the small windows at the top are broken or missing. I'm not sure if the Mudbugs addressed this but the place is a dump. Hopefully they can give it a good facelift!