Only One Bowl Better Than New Orleans From the Bird’s Nest

[ZoomZoom]

After reading 10 pages of a now hijacked topic, I hope and pray our leaders have a plan. But I don't expect anyone to show their hands.

Reason for that is simple. How many times UL students roll out some redesign plan or design in conjunction with government and some people take it as gospel? Lots.

For that reason, we'll not know what cards are going to be played until the players at the table call. Not even the big whale donors. It's just like watching the WSOP. It's easy to yell at the tv how to play a hand when everyone is exposed. I don't want my university showing their hand or known to ANY possible competition to move out the suck belt.

[Boomer]

Damn, Boom?!!! How could I forget Tech.

Ok, it looks like several examples have been given...Tech, F_U and Middle.

---I will go one better---When USA decided to do the football thing their pres came out and mentioned how they could be in CUSA in a short time---The problem is that I think his wish can happen!!!

[BeauCajun]

It just has to actually occur now!

Don't count on it.

[Boomer]

Bringing him into this conversation is a desperate attempt to keep your argument alive when you were proven wrong. I admitted I was wrong on the public campaign. Admit when you are wrong.

----Post factum ergo propter factum!!! Yes some points on here fall under the fallacious argument category!!!

[ManAboutTown]

I am going to give Dr. Savoie the benefit of the doubt and my support. I do believe that he is throwing himself into it this time 100%. He knows what this means to his fan base. We cannot afford to be passed over again.

I would quote the "Fool me once.." proverb, but you're too seasoned for that Coach.
Thing is, I don't doubt he WANTS it to happen. My concern is more with their collective ability to deliver.

[scotto_25]

I will (once again) increase my RCAF donation as I've done since the first year. I am ticked off that we do not see where the pennies are being spent, which is a major problem.

I feel that an RCAF meeting should be held at a minimum 2 times per year to get all the pitchforks picked up off of Martin Hall's front lawn. The problem with the University dates back as far as I can remember. The "behind the scenes, ask not - tell not" stuff is becoming an incurable virus and it needs to stop.

RCAF must be separated as previously mentioned over a thousand times!

Strike while the iron is hot is something that can't be overlooked. Yes, this was the best year in Cajun athletics history. We are on the verge of moving conferences and there are plenty of wallets that would love to support it. The problem is that this University and those of "power" don't want to release this "fictional power" and let the "common folk" help. They'd rather have the behind the scene meetings and silent fundraisers....

I propose this if the "right person" is listening:

Schedule a date for an RCAF meeting.
Invite all current RCAF members and allow non-members in with sign-up at the door.
Have selected topics to touch on
Have an open forum
Show current funding needs and achievement goals
Discuss what needs to be done for conference realignment

I guarantee we could fill an auditorium and we could fill a 3 hour time slot with questions. I give plenty and do plenty for this University, but all I get is "smoke and mirrors."

**Why would this be so hard??? Pick a location and get it done**

[BraveCajun]

Martin Hall's support of athletics has completely changed since the days of the fossil. The strides that have been made since Ray's retirement has been pretty dramatic. Now I believe some steps are still needed but I still think that T-Joe is the right man to lead the charge. I don't know him very well. I attended a couple of parties at the President's mansion and I've found him to be huge fan of our athletics. I even found him huddled in a corner of his kitchen listening to a midweek baseball game. He is a politician so maybe lighting a fire under his ___ may expedite our desires for the program. But I think he is the right man to lead the charge. As for Farmer, how can we keep an antisocial individual as our AD? Sure, I like the coaches his searching companies have found us but this guy barely says hi to the program's supporters.

[ManAboutTown]

I will (once again) increase my RCAF donation as I've done since the first year. I am ticked off that we do not see where the pennies are being spent, which is a major problem.

I feel that an RCAF meeting should be held at a minimum 2 times per year to get all the pitchforks picked up off of Martin Hall's front lawn. The problem with the University dates back as far as I can remember. The "behind the scenes, ask not - tell not" stuff is becoming an incurable virus and it needs to stop.

RCAF must be separated as previously mentioned over a thousand times!

Strike while the iron is hot is something that can't be overlooked. Yes, this was the best year in Cajun athletics history. We are on the verge of moving conferences and there are plenty of wallets that would love to support it. The problem is that this University and those of "power" don't want to release this "fictional power" and let the "common folk" help. They'd rather have the behind the scene meetings and silent fundraisers....

I propose this if the "right person" is listening:

Schedule a date for an RCAF meeting.
Invite all current RCAF members and allow non-members in with sign-up at the door.
Have selected topics to touch on
Have an open forum
Show current funding needs and achievement goals
Discuss what needs to be done for conference realignment

I guarantee we could fill an auditorium and we could fill a 3 hour time slot with questions. I give plenty and do plenty for this University, but all I get is "smoke and mirrors."

**Why would this be so hard??? Pick a location and get it done**

If its ok with you Scott, I'm borrowing this comment and emailing (yet again) all the way through my contact list. I would advise everyone else to follow suit.

There has been some really great discussion in this thread about the many issues that face our most important cog in the wheel of expansion & future progress. A blitz of donors who have a voice is really our only option at this point. While I agree SF is somewhat of an obstacle, lets focus on Savoie and the RCAF brass. I'll even include a passage like "I'm decreasing (not eliminating) my donation this year because of the delay of the separation of RCAF, hiring of THE fundraiser, and a few other inconsistencies". Hopefully they'll respond with questions.

[ManAboutTown]

Maybe its time we stop asking Martin Hall to do things, and start telling them what they will do. Remind them that they are public servants entrusted to delve out OUR money as WE see fit. There is no reason it has taken this long. I don't want to hear "lack of staff". It doesn't take much staff to gather donors into a venue twice a year to update us on where our money is being appropriated, why deadlines are not being met, and whats going on behind the damn seen.

[CrazyCajun]

They will not voluntarily give us a reason to hold them accountable. It will have to almost be pressured, if they hold a meeting, then whatever is said in that public meeting will be on record therefore holding them accountable. That's why you can never get them on record for anything, that's why farmer never takes calls on the radio. The less he has to say, the less he has to prove.

[Cajuns4me]

The problem is that this University and those of "power" don't want to release this "fictional power" and let the "common folk" help.

I think there's more truth here than you know.

[CRAWFISH61]

Many of you talk of needing meetings for RCAF members to inform us. Did any of you attend the RCAF meeting back when Bustle was the Coach. It was to inform the general public and sign up new members. It was put out in the papers and on 1420. It was held on a weekday afternoon in a room in the Cajundome convention center. I arrived at the appointed time. The 2 things I remember most is President Savoie's constant use of UL Lafayette and the shockingly low numbers that came. There was less than 30 people there. This was after this board pounded the administration for years about establishing an athletic fund. When they do, know one shows up to join or donate or get information about RCAF. I don't know if they every held another, if they did I did not hear about it. It also does not free them of the responsiblity of keeping us informed and I do think they should have kept up the effort. However, if they have a meeting to inform us and no one shows up to listen maybe they thought no one was interested.