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

[ManAboutTown]

I doubt those relationships were that strong if a) the admin won't have a discussion and b) they are willing to ridicule to the extent that some have on this board. JMHO.

In Tony's case, I believe its either an issue of timing or arrogance with the admin. Thats my opinion.

[lcitsh]

Ok, here it goes. It February of 2013, I sent a very critical email to Farmer. This was around the time of the master plan unveiling and the Lotief debacle. While I was very critical, I was also very respectful and professional. Within 15 minutes my phone was ringing. I spent the next hour discussing the future of UL athletics and found a respect for Scott that many of you will never have for him. I'm nobody special. I don't give any more than anyone else here. Yet, one email got me an hour long conversation with him. That makes me believe that many have not attempted to have that conversation. For that very reason I continue to believe that many don't want things to progress. They won't have anything to complain about then. Label me a sunshine pumper all you want. I took the extra step and was satisfied with the response and the direction we are going.

Welcome to the club. I took a similar approach (not exactly the same method) and have received the same consideration. The difference is, I started over three years ago and haven't left it at one contact.

Another thing to remember, realignment is totally under the province of the president. The athletic director will be involved, but contacts, conversations and decisions are solely in the hands of the president. It's tougher to get information from him, for various reasons, but he's the one with all the answers.

[Grantvb]

I still argue that bowl games should regulated to one tie-in and then at large the other team. Screw money aspect associates with the conferences...the NCAA needs to step in. All this crap about the Rose needing to maintain Pac 12 versus Big 10 tradition....garbage.

[CajunRage]

Welcome to the club. I took a similar approach (not exactly the same method) and have received the same consideration. The difference is, I started over three years ago and haven't left it at one contact.

Another thing to remember, realignment is totally under the province of the president. The athletic director will be involved, but contacts, conversations and decisions are solely in the hands of the president. It's tougher to get information from him, for various reasons, but he's the one with all the answers.

I understand the president holds the keys. Maybe we take a little from the sales textbook. Considering realignment has a lot to do with sports, maybe having a civil conversation with the athletic director and showing that it is legitimate critiques could get a foot in the door to speak with the president.

[Hammer58]

Ok, well, let's think about this. I am a peon just like you. I have no connection with Scott farmer except that we frequent the same sporting events. Yet, when I requested a conversation, I got it right away.

I don't know if you were part of the threads, but there have been multiple ones that people act all big and bad posting their names. Whomever is reading these boards is not stupid. Some of the things said here are grounds for the poster to never be given the light of day from our admin. Then they go and post their name. Hmmmm. I do my best to be respectful when posting about our admin and have never posted my name on this site. Maybe that has something to do with it. I don't know. It just seems that there is more to your story considering the drastic differences between the two.

So when prop,e criticize the admin on this board they are admonished for hiding behind screen games. Then when they are perfectly willing to stand behind their words by identifying themselves they are critisized. You guys need to make up your mind.

And yes I have identified myself because I have no problem standing behind my statements. It's your choice if you can't it won't do the same. And that knowledge of my identity and comments has never stopped the AD or anyone else in the admin from accepting my donations and cashing my checks.

You may characterize my actions as stupid while I might characterize yours as chicken____. It's all in the eye of the beholder, I guess.

[BirdofParadise]

So what you are saying is as long as we are in a G5 conference, the New Orleans Bowl is the best for us? Because what Jay is saying is that moving to C-USA is not worth it because their bowl games require further travel and more expense. I'm saying that is a short sighted view because you are placing the value of the New Orleans Bowl over what is best for your overall athletic program, including football. The opportunity to play in a more regional conference against potential rivals such as Rice, Southern Miss, Louisiana Tech, North Texas and UTSA alone supersedes the opportunity to play in the New Orleans Bowl. What happens when the New Orleans Bowl takes the champion and UL gets sent to Mobile or Montgomery? Do you and others actually think that possibility is better then playing in C-USA or one of their bowls?

There is no debate that playing in the New Orleans Bowl is great for UL, its fans and the program. We moved beyond that debate, the discussion is about what is best for the program long term. What Jay is suggesting is that moving to C-USA may not be that great because of the New Orleans Bowl. Unfortunately he is selling what the administration believes which in my opinion will hurt this program in fundraising and growth, not to mention attendance. The argument is short sighted and puts the value of possibly attending the New Orleans Bowl over the benefits of playing in a conference with regional rivals, helps recruiting in both football and basketball, and attendance. If you believe going out and selling Phase II in the Sun Belt is a winning proposition, good luck with that one.

No. That isn't what I'm saying.

My blog was in reference to football bowl games. I suggested the CUSA tie ins aren't great by any stretch of the imagination. I never suggested CUSA wasn't a good move. I never brought up other sports. This blog had everything to do with bowl games.

And, you proved my point with your comment about striving to be better.

If you are in the Sun Belt Conference, you're either playing in a Big 6 Bowl or New Orleans is your best bet. There is no in between.

Same is true for CUSA. You're either in a big six bowl or you're in the best CUSA bowl possible.

Same is true for the MAC. You're either in a big six bowl or you're in the best MAC bowl possible.

Same is true for the AAC. You're either in a big six bowl or you're in the best AAC bowl possible.

Same is true for the MWC. You're either in a big six bowl or Las Vegas is the best you're going to do.

We are (currently) in the Sun Belt. Unless we go 12-0 or in some years 11-1, there's no place better than New Orleans.

You would be AMAZED how, after four years, many fans still don't get it.

[CajunRage]

So when prop,e criticize the admin on this board they are admonished for hiding behind screen games. Then when they are perfectly willing to stand behind their words by identifying themselves they are critisized. You guys need to make up your mind.

And yes I have identified myself because I have no problem standing behind my statements. It's your choice if you can't it won't do the same. And that knowledge of my identity and comments has never stopped the AD or anyone else in the admin from accepting my donations and cashing my checks.

You may characterize my actions as stupid while I might characterize yours as chicken____. It's all in the eye of the beholder, I guess.

The thing I consider stupid is you think they will stop cashing the check that you voluntarily send because you are critical. Stop sending the check if things are so bad. As long as you keep sending the check and buying tickets, you are just the annoying mosquito that they have to keep swatting away. I don't want to see the athletic dept suffer, but things won't change until you start hurting them in the bank account. Seems like some of you need to make a decision.

[Hammer58]

The thing I consider stupid is you think they will stop cashing the check that you voluntarily send because you are critical. Stop sending the check if things are so bad. As long as you keep sending the check and buying tickets, you are just the annoying mosquito that they have to keep swatting away. I don't want to see the athletic dept suffer, but things won't change until you start hurting them in the bank account. Seems like some of you need to make a decision.

Newsflash, a number of people gave already started discussing just such an action. The question is does the admin really suffer or do the players and coaches suffer more? I'm not sure how much the admin would really care.

[BirdofParadise]

Let me say this about CUSA.

Right now there is no opening. If there is, I'll write a blog and I'll be bringing up something NO ONE has suggested in any thread on this board, any newspaper article or any radio show.

If there is an opening in CUSA, there's only one way to get it.

We'll probably find out in mid-January what CUSA's plans are. We probably won't find out who they include.

[lcitsh]

Look.
It feels helpless to sit here for the past month and see nothing going on.
I am VERY suspicious of this "don't worry, there is talk about it behind closed doors theory..."

Why?
Because if there is such discussion, there would have to be at LEAST a dozen or so "in the know." And that is enough for at least some leakage....and I am aware of none.
There are no "whispers" in the Advocate, the Sadvertiser, etc.....

For example: I am quite sure that there was a TREMENDOUS amount of "behind closed doors" discussion in the past two weeks about Michigan's negotiations with Harbaugh. And guess what Like all such discussions, there are always -ALWAYS- a few that can't keep their mouths shut. Thus, there is leakage.....

Again, regarding ANY discussion of UL being considered by CUSA that I hear (from looking at the CUSA boards, Underdog Dynasty, and (believe it or not) simple Google searches is
NADA - Nothing - Zilch.....

I think WE need to create our own "press"
Can Jay or any other regular contributor PUBLISH a few Pieces (i.e., more than one) on what we need to do and how important this is to get out of the SBC??
I keep thinking about something like a "letter to our congressman/senator" campaign....
SOMETHING to at least least make our own rumors so we get SOME traction....

The main reason you are not hearing anything out of C-USA territory is because they are waiting on the Big 12, and the Big 12's discussions about who they want and when are on hold for the holidays. Trust that January will bring a flurry of rumors, innuendos and suppositions about who is going where and when.

[CajunRage]

Newsflash, a number of people gave already started discussing just such an action. The question is does the admin really suffer or do the players and coaches suffer more? I'm not sure how much the admin would really care.

Like I said, seems like some of you have a decision to make. One thing we all do know is that the admin doesn't really care about empty threats. Why should they? Our teams continue to be successful and the money keeps coming in.

[BirdofParadise]

(quote Cajun T)
In most cases this is correct, but it wasn't until Oklahoma State upset Oklahoma and UL lost to App. State that the Armed Forces Bowl was completely out of the question for UL. And this will be the case most seasons. But there is no guarantee that the New Orleans Bowl will be available to UL in certain years unless they are the SBC champion. So there are no assurances that will be the case every season either. At that point, is the Go Daddy or Camellia Bowl more attractive then the Bowls in Houston or Dallas?

What does Okla. State winning have to do with the Armed Forces Bowl? The Armed Forces bowl is contracted to the AAC (Houston) and Army who did not qualify.

If Okla St. loses, the Cactus becomes open. And we would have had a different school in New Orleans as a result.

The bid went to Pitt out of the ACC. You think we were going to get chosen before them if we had beaten App???