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

[tdncz]

I believe there has been discussions and that negotiations are ongoing. But the administration has nothing to gain and everything to lose bt allowing leaks

Please excuse my sarcasm, but do you men:
Farmer: Hey T-Joe, you hear UAB is giving up football>
T-Joe: So?
Farmer: The folks at CUSA may want to either replace them or expand to 14 ...
T-Joe: 14 - "what"?
Farmer: 14 Teams. You interested in trying to get into CUSA this time?
T-Joe: I AM pretty comfortable with SBC, but go ahead and send them that Power Point, can't hurt....
Farmer: I'm on it, boss.....

[CajunRage]

I understand the sentiment, but a few of those guys have long standing relationships with figure heads in the admin, prior to their current positions.. And if a critique is dead on, and in many cases they are, have no respect for someone who can't own their baggage, and at least accept a discussion about it..

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.

[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.