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

[CajunT]

Fair enough.

I will just say that, coming from a Master or Comprehensive Planning perspective, you are always stuck between the big ticket items and "low-hanging fruit". Its how to use the latter to maintain the energy until the former is satisfied.

At the end of the day, its the big ticket items that sell the program (IPFs, new athletic training complexes, Tigue improvements, increasing Cajun Field seating, etc.). But bringing these things to fruition kills our patience.

It's the "low-hanging fruit" that generates the energy. And I'd hope we'd be at the point the RCAF and how its run would be ready for the picking.

I absolutely agree that this is the best year in UL history. I'll go even farther and say we've NEVER been at this level for the entirety of the University. It's a different time.

But at the risk of being argumentative, I don't see how we know there is no sense of urgency if there is no line of communication.

From the thread I linked:

Quote Originally Posted by basinbear View Post
"Let me weigh in.....this is not for nothing. Dr. Savoie has teed this one up big time. He deserves 100% of our support right now. It does not get any more serious than this guys. We are smack in the middle of this fight and Our leader has drawn his sword. Lets stay positive and get behind Dr. Savoie.......we are not assured of an invite but we are damn well in the fight this time....and this time we have the ammo to do battle with.....Our leaders know how badly Ragin Cajun Nation wants this And I believe that they want it badly too and are acting accordingly......Lets support them in every way.....we can do this !!!!!"

And from T (albeit, on the Cox deal and a comment that the board should get involved):
"No we shouldn't! We have a consultant handling negotiations. This is a business deal, not a public vote."

What if the deal for us to go to CUSA is a package involving CST as well as the NOLA Bowl? I don't know if this conversation is best held during a luncheon with Hud or Farmer.

One thing I'm sure we'll agree on...

You're still a handsome, charming devil.

I stand by those comments for two reasons. First, the CST deal hinges upon finding a solution to the contractual obligation to ESPN and not a matter of politics. So no email campaign can resolve that matter. A top college Sports Service was brought in to help resolve that matter in a consultant role, something I applauded. Second, the consultant was a necessary move because of several poor decisions made at the top concerning the television rights of UL Athletics.

Of course, that is something you are not going to hear at any RCAF meeting.

[tdncz]

but not appropriately linked to an ongoing effort to improve our image to potential conferences

Although I (and I am sure others) either KNEW or SUSPECTED this (or certainly believe that it could only HELP our efforts) -- Isn't this something that Farmer, T- Joe, "Stewart", or ANY one else in the Admin might want to convey to the masses as part of their "efforts" to get us into CUSA?
Or is this more "Behind the Scenes" ....?

[CajunRage]

Although I (and I am sure others) either KNEW or SUSPECTED this (or certainly believe that it could only HELP our efforts) -- Isn't this something that Farmer, T- Joe, "Stewart", or ANY one else in the Admin might want to convey to the masses as part of their "efforts" to get us into CUSA?
Or is this more "Behind the Scenes" ....?

I'd assume that you put Stewart in quotes because you don't know who he is. He's the Associate Director of Athletics for External Affairs hired back in May.

By the way, it's raining today. Don't go outside if you don't want to get wet. I felt the need to specifically tell you that so you didn't have to figure it out on your own.

[Hammer58]

Fair enough.

I will just say that, coming from a Master or Comprehensive Planning perspective, you are always stuck between the big ticket items and "low-hanging fruit". Its how to use the latter to maintain the energy until the former is satisfied.

At the end of the day, its the big ticket items that sell the program (IPFs, new athletic training complexes, Tigue improvements, increasing Cajun Field seating, etc.). But bringing these things to fruition kills our patience.

It's the "low-hanging fruit" that generates the energy. And I'd hope we'd be at the point the RCAF and how its run would be ready for the picking.

I absolutely agree that this is the best year in UL history. I'll go even farther and say we've NEVER been at this level for the entirety of the University. It's a different time.

But at the risk of being argumentative, I don't see how we know there is no sense of urgency if there is no line of communication.

From the thread I linked:

Quote Originally Posted by basinbear View Post
"Let me weigh in.....this is not for nothing. Dr. Savoie has teed this one up big time. He deserves 100% of our support right now. It does not get any more serious than this guys. We are smack in the middle of this fight and Our leader has drawn his sword. Lets stay positive and get behind Dr. Savoie.......we are not assured of an invite but we are damn well in the fight this time....and this time we have the ammo to do battle with.....Our leaders know how badly Ragin Cajun Nation wants this And I believe that they want it badly too and are acting accordingly......Lets support them in every way.....we can do this !!!!!"

And from T (albeit, on the Cox deal and a comment that the board should get involved):
"No we shouldn't! We have a consultant handling negotiations. This is a business deal, not a public vote."

What if the deal for us to go to CUSA is a package involving CST as well as the NOLA Bowl? I don't know if this conversation is best held during a luncheon with Hud or Farmer.

One thing I'm sure we'll agree on...

You're still a handsome, charming devil.

Yes, I was greatly encouraged by those comments back then.

I won't speak for Basinbear or CajunT, but I speak with them regularly and those conversations have influenced my current outlook in part.

As for you last statement, well obviously there is no arguing with that.

[Just1More]

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.

I'm wrong about what? I'm never ever "desperate", Rage. I very much acknowledge Stewart's experience. Your reminder of him coming on the scene is noteworthy. I forgot about him when I asked the question. But, I am serious about the point I made. Is UH going from CUSA to AAC, with their attributes, anywhere close to what we're facing to get into CUSA? Personally, I think UH had their skids greased from the git-go. I think we have to have a president meeting with the CUSA presidents yesterday... yesteryear. There are people that actually believe that all that happens is CUSA just huddles amongst themselves, profiles the landscape with their own examination tools, and makes up their minds. Well, in my career, my efforts have completely redesigned the norms. And when you're representing an entity that needs more than a brochure to sell it's product, you redesign the norms. That's all I was "questioning" regarding Stewart. Is he a guy that redesigns the pattern to make sure our flange fits CUSA's flange? Or, can he instruct T-Joe in what points to emphasize as he sits down with a couple of key influential CUSA presidents that will guide their colleagues toward a UL yes vote? It does matter, Rage. The details matter.

[CajunRage]

I very much acknowledge Stewart's experience. Your reminder of him coming on the scene is noteworthy. I forgot about him when I asked the question.

I guess I'll take it...

[Turbine]

Has anyone ever seen a true all out public campaign begging a conference to invite them? I'm not being sarcastic here. I've never seen it. I would happily admit I was wrong if someone can provide the evidence of another school in the NCAA on their knees begging a conference for membership and it working.

Back in 2010 TCU had an all out blitz trying to get into the Big East.

It failed.

But I believe the publicity helped them get noticed by the Big-12 as a serious option.

Back then they even had Pitt basketball coach Jamie Dixon lobby on their behalf.

[Just1More]

I'd assume that you put Stewart in quotes because you don't know who he is. He's the Associate Director of Athletics for External Affairs hired back in May.

By the way, it's raining today. Don't go outside if you don't want to get wet. I felt the need to specifically tell you that so you didn't have to figure it out on your own.

He made a good point, Rage. Are all of the initiatives you pointed out (apparel, facilities, TV deal, coaches salaries) objectives devised to get into CUSA? In other words, are they poor decisions for UL if we're not selected. Would we be doing them regardless of conference realignment? We're asking to have our leadership at least wink at us that they're in discussions with CUSA. Do you think the SBC can punish us (moreso) if we were openly campaigning for CUSA membership? What would it hurt for T-Joe and Scott to tell us the extreme basics? Wouldn't our coaches even have an advantage in recruiting if our leadership made some public commitments toward future conference objectives and the required milestones?

I'd like to hear Scott at least tell us what he believes are thresholds in budget, facilities, TV market, etc that he perceives as minimum CUSA membership entry requirements. Why should I believe he's aggressive about pushing that information up to his boss, and advising what T-Joe specifically needs to do? Why? Scott openly admitted to his blind allegiance to the SBC. He got caught naked in the boy's room as all of his dedicated SBC AD colleagues jumped ship and left him with welcoming every new FBS school imaginable into a conference with a team that has never ever been anything but a D1A/FBS program. We got abandoned by programs we never dreamed could go anywhere (and shouldn't have ahead of us).

But we're supposed to just keep Ragin as fans. We shouldn't be the least bit skeptical. If this round doesn't work out for us, I at least want to see Scott and T-Joe's war wounds. This had better be cold sweat and white knuckle time for them. And I'd like to see the nervous look on them. It just never quite feels that way in the UL circle. And you damn well know what I mean.

[ULdude]

All I can envision when Farmer & CUSA used in same sentence is "PowerPoint Presentation". I have no faith, literally zero confidence in Farmer to get UL out of Sunbelt.

[Cajun Monkee]

I stand by those comments for two reasons. First, the CST deal hinges upon finding a solution to the contractual obligation to ESPN and not a matter of politics. So no email campaign can resolve that matter. A top college Sports Service was brought in to help resolve that matter in a consultant role, something I applauded. Second, the consultant was a necessary move because of several poor decisions made at the top concerning the television rights of UL Athletics.

Of course, that is something you are not going to hear at any RCAF meeting.

1. I agreed with you. That's why I used your post.
2. IMO, there's a difference between discussing the hiring of a consultant at an RCAF luncheon AND discussing how the negotiations are working between the consultant and COX.
3. I can see the first being generally discussed at the luncheon. I don't know if its a good idea for the negotiations to be discussed at the luncheon.

You advised that board members not start an email campaign. I think this was a wise suggestion on your part.

[Just1More]

I guess I'll take it...

You deserve that one. I honestly forgot about his hire. I do, however, stand by my post.

[CajunRage]

You deserve that one. I honestly forgot about his hire. I do, however, stand by my post.

I can live with that. I just don't understand how all the blame is always on farmer/t-joe but all the success is because of someone else. We aren't progressing in spite of them. They are a major part of where we are. Even I would like some things done faster or done period, but I think Louisiana politics, limited resources, etc. all have more to do with it than inaction by the hated couple. Get someone to write a $100mil check like pickens did for ok st and all our problems are solved. That is if the state doesn't make us share it.