Attendence?

[zephyr]

_ It would help.

My son is a pledge in a frat and my wife sent him a text in the 1st quarter telling him to get in the game. He replied that they could not because they had to stay until they actives left so they could clean up. That is unacceptable for students to stay outside and tailgate. In addition, the big crowd at Percy Guidry's tent all stayed out there and could be seen watching the Florida - State game. Percy Guidry's gets arguably the most prime tailgating spot and that is what they are doing. Hell I remember one game where a bunch of them had purple shirts and jerseys on. T-Joe and other admin officials need to ride the lot after kickoff and push these folks to get in the stadium. And he needs to tell them if they don't they shouldn't bother to come back the following week. (Yea... yea... I know I'm a mean ol' Nazi driving away the casual fan. Screw 'em, they are not supporting the team anyway.) As for the frats, he needs to call them in to his office for a come to Jesus meeting about supporting their university and its teams. _

I have held the view for some time that people in the parking lot should either be made to leave the premises or go into the game by the end of the first quarter. It has often run into roadblocks from those who of course have to make themselves feel better about being able to go back out at halftime and get tanked or watch LSU on TV. I don't understand why this isn't enforced. Not to mention it would curb the theft that tends to go on by those hanging around for a substantial amount of time. I've had ice chests removed and small grills although nothing of great value but it does occur.

[Just1More]

_ I have held the view for some time that people in the parking lot should either be made to leave the premises or go into the game by the end of the first quarter. It has often run into roadblocks from those who of course have to make themselves feel better about being able to go back out at halftime and get tanked or watch LSU on TV. I don't understand why this isn't enforced. Not to mention it would curb the theft that tends to go on by those hanging around for a substantial amount of time. I've had ice chests removed and small grills although nothing of great value but it does occur. _

I strongly disagree... and I have never gone to a Cajun football game and stayed in the parking lot, ever in my life (and I've been to many, many games). I have also never left at halftime to go to the lot for alcohol. That said... this is a free country... almost... well, so far it has been... and the absolute dumbest thing we as UL could do is impose something so stupid wrt tailgating as to mandate people to leave or go inside. People who wear red and go tailgate are 50x better than people who never ever show up. Do you also believe Lafayette should blackout all college football on Saturday in Lafayette for UL home games so that everyone will "want" to go to Cajun Field?

It is perfectly ok not to like it that some people prefer to tailgate all day, watching the Disney Channel for all I care. They will not bend to someone telling them to go inside. We also cannot police the lot well enough to keep good people in and bad people out. People reserve the right to come into the game or stay in the parking lot and do anything they want that is legal. Would I prefer everyone get into the game... hell yes.

You do not make fans out of people who prefer to do something else. It is as pure and predictable as gravity. They will abandon us as "partially involved" to "not involved at all". We have got to make what goes on in Cajun Field more of an attraction. We are competing for people's interest... and we all should know by now what that takes.

[zephyr]

_ I strongly disagree... and I have never gone to a Cajun football game and stayed in the parking lot, ever in my life (and I've been to many, many games). I have also never left at halftime to go to the lot for alcohol. That said... this is a free country... almost... well, so far it has been... and the absolute dumbest thing we as UL could do is impose something so stupid wrt tailgating as to mandate people to leave or go inside. People who wear red and go tailgate are 50x better than people who never ever show up. Do you also believe Lafayette should blackout all college football on Saturday in Lafayette for UL home games so that everyone will "want" to go to Cajun Field?

It is perfectly ok not to like it that some people prefer to tailgate all day, watching the Disney Channel for all I care. They will not bend to someone telling them to go inside. We also cannot police the lot well enough to keep good people in and bad people out. People reserve the right to come into the game or stay in the parking lot and do anything they want that is legal. Would I prefer everyone get into the game... hell yes.

You do not make fans out of people who prefer to do something else. It is as pure and predictable as gravity. They will abandon us as "partially involved" to "not involved at all". We have got to make what goes on in Cajun Field more of an attraction. We are competing for people's interest... and we all should know by now what that takes. _

It's not stupid and its mandated on many college football sites across the country. We all know its a free country. That's such a stupid rebuttal and reason for not doing so. It has nothing to do with the freedom's of people in this country. It has nothing to do with "good" people and "bad" people. It simply has to do with the fact that being in a dark parking lot, more than likely intoxicated, late in the evening does the school or team no good. It's better to get people on their way or into the stadium to support the team. You aren't competing for people's interest if you allow them to loiter in the parking lot.

[Clutch0364]

_ Student section was embarrasing. The ones that showed up did their part and were loud. The ones that didn't show up (or stayed outside tailgating) need a serious come to Jesus meeting.

Also, the NT fans were pretty loud and the cheerleaders were nice. Saw them walking around before the game stuffing their faces with some good food lol.


igeaux.mobi _

The problem with the student section is that it is to big. There is no way that the students should be given 3 sections. Shrink it down to 1 or 2 and the section would look much fuller. Also make it so that you have to actually be a student to get into the section!

[Frenchie35]

_ It would help.

My son is a pledge in a frat and my wife sent him a text in the 1st quarter telling him to get in the game. He replied that they could not because they had to stay until they actives left so they could clean up. That is unacceptable for students to stay outside and tailgate. In addition, the big crowd at Percy Guidry's tent all stayed out there and could be seen watching the Florida - State game. Percy Guidry's gets arguably the most prime tailgating spot and that is what they are doing. Hell I remember one game where a bunch of them had purple shirts and jerseys on. T-Joe and other admin officials need to ride the lot after kickoff and push these folks to get in the stadium. And he needs to tell them if they don't they shouldn't bother to come back the following week. (Yea... yea... I know I'm a mean ol' Nazi driving away the casual fan. Screw 'em, they are not supporting the team anyway.) As for the frats, he needs to call them in to his office for a come to Jesus meeting about supporting their university and its teams. _

Simple solution: In the first quarter have security go aroung the parking lot and tell folks there that no "LOITERING" is premitted. If they have a ticket go to the game or tear down the area and leave. No law that's says this cant be done. And it should be done.

[Cajuns1]

To those "fans" or students who went to the LSU game last night,

Thank you for driving 50 miles down the road to see the Tigers play. Our players played their hearts out last night for only 12,000 true UL fans and you weren't there to see it. The student section, and frankly, the rest of the stadium looked pathetic and you are the ones responsible for that.

You missed a game that featured multiple Cajun interceptions, one returned for a touchdown. You missed a game in which the special teams once again came through with a blocked punt returned for a touchdown. You missed a game that, whlle the Cajuns didn't play well, they found a way to win and they did it in exciting fashion.

You missed watching a Cajun team that doesn't have "superstars", trillions of dollars in funding (see the LSU cribs video on YouTube) and now, apparently, doesn't have your support unless its convenient for you.

Yeah, maybe you did see two top five teams play last night. But while you drove home in drunken disappointment, we went home happy. Maybe we weren't 100% satisfied with how we played, but we won, we're undefeated in conference, and that's all that matters today.

Now I'm not suggesting that you can't be a fan of both schools. However, as much as it pains me to say this, we need you at our games supporting our team EVERY week. It's time for you (especially the students) to start supporting this program like it deserves. We've heard for years that people wanted to support a winner. Well, we're 3-2, undefeated in conference (and at home) and playing to win instead of trying to not lose.

The team has stepped up to the plate. Now it's time for you to do the same. Next time, instead of driving 50 miles down the road, why don't you come to the game in YOUR city and watch OUR team play. Spend your money HERE instead and enjoy being a part of the success that you will help build instead of contribute to the success of another school that frankly doesn't need your help to win.

[CajunRed]

Let's not talk anymore about the LaTechsters needing blue tarps. We could have used a ton of red ones last night.

How embarrassing.

[zephyr]

_ To those "fans" or students who went to the LSU game last night,

Thank you for driving 50 miles down the road to see the Tigers play. Our players played their hearts out last night for only 12,000 true UL fans and you weren't there to see it. The student section, and frankly, the rest of the stadium looked pathetic and you are the ones responsible for that.

You missed a game that featured multiple Cajun interceptions, one returned for a touchdown. You missed a game in which the special teams once again came through with a blocked punt returned for a touchdown. You missed a game that, whlle the Cajuns didn't play well, they found a way to win and they did it in exciting fashion.

You missed watching a Cajun team that doesn't have "superstars", trillions of dollars in funding (see the LSU cribs video on YouTube) and now, apparently, doesn't have your support unless its convenient for you.

Yeah, maybe you did see two top five teams play last night. But while you drove home in drunken disappointment, we went home happy. Maybe we weren't 100% satisfied with how we played, but we won, we're undefeated in conference, and that's all that matters today.

Now I'm not suggesting that you can't be a fan of both schools. However, as much as it pains me to say this, we need you at our games supporting our team EVERY week. It's time for you (especially the students) to start supporting this program like it deserves. We've heard for years that people wanted to support a winner. Well, we're 3-2, undefeated in conference (and at home) and playing to win instead of trying to not lose.

The team has stepped up to the plate. Now it's time for you to do the same. Next time, instead of driving 50 miles down the road, why don't you come to the game in YOUR city and watch OUR team play. Spend your money HERE instead and enjoy being a part of the success that you will help build instead of contribute to the success of another school that frankly doesn't need your help to win. _

Touche'

That also holds true for those camped out in the parking lot who felt it more convenient to watch the games on TV rather than go inside.

[Turbine]

I don't like seeing the loiterers either but I am totally against stifling peripheral interest.

At this point in time peripheral interest is the only thing growing the program, I promise you it's not going 6-6 although that doesn't hurt.

Now if someone say the program isn't growing I beg to differ, at the turn of the century 9,000 on a clear day was seen. 12,000 on a rainy, option laden day is growth and future growth can be seen through the peripheral interest.

Don't kill it.

[zephyr]

_ I don't like seeing the loiterers either but I am totally against stifling peripheral interest.

At this point in time peripheral interest is the only thing growing the program, I promise you it's not going 6-6 although that doesn't hurt.

Now if someone say the program isn't growing I beg to differ, at the turn of the century 9,000 on a clear day was seen. 12,000 on a rainy, option laden day is growth and future growth can be seen through the peripheral interest.

Don't kill it. _

You are not stifling peripheral interest! Whatever that is....You are making it a better environment outside the stadium, reducing your liability of stupid incidents that can occur and moving people along if they are unwilling to go to the stadium. To me, you are promoting a support plan rather than deterring one.

[Just1More]

_ It's not stupid and its mandated on many college football sites across the country. We all know its a free country. That's such a stupid rebuttal and reason for not doing so. It has nothing to do with the freedom's of people in this country. It has nothing to do with "good" people and "bad" people. It simply has to do with the fact that being in a dark parking lot, more than likely intoxicated, late in the evening does the school or team no good. It's better to get people on their way or into the stadium to support the team. You aren't competing for people's interest if you allow them to loiter in the parking lot. _

If you think we have minimal fan interest and support right now, compared to other southern football programs that we compete for recruits, you go ahead and shut down tailgating at kickoff. You hire the security and support the law enforcement required. It isn't going to happen, so I'm not too concerned about it.

My "stupid rebuttal" regarding freedom of choice has to do with choosing to leave or go inside. Many tailgating groups have half attendees of the game and others who just tailgate. We could lose both groups in many cases if we shut down the tailgating at kickoff. We need company's to enjoy setting up their tents and RVs and not worrying about taking the stuff down or leaving until later. I know people who have their employees help with the tailgating and require them to stay in the parking lot to watch their stuff. They do whatever the hell they want while the rest of the group goes to the game. You don't understand marketing and what it will take at UL to build up a more substantial following in Acadiana. If I hadn't traveled the south and seen how programs, both small and large, have built their systems, I wouldn't argue with you.

UL needs to stop widdling on the pathetic minimalness of the existing issues and create much, much larger luxurious ones. Battling the parking lotters is absolutely a fool's game.

[zephyr]

_ If you think we have minimal fan interest and support right now, compared to other southern football programs that we compete for recruits, you go ahead and shut down tailgating at kickoff. You hire the security and support the law enforcement required. It isn't going to happen, so I'm not too concerned about it.

My "stupid rebuttal" regarding freedom of choice has to do with choosing to leave or go inside. Many tailgating groups have half attendees of the game and others who just tailgate. We could lose both groups in many cases if we shut down the tailgating at kickoff. We need company's to enjoy setting up their tents and RVs and not worrying about taking the stuff down or leaving until later. I know people who have their employees help with the tailgating and require them to stay in the parking lot to watch their stuff. They do whatever the hell they want while the rest of the group goes to the game. You don't understand marketing and what it will take at UL to build up a more substantial following in Acadiana. If I hadn't traveled the south and seen how programs, both small and large, have built their systems, I wouldn't argue with you.

UL needs to stop widdling on the pathetic minimalness of the existing issues and create much, much larger luxurious ones. Battling the parking lotters is absolutely a fool's game. _

LOL! Marketing? If that is what you call it, you are right I don't understand it. First of all, I didn't suggest making people leave at kickoff. I suggested the end of the first quarter but that can be ammended. BTW, its an idea that has come up and is still being considered so it can't be that dumb. The psyche of many cajun fans is so fragile. How dare someone ask us to go to the game since they are here to support the team thus risking us losing potential fans. Maybe, just maybe it works the opposite. What is some of those sitting in the parking lot last night had gone into the game and come away with a great experience after watching an awesome game with lots of action and would want to go back more?