Attendence?

[Hammer58]

_ 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. _

Outstanding! Please copy this and send it to the Vermillion.

[Just1More]

_ 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? _

OK Zephyr... we can battle infinitum. I'm explaining that there are people in that parking lot that are supporting those who are in that game. We cannot get all of them in the stadium. Those who have missed out on big game highlights are some of the people who used to be in the parking lot, but now have chosen to go into the game instead. The parking lot tailgating... even that which extends late into the evening... is a support mechanism of our program... not a detraction from it. It is not where we need to harvest more attendees. We will harvest larger attendance when the minds of the humans at large decide sitting inside Cajun Field is their ass location for the evening... not before.

You and all of T-Joe's men cannot force a higher attendance. When they like what's served, they will dine in the restaurant... not a single second before. But yes... if you own the parking lot... you may run off those who sit outside while others dine. I think you will lose those in the parking lot and a section of those inside.

[UL_Cajuns]

At least those LSU fans support the Cajuns as well. We need as many fans as we can get, even if they stay out in the parking lot to watch the LSU game. These fans might just come in when LSU is not playing when we play.
Better to have them there than to not be there.

[UL_Cajuns]

_ 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! _

Shrink it down to one section on the other side of the Band. Sell Season tickets will chairbacks in the center of that side.

[Hammer58]

_ At least those LSU fans support the Cajuns as well. We need as many fans as we can get, even if they stay out in the parking lot to watch the LSU game. These fans might just come in when LSU is not playing when we play.
Better to have them there than to not be there. _

How are they supporting UL when staying out in a parking lot to watch State? You may be assuming they bought a ticket but just didn't use it; I'm assuming they just showed up to tailgate at a spot purchased by one person or company. they are not in the stadium buying concessions, not is the stadium supporting the team in their efforts, etc. They are just outside partying all afternoon watching another team play without the hassles of driving to BR and fighting the traffic to achieve a "game day" tailgating experience.

But aside form the "casual fans" there is no excuse for students not being in the game. Frat pledges at other schools such as "big time" programs like State are required to go to every game. If they can't get a student ticket they have to go to the frat house and sign up and the frat arranges tickets. They demand loyalty and support from the students and I don't hear any whining from them about it.

[Cajun Power]

_ Reasons why:
LSU vs. Florida on TV and the game was in BR.
UL vs. NT was on TV and the weather was iffy so many stayed home and watched it on TV that might normally go to the game. _

...also, Festivals Acadiens and ArtWalk were going on. I don't know that either had an effect, but this was a very busy weekend in Acadiana (a problem they don't have in Baton Rouge).

Furthermore, people were treating the LSU/Florida game like the Super Bowl. Even people who would normally go to the UL game probably felt pressured to watch the LSU game just because it was such a big deal (to some, not me).

[Sonsissymia]

_ How are they supporting UL when staying out in a parking lot to watch State? You may be assuming they bought a ticket but just didn't use it; I'm assuming they just showed up to tailgate at a spot purchased by one person or company. they are not in the stadium buying concessions, not is the stadium supporting the team in their efforts, etc. They are just outside partying all afternoon watching another team play without the hassles of driving to BR and fighting the traffic to achieve a "game day" tailgating experience.

But aside form the "casual fans" there is no excuse for students not being in the game. Frat pledges at other schools such as "big time" programs like State are required to go to every game. If they can't get a student ticket they have to go to the frat house and sign up and the frat arranges tickets. They demand loyalty and support from the students and I don't hear any whining from them about it. _

12 thou is bad, but it was a big win. way to go cajuns.

[ULtimateCajun]

I think it's pretty p.i.s.s poor. It's obvious that we don't have as many die hard fans than this team deserves. Winning hopefully will change that. But shame on us for not putting more butts in the seats for this very talented football team.

[Turbine]

A lot of factors out of UL's control here.

Cattle Festival in Abbeville
Festivals Acadiens at G Park
ArtWalk downtown Lafayette
Overcast cloudy and previously rainy
UL/UNT game on TV
LSU/Florida game in BR
LSU/Florida game on TV

ps A lot of people (fans of UL) have responsibilities at some of these events that they just can't walk away from.

[ULtimateCajun]

_ A lot of factors out of UL's control here.

Cattle Festival in Abbeville
Festivals Acadiens at G Park
ArtWalk downtown Lafayette
Overcast cloudy and previously rainy
UL/UNT game on TV
LSU/Florida game in BR
LSU/Florida game on TV

ps A lot of people (fans of UL) have responsibilities at some of these events that they just can't walk away from. _

Come on Turb, festivals and Artwalk have the same weather as Cajun field. i'm tired of the excuses and starting to think we just 1. don't have a big fanbase at all or 2. we are the definition of fair weather fans cause if there is a rain drop in the sky we lose 3,000 fans off the bat.

[NOCajun]

_ My wife and I were discussing this today....If all of the tailgaters would come into the stadium, do you think it would make a huge difference? _

I think most, if not all of them DID go into the game. We didn't even have anywhere near as many people tailgating, either.

[Turbine]

Come on Turb, festivals and Artwalk have the same weather as Cajun field. i'm tired of the excuses and starting to think we just 1. don't have a big fanbase at all or 2. we are the definition of fair weather fans cause if there is a rain drop in the sky we lose 3,000 fans off the bat.

Fair enough but I only gave an out to those with responsibilities (and family members) I suspect that could range in the hundreds.

Another guage is to see if those multiple venues set attendance records.
igeaux.mobi