How much $ does it take to buy a quality home game?

[CrazyCajun]

It is not true that the staff raises no dollars. Rebounders Club donated 50 grand this year which is a record. Those funds help the team with recruiting and travel costs. Some may argue this is not "serious" fund raising. I do not know enough to comment on what is serious fund raising.

I don't really classify that as "fundraising" people are paying for a service, lunch and inside info...it's basically a form of entertainment. I go to those because I enjoy them as I'm sure is why most people go. I've never been personally invited by a coach, I credit the people that put on those luncheons more than I do the coaches. We all know that everything lotief and robe get is because they go get it. People can be critical of HUD but the man has gone out and asked a lot of people personally for money for things that he thinks he needs to improve his program.

[CajunEXPRESS]

I know some of you middle aged and younger fans probably get sick of hearing Lamar this, Lamar that, Ebron, and how great things were.

I found this link, and this was the norm. You might now know why we hate to see the sad state of things in opponents, and fan support, and well coaching.

http://www.si.com/vault/1971/12/20/6...-cajun-country

[BirdofParadise]

I don't really classify that as "fundraising" people are paying for a service, lunch and inside info...it's basically a form of entertainment. I go to those because I enjoy them as I'm sure is why most people go. I've never been personally invited by a coach, I credit the people that put on those luncheons more than I do the coaches. We all know that everything lotief and robe get is because they go get it. People can be critical of HUD but the man has gone out and asked a lot of people personally for money for things that he thinks he needs to improve his program.

We talk about fund raising. Let's remember when Hud has gone out to raise money it has been for something tangible, like equipment etc.

You're more likely to get donations for something tangible as opposed to asking for money to give to another school to play you at the Cajundome.

Reality is the Cajuns bring in $179-200K per year in guarantees and that money is not being reinvested into scheduling, but rather to balance the budget. Some of you would rather this team not play at home at all rather than play non D-1's. That makes no sense.

And as far as your "at large" bid is concerned, get real. This isn't the 1980's any more...or even the 90s. i can give you countless examples of schools with stellar records that don't get a sniff at selection time.

Louisiana Tech won 26 last year. Murray State won 26 IN A ROW and lost in their tournament. Not even on the bubble.

If you go 27-2 and beat at least two top 50 RPI schools and make it to the finals of your conference tournament then you might have 1/2 a chance.

Now, I'll agree with the seeding thing as far as the regular season is concerned. Its so much tougher if you aren't at least a 13. And, that's where we've fallen short here.

BUt, except for the seeding possibilities it DOES come down to three days in March 98 percent of the time. We scheduled for a good seed this year with games at Miami and UCLA and Alabama and even Pepperdine. BUt we didn't win any of them.

Playing a team at home only gets you .7 wins according to the RPI. Playing two non-D1s does NOT kill you in that regard.

I'd rather play two D-1's. But, and this goes back to something I said earlier....is it worth $150k to buy Prairie View and Nicholls? If your answer is yes, we will agree to disagree.

[Zeebart21]

Hammer got tired of all the bull_____ on the board. Me? I am a glutton for punishment.

Z

[CajunT]

We talk about fund raising. Let's remember when Hud has gone out to raise money it has been for something tangible, like equipment etc.

While you are correct, the majority of fund raising Hudspeth has done has been in facilities and equipment, there has been other areas like recruiting and travel expenses were he has raised additional funds. But let's focus on the point your are trying to make in your response.

You're more likely to get donations for something tangible as opposed to asking for money to give to another school to play you at the Cajundome.

Reality is the Cajuns bring in $179-200K per year in guarantees and that money is not being reinvested into scheduling, but rather to balance the budget. Some of you would rather this team not play at home at all rather than play non D-1's. That makes no sense.

If that is the case, which I do not doubt your information, when you say the balance the budget are we talking about the Basketball Operational Expenses or the entire athletic budget shortfall? And if basketball guarantees are used to balance the budget, are football guarantees used in the same manner? I ask this because I assume you can get that same information from your source.

And as far as your "at large" bid is concerned, get real. This isn't the 1980's any more...or even the 90s. i can give you countless examples of schools with stellar records that don't get a sniff at selection time.

Louisiana Tech won 26 last year. Murray State won 26 IN A ROW and lost in their tournament. Not even on the bubble.

If you go 27-2 and beat at least two top 50 RPI schools and make it to the finals of your conference tournament then you might have 1/2 a chance.

Now, I'll agree with the seeding thing as far as the regular season is concerned. Its so much tougher if you aren't at least a 13. And, that's where we've fallen short here.

BUt, except for the seeding possibilities it DOES come down to three days in March 98 percent of the time. We scheduled for a good seed this year with games at Miami and UCLA and Alabama and even Pepperdine. BUt we didn't win any of them.

No disagreement with your statement here, I think most people that follow the Cajuns understand what you have stated here is true. But does not your body of work during the season matter for the NIT in addition to those three days in March that you mentioned?

Playing a team at home only gets you .7 wins according to the RPI. Playing two non-D1s does NOT kill you in that regard.

I'd rather play two D-1's. But, and this goes back to something I said earlier....is it worth $150k to buy Prairie View and Nicholls? If your answer is yes, we will agree to disagree.

The reason I ask these questions is because I have been critical of Coach Marlin's fundraising results, but I have also been critical of Dr. Savoie's decision not to take the full athletic transfer from the state over the past 4 years. If what you have stated applies to both sports or one, it highlights my concerns have expressed concerning the executive decisions made and what this athletic programs will face this coming fiscal year.

[TravlnCajun]

I know some of you middle aged and younger fans probably get sick of hearing Lamar this, Lamar that, Ebron, and how great things were.

I found this link, and this was the norm. You might now know why we hate to see the sad state of things in opponents, and fan support, and well coaching.

http://www.si.com/vault/1971/12/20/6...-cajun-country

Thanks for the article. Check this out too

http://www.si.com/vault/issue/41064/1/1?cover_view=1

[Turbine]

If Marlin goes out and raises 150K this year I guarantee he'll spend that money on something that helps OUR TEAM, not our supporters.

He raised more than that with his road games this year.

[Turbine]

If we're going to schedule SWAC teams maybe we should alternate bringing in Southern and Grambling each year to the Cajundome. And Southern must bring a good portion of their band with the basketball team. Will be a crowd pleaser.

I'm in.

[Boomer]

Hammer got tired of all the bull_____ on the board. Me? I am a glutton for punishment.

Z

---I might have done the same but too many begged me to stay on to give my insights of Ragin Cajun Athletics----They said that I was the voice of objectivity!!! LOL -----But, I love T-Bines new rule of no "AD HOMINEMS"!!!

[ManAboutTown]

We talk about fund raising. Let's remember when Hud has gone out to raise money it has been for something tangible, like equipment etc.

You're more likely to get donations for something tangible as opposed to asking for money to give to another school to play you at the Cajundome.

Reality is the Cajuns bring in $179-200K per year in guarantees and that money is not being reinvested into scheduling, but rather to balance the budget. Some of you would rather this team not play at home at all rather than play non D-1's. That makes no sense.

And as far as your "at large" bid is concerned, get real. This isn't the 1980's any more...or even the 90s. i can give you countless examples of schools with stellar records that don't get a sniff at selection time.

Louisiana Tech won 26 last year. Murray State won 26 IN A ROW and lost in their tournament. Not even on the bubble.

If you go 27-2 and beat at least two top 50 RPI schools and make it to the finals of your conference tournament then you might have 1/2 a chance.

Now, I'll agree with the seeding thing as far as the regular season is concerned. Its so much tougher if you aren't at least a 13. And, that's where we've fallen short here.

BUt, except for the seeding possibilities it DOES come down to three days in March 98 percent of the time. We scheduled for a good seed this year with games at Miami and UCLA and Alabama and even Pepperdine. BUt we didn't win any of them.

Playing a team at home only gets you .7 wins according to the RPI. Playing two non-D1s does NOT kill you in that regard.

I'd rather play two D-1's. But, and this goes back to something I said earlier....is it worth $150k to buy Prairie View and Nicholls? If your answer is yes, we will agree to disagree.

Why not start a campaign strictly for buying games? Put together a presentation, show it to Rebounders club, have those guys spread the word, give it 3-5 years, and let's see what happens? Even if we buy 1-2 games a year, even that can create some buzz with possibility of a big win. Meanwhile, continue taking the road games against P5 opponents and get your brand out there.

I know this is probably more complicated, but it doesn't seem to be all that difficult. There are over 350 teams playing basketball. Half of them are recognizable to the lay fan. You're telling me we can't get 1-2 a year to visit us? I just don't buy that.

[CrazyCajun]

We talk about fund raising. Let's remember when Hud has gone out to raise money it has been for something tangible, like equipment etc.

You're more likely to get donations for something tangible as opposed to asking for money to give to another school to play you at the Cajundome.

Reality is the Cajuns bring in $179-200K per year in guarantees and that money is not being reinvested into scheduling, but rather to balance the budget. Some of you would rather this team not play at home at all rather than play non D-1's. That makes no sense.

And as far as your "at large" bid is concerned, get real. This isn't the 1980's any more...or even the 90s. i can give you countless examples of schools with stellar records that don't get a sniff at selection time.

Louisiana Tech won 26 last year. Murray State won 26 IN A ROW and lost in their tournament. Not even on the bubble.

If you go 27-2 and beat at least two top 50 RPI schools and make it to the finals of your conference tournament then you might have 1/2 a chance.

Now, I'll agree with the seeding thing as far as the regular season is concerned. Its so much tougher if you aren't at least a 13. And, that's where we've fallen short here.

BUt, except for the seeding possibilities it DOES come down to three days in March 98 percent of the time. We scheduled for a good seed this year with games at Miami and UCLA and Alabama and even Pepperdine. BUt we didn't win any of them.

Playing a team at home only gets you .7 wins according to the RPI. Playing two non-D1s does NOT kill you in that regard.

I'd rather play two D-1's. But, and this goes back to something I said earlier....is it worth $150k to buy Prairie View and Nicholls? If your answer is yes, we will agree to disagree.

You are more likely to get donations if you go out and ask than if you don't, just saying.

[California Cajun]

I think there has always been some underlying frustration that the golden years of basketball from first the Shipley era and then the Paschal era evaporated. Fletcher accomplished more in the NCAA Tournament than Paschal but a lot of people didn't like him.

People want the golden years back and are basically told that for a variety of reasons the sport has passed schools like ours by and it's no longer possible. Fans are tired if hearing that.

It seems like every year a lot of people approach the start of fall practice with great anticipation and are discouraged before the start of the new year. We can't win a map game in December.