Technically ULS has no "Flagship" (+USN&WR)

[Cajunsmike]

The title "Flagship" is used in this state to polish a turd. LSU uses it because it's all about perception to show the rest of the state that "we are bigger than you." What the title doesn't show is the huge tower of debt their school is in at the expense of us, the hardworking tax payers. But I guess someone has to pay for that lazy river and Tiger habitat.

With that being said, that R1 ranking for us is smelling good right about now with the efforts that we have put into research. Inside the academic world, THAT is what these people look at. They don't care as much about US News Report or the "flagship" title. When they see how much we have invested in research, that is how we gain the academic respect. The rest is just window dressing.

The folks at US News and World Report have admitted their ranking criteria is very subjective. One of the criteria they use is per cent of grads who donate back to their alma mater. In the past, Tech has been ahead of us in that regard.

[Cajunfanatico]

Don't worry, I think you are used to it... The unpopular part. LOL. In regards to the fossil bringing us from regional status to national status, I'd love to hear how he did this and how we are there.

Regional in the state to state-wide is more like it.

[Cajunfanatico]

He foolishly listened to Blanco and others that an African American coach would be beneficial to the program. The Baldwin fiasco is easily his biggest failure and he should rightfully be blamed.

It wasn't that he was African American. There are plenty of African Americans who'd have made a great football coach for this university. The problem was that the was totally unqualified, be he black, white, or stripped.

[cajun_lannister]

The folks at US News and World Report have admitted their ranking criteria is very subjective. One of the criteria they use is percent of grads who donate back to their alma mater. In the past, Tech has been ahead of us in that regard.

they sneak around this by charging grads a few dollars in their graduation fee that go towards that donation.

[cajun_lannister]

It wasn't that he was African American. There are plenty of African Americans who'd have made a great football coach for this university. The problem was that the was totally unqualified, be he black, white, or stripped.

It hurts even more that Larry Blakeney had accepted the job ...

[MetryCajun]

A top 50 athletic program with Tier 1 research status doesn't equate to an athletic/academic power? There are like 350 division 1 schools. Being in the top 50 athletically while also maintaining the highest research level would be the definition of a an Athletic/Academic power I would think.

Do you view Houston or Memphis as Academic/Athletic power. I don’t, but I think they fit the criteria I laid out. I would love for us to be at their level and I think most everyone else would also.

[Cajunfanatico]

Do you view Houston or Memphis as Academic/Athletic power. I don’t, but I think they fit the criteria I laid out. I would love for us to be at their level and I think most everyone else would also.

Agreed.

It's been a long while since there were discussions on ESPN and the like about realignment, but from what I recall, those two, Houston and Memphis, were always considered in the mix as possible call-ups. They're certainly doing something right.

[CharlieK]

Do you view Houston or Memphis as Academic/Athletic power. I don’t, but I think they fit the criteria I laid out. I would love for us to be at their level and I think most everyone else would also.

Not an academic power. Not an athletic power. But as schools who combine the two, they are a rarity. And we will be too. The only thing that can stop us are people with attitudes like yours.

[MetryCajun]

Not an academic power. Not an athletic power. But as schools who combine the two, they are a rarity. And we will be too. The only thing that can stop us are people with attitudes like yours.

My attitude (good or bad) will have no bearing on UL’s fortunes. UL will be as good as the people who run the school. It looks like we are in capable hands right now and should see continued improvement. If you view that as possessing a negative attitude that is on you.

[CharlieK]

My attitude (good or bad) will have no bearing on UL’s fortunes. UL will be as good as the people who run the school. It looks like we are in capable hands right now and should see continued improvement. If you view that as possessing a negative attitude that is on you.

An attitude LIKE yours. LIKE. There are plenty of people in positions of influence through the years who have had and attitude LIKE yours. That we should know our place. Limit our goals. Never dream big.