Why didn’t you go to LA Football game on Sat?

[Cajunrunner]

Lame 2u doesn't make untrue.

I have video I took walking in the mud, behind the bench, with students hanging over the rail during losing seasons.

Separating students from the action is the most expensive thing schools have ever done. (not just UL) They just won't know it for decades to come.

I’m actually going to agree here. During the Baldwin and early Bustle years, we still showed up because we thought with our close proximity to the other team, we could have an effect. I like to be on the very front row yelling. Whether it really made a difference or not, who knows. But from a student’s perspective, that “getting into the game” makes attending worth while rather than just drinking at an apparent watching other bigger games.

[ULGrad@HOU]

For this particular game, 2 reasons stand out.

10-56 the last game.

Severe storms rolled through areas of Acadiana in the AM followed by rain in the PM.

I was there, but those 2 things kept thousands at home.

Yes, plus an opponent that no one has any interest to play. Therefore, the slightest excuse will prevent a person from attending.

[CajunSaint08]

The last three years and the last three games have historically shown that the Ragin Cajuns football team produces a poor product. If I want to waste money, there are better options. When we see a team that has competitive games versus P5 schools and win more conference games, we might show up. If I want to spend my hard earned money on a Southland Conference football team, there are pretty good ones in Lake Charles and Thibodeaux. Thank God, they were not on this years schedule, we would have lost to those FCS teams. When UL can at least compete with P5 teams and put together a few wins in the worst college football conference in the FBS, the fans will be back.

I think Geaux speaks very directly and clearly. I have always said there are two ways to fill the stadium on a weekly basis:
1. Bring the big schools here...the Alabama's, Michigan's, UT's, and yes the LaSU's..etc.... people will fill the stand to see these teams play in Cajun field......do you remember TXA&M game?
2. Play those same big schools at their place and beat them. If we beat MSU and AL, then it wouldn't matter if we played Comeaux HS, the stands would be full to see the team that beat the AL's, Michigan's, LaSU's...

Though we didn't even have a "moral" victory against MSU, I"m so tired of moral victories. What are we now against the SEC, 0-46 (or something like that). Seems like every other team in the Sunbelt has had a victory against SEC schools. But not UL. And yet we feel like we deserve to be in another, bigger, better conference. Until we can dominate this conference, beat major universities (not a moral victory, but actual "W"), or raise enough money to buy our way into a bigger, better conference, the stands will be empty. People are tired of having to wait three years until .......

I hope Napier will turn this team around and get us to the promise land. I hope we can be the next Boise State. I hope we will get major conferences begging us to be a member someday, but until then, going to the games is not a priority. Though I sat in the raining stands for the Grambling game, I was not ready to do it twice.

I stayed home and watched it on ESPN+. And on that note, alternating QB's killed our momentum. It's time to make a stand and just play one....Nunez and use Lewis for special occasions. But this last part should be in another thread.

[Cajunrunner]

We used to have a ton of tailgaters at our spot around Bustle’s last years. It was always really easy for them to get there. They showed up early, parked close to the spot, and enjoyed the day. Once they closed off Cajun Basin to only RCAF members about half of them immediately stopped coming.

But boy I bet those huge RCAF numbers will look great for Jim Harris when he jumps to another school.

This is lame ___ ____ stuff here. I’m sorry, but that’s exactly what this is.

You want to compete even in the Sunbelt, you’ve got to raise money. Private donations to UL athletics continues to rise, so somebody is willing to pay at this point. Maybe there’s a point where people stop paying, and at that point, we need to seriously re-asses what we’re doing, but we’re still not towards the top of Sunbelt athletic budgets at this point.

The community will ultimately decide to what Athletic competitiveness they want UL to be. If monies start to remain static, then that means the community is ok with being a bottom G5 football program school that can boast baseball and softball as our pride and joy.

[CajunDreDog]

I like the discussion going on here, but let me clarify my question.

Why did you stay home or just do something different?

I’m not referring to the fans out of state, out of country, etc. If you live in LA and didn’t go, WHY?

[Cajunsmike]

The last three years and the last three games have historically shown that the Ragin Cajuns football team produces a poor product. If I want to waste money, there are better options. When we see a team that has competitive games versus P5 schools and win more conference games, we might show up. If I want to spend my hard earned money on a Southland Conference football team, there are pretty good ones in Lake Charles and Thibodeaux. Thank God, they were not on this years schedule, we would have lost to those FCS teams. When UL can at least compete with P5 teams and put together a few wins in the worst college football conference in the FBS, the fans will be back.

I know you were using hyperbole but after 3 weeks the SBC was the second ranked G5 league. I believe CUSA was at the bottom. Still your point is taken. Once we truly compete for a conference championship, support will improve. Not necessarily that season but the following.

[Cajunsmike]

I saw a ton of fans for UCF vs FAU. Just saying be great or be late. We all recall UCF from American South Conference or early SBC merger. Didn’t have a football team, and a crap baseball park.

UCF also won the Access Bowl last season and is strong again. If we get our program to that level, support will be fine. Anything leas may be only a moderate improvement.

[CajunRebel]

This is lame ___ ____ stuff here. I’m sorry, but that’s exactly what this is.

You want to compete even in the Sunbelt, you’ve got to raise money. Private donations to UL athletics continues to rise, so somebody is willing to pay at this point. Maybe there’s a point where people stop paying, and at that point, we need to seriously re-asses what we’re doing, but we’re still not towards the top of Sunbelt athletic budgets at this point.

The community will ultimately decide to what Athletic competitiveness they want UL to be. If monies start to remain static, then that means the community is ok with being a bottom G5 football program school that can boast baseball and softball as our pride and joy.

If every tailgating spot was sold and we packed Cajun Field every game I’d agree with you. But there are tons empty tailgating spots, empty parking spots, and seats at every game.

“Maybe there’s a point where people stop paying“

Yeah, we found that spot at least 2 years ago.

Back when Bustle was here (and our team was not good) fans organically filled up every tailgating spot at Cajun Field. Once Hud came in, we started charging a couple hundred bucks and we still filled up every spot and had a waiting list. But now that it costs over $1,000 for a spot once you throw in season tickets and the RCAF donation, there are almost 70 spots unused. Not 2 or 3, SEVENTY!!!

This is LITERALLY pricing out fans. This is the free market speaking loud and clear. We are charging way too damn much for our product. People would fill those spots if prices were more reasonable. They’d actually buy parking passes if prices were more reasonable. They’d go to games if prices were more reasonable.

I know a lot of people who don’t go to games anymore for these reasons.

Yes, the RCAF is making more money than ever, but cleary it is coming at the cost of lower attendance.

[facelessjonmoon]

I’m actually going to agree here. During the Baldwin and early Bustle years, we still showed up because we thought with our close proximity to the other team, we could have an effect. I like to be on the very front row yelling. Whether it really made a difference or not, who knows. But from a student’s perspective, that “getting into the game” makes attending worth while rather than just drinking at an apparent watching other bigger games.

That was a nice tradition. I haven’t seen the same student involvement since they were moved to the corner TBH

Is there a Sunbelt policy keeping students from behind the visitors bench? That was the case for basketball if I’m not mistaken

[Ragin' Caleb]

That was a nice tradition. I haven’t seen the same student involvement since they were moved to the corner TBH

Is there a Sunbelt policy keeping students from behind the visitors bench? That was the case for basketball if I’m not mistaken

There's no policy against it. Purely made for other apparent fans or visitors who "needed"the space. I'd get it if we were selling out and they wanted to restrict us to that corner but it does hurt the involvement some