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

[Ragin' Caleb]

Are we 100% sure that tailgating spots didn't sell out?

There are open spots around me but they are all paid for. Most only show up for Homecoming for whatever reason.

If this is a chronic problem, why not have all these people pay a considerably cheaper "fee" and give it to whoever shows up first on Friday or saturday morning. First come first serve

[anhil8tor]

If this is a chronic problem, why not have all these people pay a considerably cheaper "fee" and give it to whoever shows up first on Friday or saturday morning. First come first serve

What about those that have season tickets but never show up? I know in baseball it happens alot. How do you police something like tailgating and season ticket holders?

[Million$Mullet]

There are plenty of unused RV spots along Congress st. Whether or not they are paid for I don’t know but it’s been pretty empty next to our spot for the first two games

[cajun_lannister]

If this is a chronic problem, why not have all these people pay a considerably cheaper "fee" and give it to whoever shows up first on Friday or saturday morning. First come first serve

Yeah no... Miss State/ Ole miss does that, and it just leads to private business making deals with the univ to take prime tailgating locations and charge 2,000 a year for turnkey tailgating.

[CajunT]

If there were that many unsold tailgating locations as he suggests, he is right. Three years ago we had a waiting list on these spots and if they are now going unpurchased and unused, the idea that the university is pricing itself out for these once high demand spots is accurate. I can tell you from my perspective it is getting harder and harder to justify the money I spend yearly for football and I've been doing this for about 15 years.

I would agree with you wholeheartedly with the exception that I don't think just because you are getting high level donations that you are guaranteed success. At some point, the fan has to feel that there is a relationship between what they are spending (donating) and the success of the team.

The prices right now were necessary moving forward. We've had the same discussion regarding baseball this past season. Fans don't like increased parking and seating cost when they don't see improvement in the product on the field.

I've have consistently told people, including Harris and a few others that Lafayette is not your market, the Sun Belt Conference is today. If we are going to continue to raise prices for tailgating, parking, club memberships and seating, supporters will eventually not see the value in the cost and the product on the fields and courts.

I'm okay with this years increases, but if the quality of athletics doesn't match the cost, eventually I will down size on what I pay for when it comes to seats, parking and donations. You can't continue to increase the cost every year for your supporters and the value of the product does excite them or motivate them to pay it.

[Big Poppa]

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.

When did we move to CUSA?

[Cajunsmike]

The prices right now were necessary moving forward. We've had the same discussion regarding baseball this past season. Fans don't like increased parking and seating cost when they don't see improvement in the product on the field.

I've have consistently told people, including Harris and a few others that Lafayette is not your market, the Sun Belt Conference is today. If we are going to continue to raise prices for tailgating, parking, club memberships and seating, supporters will eventually not see the value in the cost and the product on the fields and courts.

I'm okay with this years increases, but if the quality of athletics doesn't match the cost, eventually I will down size on what I pay for when it comes to seats, parking and donations. You can't continue to increase cost year for your supporters and the value of the product does not meet it.

Our conference probably does hold us back some despite the reality being different than perception. Unfortunately that won't change anytime soon. Administrators have indicated further realignment is probably five years away. That may be a good thing for us as it gives time for football to become relevant.

[Big Poppa]

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.

When I was in school 90% of the student support at games came from greek organizations. We would have pre game parties at the house then walk over to the game. The university does not allow those types of parties and has done every thing possible to try and shut down the greek organizations. That is where a big chunk of your missing students are coming from compared to years past.

[facelessjonmoon]

Does anyone know how peer institutions (such as Arkansas State and USM) handle tailgating? Seriously curious about that

There has to be a happy medium between raising money and maximizing game and tailgating atmosphere and attendance.

My feeling is that winning will cure this problem , but something has to give

[Ragin' Caleb]

What about those that have season tickets but never show up? I know in baseball it happens alot. How do you police something like tailgating and season ticket holders?

In its simplest form, show up and you'll have a spot. The earlier you show up, the better the spot. Incentive to show up, more incentive if you want a great spot. Create supply and demand whereas now that doesn't seem apparent

[Ragin' Caleb]

When I was in school 90% of the student support at games came from greek organizations. We would have pre game parties at the house then walk over to the game. The university does not allow those types of parties and has done every thing possible to try and shut down the greek organizations. That is where a big chunk of your missing students are coming from compared to years past.

The Greeks are so busy doing their own thing to put emphasis on athletics (football in this case). For example sororities dont go the first game bc they cant drink bc they aren't done with accepting classes for the fall. Last game, against coastal, a bunch didnt show bc they had a fall social to go to. There's no culture to be enthusiastic about going. Everyone leaves at half even if they do go. Then they have parents weekend and too busy doing stuff with them to go to the game. Homecoming they pull up all nighters drinking and making their floats for the parade to even make it into the stadium. Take your pick, it's never been about the game itself....

[BBcajun]

I'd be curious to know how many RV spots were actually unsold. When our group looked into moving RV spots before this season, there were only a couple available. General tailgating spots, I am not sure

As far as the empty RV spots go, there are a lot of factors that go into that. For the first game out of my group of 8 tickets/ people, I was the only one that went and used a ticket. This was mostly due to weather. Last weekend, they were all out of town. I was at both games myself, but our tailgating spot did not get used either weekend. It takes way too much time and effort to setup an RV spot by yourself. And those spots require an RV to be present. You can't just pop up a tent even if you bought or have access to the spot.Just an example


It would be nice if there was a secondary market (whether free or for a charge) for making these spots available to others if they are not going to be used

Some Coastal Carolina fans stopped by our RV this weekend and hung out with us. Their son is a RS Freshmen running back. They were very impressed with the RV area and the electrical hookups. They asked if there was an option for Visitor RV Spots on a per game basis. So yes...secondary market would be good for the unused spots.