The Ragin Cajun Brand & Conference Realignment: Rick Jones

[RedTails]

Great listen. Some things that stood out to me:

1. Biggest external threat athletics faces moving forward is convincing millennials and newer generations to come out to games.

2. His point that our fanbase is missing Gen X'ers due to oil bust in 80s.

3. Gameday experience has to be way better (ours is not good)

4. Liked his idea of non-revenue generating sports being in different conferences to save money.

Refreshing to hear about the big picture from someone who knows his stuff. Loved his perspective, stories, and knowledge.

[HoustonCajun]

Awesome interview! And, you ended with the right question. Just what are UL's conference ambitions? To join the AAC, to remain in an expanded SBC and win the conference for a few years in a row before moving on, to build an entertainment complex with the city along with the stadium renovations, to stair-step our way through all of this? What is our Master Plan for the next 5-10 years to take UL to another level? Rick said that all great programs have rivals. We lost ours with LA Tech and don't have one now. I found it interesting that he thinks UL should perceive itself as Louisville and VA Tech did in building its programs and make LSU our major rival as we are the #2 school in the state and are on the verge of Doctoral 1 status academically. We need to get our university and fans to think of UL at that level. I think in many ways, our membership in the Sun Belt hurts our perception and holds us back. We need to better utilize our unique culture and geographic location. We need to create a better fan experience at our games. An expanded SBC may still be our best short term solution, but we should have a higher level goal and a plan to achieve that goal.

[ManAboutTown]

I’ve been trying to say for 20 years, forget Tech, forget Tulane.

LSU is our rival. It doesn’t matter what they think. We will MAKE them our rival.

[lcitsh]

I’ve been trying to say for 20 years, forget Tech, forget Tulane.

LSU is our rival. It doesn’t matter what they think. We will MAKE them our rival.

The best (maybe only) way you will do that is get more Cajuns in the legislature and Governor's mansion. Good luck.

[ManAboutTown]

The best (maybe only) way you will do that is get more Cajuns in the legislature and Governor's mansion. Good luck.

First, you have to get people to believe. Then you have to get people to care. Then you have to get them to invest.

We are on step 3.

Next, from a position with some leverage, you start pressuring Baton Rouge to play. Then you beat them.

THEN you need the legislature to continue the series when LSU&A&MC refuses.

[Policarp]

Awesomeness achieved.....And almost better than Viagra!

[CajunNation]

General idea....Start thinking about and treating your school and athletic department like the major program it should be.

As supporters that means giving more and demanding more.

As an athletic program, it means better conferences and better scheduling. The worst thing we can do is schedule down. If we don't associate with the schools we want to be like in our present conference, then do so in your non-conference schedule.

I've have always believed that P5 status begins in the mind. You are who you think you are.

[Turbine]

General idea....Start thinking about and treating your school and athletic department like the major program it should be.

As supporters that means giving more and demanding more.

As an athletic program, it means better conferences and better scheduling. The worst thing we can do is schedule down. If we don't associate with the schools we want to be like in our present conference, then do so in your non-conference schedule.

I've have always believed that P5 status begins in the mind. You are who you think you are.

Great place of mind to start.

[HoustonCajun]

First, you have to get people to believe. Then you have to get people to care. Then you have to get them to invest.

We are on step 3.

Next, from a position with some leverage, you start pressuring Baton Rouge to play. Then you beat them.

THEN you need the legislature to continue the series when LSU&A&MC refuses.

I think the better competition we play, the better conference we are affiliated with, the better facilities we have, and the more we continue to win will get people to believe, care, invest and attend. And, when they do attend, we need to make sure they have the right experience that will keep them coming back.

[fanof71]

This was fantastic! So much of what he mentioned are topics that have been discussed on this board for the last so many years. He made too much sense! The football schedule needs a serious upgrade, while our "casual fan alumni" need a swift kick in the azz to support this athletic program and not the one in Red ____. But, that goes back to giving those folks a good enough reason to attend games and give money. Those reasons have not been communicated well or often enough.