Let's Review

[Louisiana84]

"We were Top 25 in football 2 of the past 3 years, went to a bowl this season and almost beat a team headed for the P5 next year"

- epitome of UL sports .. almost did something great but fell juuuust short!


"We made the NCAA tournaments for several sports, including a super for softball."

- same story .. made tournaments, but nobody remembers us being there because we didn't win anything.


"We have facilities that are among the best in G5."

-- the gap between us and other top G5 teams (in better conferences) is shrinking, if it's still there at all


"We have dramatically expanded our campus, and we have multiple new buildings going up."

-- definitely true.. my father in law is a big "Ooh-la-la" guy and even he couldn't help but admit how great the campus looked this weekend


"The only real in-state rivals we have left are State & Tulane."

- what in the world? Baseball/football/basketball against LA Tech, you penciling in a win? Because I'm not.. you feel confident in Dez beating ULM?


"Now, think were we were 10 years ago. Think where we were just 5 years ago."

- 5 years ago we were drawing 30k at football and top 10 attendance in baseball ... that ain't NEARLY the case anymore.. Even with all of our almosts you listed.

"People here have been whining."

All of the things you mentioned as positives have largely been squandered by the university, as far as upward momentum goes.. We're also getting decimated in every sport by P5 NIL money...

There's plenty to whine about but I agree, plenty to be thankful for as well. I don't share your sentiment that everything is rosey just because everything was a dumpster fire 20 years ago

Listen to CajunFun... he knows what he is talking about!

[CajunVic]

"We were Top 25 in football 2 of the past 3 years, went to a bowl this season and almost beat a team headed for the P5 next year"

- epitome of UL sports .. almost did something great but fell juuuust short!


"We made the NCAA tournaments for several sports, including a super for softball."

- same story .. made tournaments, but nobody remembers us being there because we didn't win anything.


"We have facilities that are among the best in G5."

-- the gap between us and other top G5 teams (in better conferences) is shrinking, if it's still there at all


"We have dramatically expanded our campus, and we have multiple new buildings going up."

-- definitely true.. my father in law is a big "Ooh-la-la" guy and even he couldn't help but admit how great the campus looked this weekend


"The only real in-state rivals we have left are State & Tulane."

- what in the world? Baseball/football/basketball against LA Tech, you penciling in a win? Because I'm not.. you feel confident in Dez beating ULM?


"Now, think were we were 10 years ago. Think where we were just 5 years ago."

- 5 years ago we were drawing 30k at football and top 10 attendance in baseball ... that ain't NEARLY the case anymore.. Even with all of our almosts you listed.

"People here have been whining."

All of the things you mentioned as positives have largely been squandered by the university, as far as upward momentum goes.. We're also getting decimated in every sport by P5 NIL money...

There's plenty to whine about but I agree, plenty to be thankful for as well. I don't share your sentiment that everything is rosey just because everything was a dumpster fire 20 years ago

You are the epitome of this board and the vocal Cajun fan. This could be enough to make 90% just turn off Cajun Sports.

Listen to Dr Fun, he has a path towards success, not doldrums . . .

[CajunVic]

I believe this year we happened to fit right into a protected class. You repeatedly saw Brian say if they let this one in to be consistent they need to let us in and if they let that one in, to be consistent they need to let us in. He had about three or four of those and combined we were alway ahead of the end of the cut line so we got in.

[CharlieK]

I really don’t understand why some on here even follow this program. It seems to make them so unhappy. There are always things that can be better and healthy debate on ways to improve. But some on here are just so relentlessly negative, I don’t get what if any joy they get out of their fandom. Post what you want, whatever, I just don’t get it.

[sportsfanatic21]

I really don’t understand why some on here even follow this program. It seems to make them so unhappy. There are always things that can be better and healthy debate on ways to improve. But some on here are just so relentlessly negative, I don’t get what if any joy they get out of their fandom. Post what you want, whatever, I just don’t get it.

Exactly what’s been on my mind the entire baseball season. And last year too for that matter.

If following a team makes you SO aggravated/unhappy/embarrassed, etc, then why are you even paying attention?

It’s obvious in the threads. The certain group has nothing to say during wins and 8 pages of bashing and criticism for losses.

Well actually, they gripe about a lot of wins too. Opponent was terrible, should have won by more, the coach is stupid, players should be left in the city where they made a mistake, and on and on.

I just don’t get the personality trait that makes folks feel the need to publicly and relentlessly bash something they are supposedly a supporter of. It’s mind boggling.

Disclaimer: this IS NOT about the fans that make observations about things they don’t agree with. That’s perfectly normal. So don’t get offended if my post doesn’t pertain to you. The ones it’s referring to know who they are. And I’m not bashing them, I’m just making an observation that I think it’s weird as hell to be so emotional about something you obviously don’t even like.

[BayouRichard]

That is horrific. I am so sorry, for your family, and for everyone who has ever seen what no one should see.

Which is millions and millions of people, even today. As you note, and as State's 1st president is remembered for saying, "War is hell." I spent years researching this stuff in depth while I was working on my book. I suspect that the only reason it didn't break me was because all my years in the ER taught me how to compartmentalize.

But I have to keep the vault locked & barred to this day.

Thanks for sharing.

[CajunFun]

Exactly what’s been on my mind the entire baseball season. And last year too for that matter.

If following a team makes you SO aggravated/unhappy/embarrassed, etc, then why are you even paying attention?

It’s obvious in the threads. The certain group has nothing to say during wins and 8 pages of bashing and criticism for losses.

Well actually, they gripe about a lot of wins too. Opponent was terrible, should have won by more, the coach is stupid, players should be left in the city where they made a mistake, and on and on.

I just don’t get the personality trait that makes folks feel the need to publicly and relentlessly bash something they are supposedly a supporter of. It’s mind boggling.

Disclaimer: this IS NOT about the fans that make observations about things they don’t agree with. That’s perfectly normal. So don’t get offended if my post doesn’t pertain to you. The ones it’s referring to know who they are. And I’m not bashing them, I’m just making an observation that I think it’s weird as hell to be so emotional about something you obviously don’t even like.

I, too, wonder about these things.

I would encourage each of us to look at UL, and the Cajuns teams, as family. Because I love UL... win, lose, draw.

And I don't see that everywhere. I see too many 'supporters' of schools and teams who have no real love, no real commitment. Because real love is a commitment, a commitment we don't abandon.

Love based on how one feels at the moment, isn't really love. It's infatuation, it's looking for someone else to validate us. We should be validating our kids, our students, and our student-athletes.

Not vice versa.

Yes, I suffer and get frustrated when we lose.

But those are my kids out there. And I hope they're yours, too. Support them like you would your own kids. (Which makes me worry about all of our fair-weather fans: Do they treat their own kids the same way? I hope not.)

I support most of the coaches, as well, but I admit I have a criteria there: are they teaching our kids character?

For me, a critical part of character, and what I love about so many of our coaches, is: You don't back down from anyone, anywhere, any time. You may lose, but do not play afraid.

And don't dodge the tough opponent. The coaches who frustrate me are those who won't schedule the best they can find; or, those who schedule them, and then act scared. And by poor example, make the kids play scared.

I can take it if my kids lose. But I don't take it well if the coach is convincing them, even subconsciously, that they can't compete with anyone.

Because that's what I want for my own kids, too. Don't be afraid to try. Don't be afraid to lose.

And never, ever, play afraid.

[ManAboutTown]

“Real love” also comes with the obligation to have tough conversations and shine light in dark places. There is a sect of our fanbase (and Administration) who are often times too quick to sweep things under the rug and sunshine pump. We will never achieve up to our potential with that attitude.

Yes, we’ve certainly improved in many ways over the last 2 decades. And yes, we fall woefully short of an acceptable standard in many ways. Both things can be true. I have no problem with people acknowledging our triumphs, as long as it doesn’t come at the expense of addressing our weaknesses.

[sportsfanatic21]

Weaknesses can be addressed without vitriol. Especially towards the players.

The coaches are getting paid to do a job, and contrary to a lot of what has been said about them all season each of the last 2 years, they are doing it well. But they know that some of that stuff, while usually completely uninformed and mostly ridiculous, comes with the job.

Players are a different story. This isn’t football or basketball. Most of these players, if not all of them, are paying to represent UL on the field.

[ManAboutTown]

Weaknesses can be addressed without vitriol. Especially towards the players.

The coaches are getting paid to do a job, and contrary to a lot of what has been said about them all season each of the last 2 years, they are doing it well. But they know that some of that stuff, while usually completely uninformed and mostly ridiculous, comes with the job.

Players are a different story. This isn’t football or basketball. Most of these players, if not all of them, are paying to represent UL on the field.

And the overwhelming majority of our baseball and softball fanbases do not go after players.

[sportsfanatic21]

And the overwhelming majority of our baseball and softball fanbases do not go after players.

Hence the disclaimer in my original post about it.

[CajunRage]

I'll bite.

I very rarely come to this site during games just to see what folks are talking about. It's usually because something happened and I want to discuss. So, when things are going well, I don't really have a need to come here. I also don't believe in saying "great job team, you did everything you were supposed to" on a message board as often as some of you would like. I have posted it several times throughout the season but will not come here and congratulate the team on every victory. I'm also bit of a baseball purist and Deggs style of coaching is not very conducive to that. There's a reason he's getting paid and I'm on a message board, but I don't have to like everything he does. I'm going to mention it every single time because I believe that there's a reason that many baseball strategies have stood the test of time. The biggest pet peeve of mine, though, and likely the biggest reason that I lean to the negative side and get into arguments is that there are some that will claim to be Robe "disciples" (for lack of better term) but will go out of their way to justify things that Tony would be rolling in his grave over. A couple examples, pitching staff management and poor baserunning (both by players and coaches). Saying Deggs is the man now is one thing. Talking about how it's smart and good strategy is another.

All that said, I love this school and love this program. My dad wore Cajuns across his chest and every one of his children holds a degree from here. I want the best for the program and hope this team can hoist a trophy in a few weeks doing it whatever way they can.