They’ve Given Up

[sportsfanatic21]

I watch Cajuns football and basketball very casually these days. If they are playing well (basketball last year or football in Napier’s time) I’ll watch on line if I don’t have anything else going on. But don’t go to any games in person anymore. And I am a former season ticket holder in both sports.

The games used to be “events” and the excitement is just not there anymore. The apathy is sad.

There are plenty of reason for it, some out of the University’s control, but things are going backward for sure.

I rarely miss an inning of Cajuns baseball. I can’t see that changing either, so at least I’m still locked in there.

[cajunfan96]

Won’t market. Wont sell. Won’t listen. Won’t interact. Won’t implement real solutions. Won’t shoot people straight. Won’t adjust. Won’t work.

Can’t protect media market. Can’t gain trust of the community. Can’t understand that the messaging is paramount. Can’t engage with the general population. Can’t grow the RCAF. Can’t get acceptable gear to the fans. Cant resurrect tailgating. Can’t figure out a mascot. Can’t think ahead.

They want to be App and USM, want to charge the prices of App and USM, but they’re unwilling to understand the people of Acadiana are different and respond to different things. They don’t want to do the work that it takes to get that level of support, either.

Is it NIL? Is it changing landscape of collegiate athletics? Is it incompetence? Does Maggard have one foot out of the door? Maybe all of the above but one thing is very clear: They’ve given up.

And I’ll explain on my final Ragin Review show with Gerry and Nick coming soon.

Very Sad indeed!
Seems like they have adopted the Alumni Assn. model and only cater to a select few.

[babysitter]

This university and it's athletics were far more exciting back in the USL Bulldog days. I know some of you young bucks hate that but believe me, if you would have lived it you would have loved it. So whatever "USL'ing it" may mean to some of you, please explain this total dumpster fire we're all witnessing within the University of "Louisiana". What's that called ?

For that matter half the city doesn't know what to call the school, can't figure out a mascot [that's rocket science], can't raise money for schitt, can't put azzes in the stands for anything and much much more. It's a pathetic situation.

This administration hates the "W" word. Anything requiring a little bit of effort is way too much. It's called not caring. So now it's time for the diehards to chime in and throw themselves on the proverbial sword and tell us how great things really are and all the positive things that we're not seeing. Let it begin. We're all ears.

[cajunjayhawk]

I'm young, but it feels like, on a national scale, our athletic brand is more well known than ever before. However, I cannot deny the fact it seems interest in our athletics teams across Lafayette and surrounding parishes is possibly at its lowest.

LSU is a competitor for attention, interest, support, and attendance, whether we like it or not. In my opinion, this plays a big factor. It always has been something to deal with, but I feel it's even more elevated, today. I think it's fair to say they provide a product that is more attractive than we do. Reputable opponents, clearer path to a National Championship, on-field quality, and fan experience. Cost is higher to attend in-person, sure. From a purely objective POV, the cost vs. benefit of supporting them is higher than cost vs. benefit, supporting us. Having them one hour down the road, nationally televised every Saturday, and protected by LALege constantly, certainly doesn't help, but those are the cards we're dealt.

[cajunjayhawk]

And I’ll explain on my final Ragin Review show with Gerry and Nick coming soon.

I don't agree with everything that's been expressed through Ragin Review, sorry MAT, but I have appreciated the work you all have put into in and the passion for all things Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns you three have shown. Its organic growth over the past couple years is one of many things I'm sure y'all will look back and be proud of.
You put a spotlight on Cajun Athletics, interacted with fans, and provided information in a way that brought people together, even if there were disagreements. For that, thanks.

[RaginScotsman]

Well, this is all very depressing. Agree with many of the points. At least just from what I've seen. But, just very depressing. Thanks, guys.

Bowl appearances and wins, conference championships in football, baseball, softball, men's basketball. NCAA appearances, super regionals. All of that in the past couple of years and we're still talking about the lack of excitement and buzz around community for its university and athletics and who's at fault for that.

[ULvictory]

I'm young, but it feels like, on a national scale, our athletic brand is more well known than ever before. However, I cannot deny the fact it seems interest in our athletics teams across Lafayette and surrounding parishes is possibly at its lowest.

LSU is a competitor for attention, interest, support, and attendance, whether we like it or not. In my opinion, this plays a big factor. It always has been something to deal with, but I feel it's even more elevated, today. I think it's fair to say they provide a product that is more attractive than we do. Reputable opponents, clearer path to a National Championship, on-field quality, and fan experience. Cost is higher to attend in-person, sure. From a purely objective POV, the cost vs. benefit of supporting them is higher than cost vs. benefit, supporting us. Having them one hour down the road, nationally televised every Saturday, and protected by LALege constantly, certainly doesn't help, but those are the cards we're dealt.

Our best season for average attendance was in 2011 with just under 30k. That same year TSAB was #1 in the country for most of the year. The difference? Fan engagement. Hud went around town telling everyone "I want Cajun Field to be the most dangerous place to play in the nation," and the people here took it to heart along with the "Hold The Rope" campaign which took off. We brought 40k plus to the Superdome during that 4 year run like it was nothing. Our attendance against Tulane in the 2013 NOLA bowl came just under 60k, and we outnumbered them 4-1 IN THEIR OWN STADIUM at the time. So, the people are there. We just have to put some effort and go get them again.

As for MAT and Ragin Review, it's going to be tough to say goodbye. But the show must go on as Nick and I will carry the torch. But there's no doubt MAT played a huge role in growing this thing into what it is today. His passion and hard work has made us one of the more popular recent college fan podcasts.

[RaginDave]

When diehards like the ones on this board start saying they are done, that is when we are in real trouble. I will never be done, not as a fan, not as a supporter, not now and not ever. We may not like the direction the administration is taking, but that doesn't mean we give up, that means we scream louder. When guys like MAT and others "give up" we are done. So, they didn't listen to you, so f'n what, say it again to different people, or say it in a different way. Don't give up, don't ever give up on this school and this athletic program. We may not like it, but losing the diehards are the end of this athletic program. We need to build a new group of diehards behind us. I see more UL and Louisiana and Ragin' Cajuns around this town then I did 30 years ago. I think there is an opportunity, it's going to take hard work and getting our hands dirty.

The starting point for this corporations around town. We need to take companies, big, small and medium size that support UL and promote the hell out of them all over social media, word of mouth and everywhere in between. We need to get our business around town to get their employees and children into the stadium every Saturday. Sure, we would love them to be corporate sponsors, but they don't have to be, they can support from outside the RCAF if they would like.

This would need to be a grassroots effort from the fan base, if the university does not get on board with us, then we will do it without them.

I will never stop supporting the Cajuns, NEVER!!!!!!

The day I take my last breath on this earth, I will still be watching a Cajun event.

[RaginScotsman]

I will never stop supporting the Cajuns, NEVER!!!!!!

The day I take my last breath on this earth, I will still be watching a Cajun event.

That picked up the mood a bit. Good stuff.

[cajun4life]

It starts in Martin Hall and trickles down to everything else. This university is the Harvard/Yale/Princeton/MIT of doing it wrong. Has been for 50 years with few exceptions. Same ole dance to a different song.

[Louisiana84]

Respect your opinion, MAT. But I really don't agree with this at all. It's okay to be frustrated, but airing it out is not helping. Be positive.

Be a part of the solution, not a part of the problem. I have a feeling Tony would just man up, go to work, and get it done. He set an example. He dealt with all the frustrations you are dealing with, and it did not stop him.

If you want to change what is going on, you must start with yourself. Don't 86 it; 36 it.

[RedTails]

We need some salesmen on commission. Find some retired O&G sales guys that are bored. They already know the local business community. I mean I bet my dad would do it.

My recent anecdote about a friend who is a local small business owner and the RCAF, the conclusion to that plot was: we have nothing available, do you want to be on a waitlist?

No, "would you like x, y, z instead or while you wait for a box to open up? If you are also looking to donate, we have x,y,z initiatives that can get you an elevated RCAF membership."

Not trying to pile on, but it's definitely a contributing factor to the apathy described in this thread. I think it's easy for other posters and even the admin to dismiss threads and posts like this as complainers, but it's only that we care. When there's no caring anymore, turn the lights off.