If you want to move up to the next level we need to move forward with the gator mascot.
Look at any major university in a state. A animal or thing is connected with that state except for a few. This is a few that are
Examples: Longhorns, Gamecocks, Razorbacks, Wolverines, Buckeyes, Tar Heels, Cornhuskers, Seminoles, Rebels, Lobos, Hoosiers etc.
In this thinking we have Ragin Cajuns which may connect us to this region but does not connect us to the rest of the state like a gator mascot.
We do not have the luxury like LSU, Clemson, Georgia, Missouri etc. we have to have something else that connects with the rest of the state.
The main thing for fans they want to be connected to the University in some way.
Us trying to connect the rest of Louisiana to this University is the way we need to market moving forward.
There is no animal, or thing like a gator that the rest of the country thinks about when they hear Louisiana. Crawfish maybe is associated with it.
I promise you they think Gator when they hear Louisiana. It’s not a Bulldog, or catahoula hound dog, etc .