Louisiana athletics operated at $8 million deficit during 2023 fiscal year

[ZoomZoom]

Curiosity question…a few semesters back, the grads received UL Alumni auto license trim plates? Was that a one time thing or still happening? Thought was a great move, payoff down the road.

[GreatestStory]

Supply and demand is such a simple concept that it blows my mind that the supply of seats, tailgating spots, etc. keeps increasing yearly and the prices either stay the same or increase. It's maddening to watch in real time over the years.

RCAF numbers are atrocious and I do not see a path for growth with their current model and lack of effort to execute.

It takes a lot of effort to get people to join RCAF. Then after they got it rolling, they started changing things like: an RCAF donation will no longer get you a parking pass, parking passes are now $60. People used to give to the RCAF for little perks like parking passes. You can't ask people to pay a membership fee so they can be granted the right to spend more money. Just increase the fee and give them a dang parking pass.

I could go one for hours about how f"d up tailgating has become. We once had one of the best tailgates in the country which the RCAF ruined in record time. Most other tailgates are first come, first served and people get out there early to secure their spot. We charge some of the highest tailgating fees in the country (not talking about turnkey tailgating where tents, tables, chairs, coolers, etc. are provided), I'm talking about a section of grass with nothing on it

I don't want to bad mouth one of our own, but what public engagement is CMD doing?

I understand Coach Des isn't a rah-rah guy like Hud, but it is ridiculous to watch him doing TV commercials with local attorneys but not on TV asking fans to come out to Cajun Field? That is not a good look.

I understand it is expensive to run an athletic department, but it is even more expensive when you consistently make poor decisions.

[Esqueleto]

Supply and demand is such a simple concept that it blows my mind that the supply of seats, tailgating spots, etc. keeps increasing yearly and the prices either stay the same or increase. It's maddening to watch in real time over the years.

RCAF numbers are atrocious and I do not see a path for growth with their current model and lack of effort to execute.

It takes a lot of effort to get people to join RCAF. Then after they got it rolling, they started changing things like: an RCAF donation will no longer get you a parking pass, parking passes are now $60. People used to give to the RCAF for little perks like parking passes. Now you have to pay extra for the once free perks.

I could go one for hours about how f"d up tailgating has become. We once had one of the best tailgates in the country which the RCAF ruined in record time. Most other tailgates are first come, first served and people get out there early to secure their spot. We charge some of the highest tailgating fees in the country (not talking about turnkey tailgating where tents, tables, chairs, coolers, etc. are provided), I'm talking about a section of grass with nothing on it



I understand Coach Des isn't a rah-rah guy like Hud, but it is ridiculous to watch him doing TV commercials with local attorneys but not on TV asking fans to come out to Cajun Field? That is not a good look.

I understand it is expensive to run an athletic department, but it is even more expensive when you consistently make poor decisions.

Amen, great post

[CrazyCajun]

How many opportunities has CMD turned down? Im pretty sure he would go wherever he isasked to go. Some of you expect the man to run the entire athletic department. He shouldnt be the one lining these things up, now if he refuses to do it when the opportunity arrises, thats different.

[CrazyCajun]

Supply and demand is such a simple concept that it blows my mind that the supply of seats, tailgating spots, etc. keeps increasing yearly and the prices either stay the same or increase. It's maddening to watch in real time over the years.

RCAF numbers are atrocious and I do not see a path for growth with their current model and lack of effort to execute.

It takes a lot of effort to get people to join RCAF. Then after they got it rolling, they started changing things like: an RCAF donation will no longer get you a parking pass, parking passes are now $60. People used to give to the RCAF for little perks like parking passes. You can't ask people to pay a membership fee so they can be granted the right to spend more money. Just increase the fee and give them a dang parking pass.

I could go one for hours about how f"d up tailgating has become. We once had one of the best tailgates in the country which the RCAF ruined in record time. Most other tailgates are first come, first served and people get out there early to secure their spot. We charge some of the highest tailgating fees in the country (not talking about turnkey tailgating where tents, tables, chairs, coolers, etc. are provided), I'm talking about a section of grass with nothing on it



I understand Coach Des isn't a rah-rah guy like Hud, but it is ridiculous to watch him doing TV commercials with local attorneys but not on TV asking fans to come out to Cajun Field? That is not a good look.

I understand it is expensive to run an athletic department, but it is even more expensive when you consistently make poor decisions.

should he pay to produce his own commercials? again, whose fault is this really? im sure if the athletic department lined up a commercial shoot he would do it but certainly you're not suggesting he do this on his own?

[GreatestStory]

I used to have four season tickets for football, baseball, softball, and basketball. I have also been an RCAF donor since it's inception. Currently, I have only baseball (first row Supreme Rice section), but with the latest price increase for those tickets I am thinking about letting them go and when that does, so will the RCAF donation.

We still attend games for all UL sports, but just purchase tickets to the individual games we decide to attend.

So what has my family done with the thousands of dollars we have saved the last few years since we dropped all those tickets and personal seat donations? We have gone on several AWESOME family vacations and made unforgettable memories with our children and grandchildren.

...but don't worry, as soon as my wife, kids, & grandkids start telling me how much they miss watching Marlin ball at the CajunDome, we will stop with the fun filled vacations and be back in our seats. Just a heads up, don't hold your breathe.

[GreatestStory]

should he pay to produce his own commercials? again, whose fault is this really? im sure if the athletic department lined up a commercial shoot he would do it but certainly you're not suggesting he do this on his own?

By no means am I blaming Coach Des and I'm not suggesting he do it on his own.

Just get whoever was paying for all of Hud's "Hold the Rope" and "I'll see you at Cajun Field" commercials to foot the bill.

[Turbine]

How many opportunities has CMD turned down? Im pretty sure he would go wherever he isasked to go. Some of you expect the man to run the entire athletic department. He shouldnt be the one lining these things up, now if he refuses to do it when the opportunity arrises, thats different.

I don't know how he did it but Hud gave the appearance of just showing up at events.

Im sure he had permission to land a helicopter at a Friday night high school football game but it came across as impromptu.

Buzz

[CajunVic]

I don't know how he did it but Hud gave the appearance of just showing up at events.

Im sure he had permission to land a helicopter at a Friday night high school football game but it came across as impromptu.

Buzz

Not sure he had permission to land it where it was landed (did a pretty good job on the baseball field). You never knew where you would find HUD . . . he was everywhere.

[CrazyCajun]

I don't know how he did it but Hud gave the appearance of just showing up at events.

Im sure he had permission to land a helicopter at a Friday night high school football game but it came across as impromptu.

Buzz

He didnt do it all on his own. You dont just show up at peoples scheduled events to speak, you have to be invited or someone in the department is in charge of lining these things up.

[CrazyCajun]

Not sure he had permission to land it where it was landed (did a pretty good job on the baseball field). You never knew where you would find HUD . . . he was everywhere.

which is also what got him in trouble here, and every place since

[Turbine]

which is also what got him in trouble here, and every place since

That is 180 degrees unrelated.