The Future of Cajun Nation

[zeppelincajun]

It is.

Which is a valid topic. We can’t sustain running this program longterm with the current level of fan support. We are already in the negative and that’s with our core older fanbase still being with us. As we start to lose those folks, there’s not much left. My generation (the 32s ) has a few folks because of the HUD era and historic run in baseball but even that crew is starting to thin out. Then you’ve got the completely lost generations with the Baldwin era and this current batch where we are hellbent on harassing our frats and few students who do show up. Every couple months we see a thread on here where we’ve lost another of our lifetime, diehard fans. I’m just not seeing where we are cultivating that next group. Our student sections are light to empty. The basic things other universities do to appeal to kids we see as unnecessary. Don’t let one example you disagree with given in this thread distract you from the larger issue at hand.

[CajunVic]

Which is a valid topic. We can’t sustain running this program longterm with the current level of fan support. We are already in the negative and that’s with our core older fanbase still being with us. As we start to lose those folks, there’s not much left. My generation (the 32s ) has a few folks because of the HUD era and historic run in baseball but even that crew is starting to thin out. Then you’ve got the completely lost generations with the Baldwin era and this current batch where we are hellbent on harassing our frats and few students who do show up. Every couple months we see a thread on here where we’ve lost another of our lifetime, diehard fans. I’m just not seeing where we are cultivating that next group. Our student sections are light to empty. The basic things other universities do to appeal to kids we see as unnecessary. Don’t let one example you disagree with given in this thread distract you from the larger issue at hand.

I am not, however, to take the same ole Lazy, Easy, they do nothing attitude when you have NO facts and when some arm of the university did in fact do something positive is certainly not productive and will not lend itself to that arm doing something again that is good because all they get here is bashed, in the end.

The better route would have been a little investigation and then sitting down with the arm and get the facts and see if there is a simple solution that could be suggested. Instead, we show up here and bash the valiant effort because it was not enough even though we do not know the facts.

This, the mascot, the bus tour . . . are all little things that could help, but without information, solving each of these will not happen. Bashing them without information is a certain recipe for failure.

[Cajuns1]

I am not, however, to take the same ole Lazy, Easy, they do nothing attitude when you have NO facts and when some arm of the university did in fact do something positive is certainly not productive and will not lend itself to that arm doing something again that is good because all they get here is bashed, in the end.

The better route would have been a little investigation and then sitting down with the arm and get the facts and see if there is a simple solution that could be suggested. Instead, we show up here and bash the valiant effort because it was not enough even though we do not know the facts.

This, the mascot, the bus tour . . . are all little things that could help, but without information, solving each of these will not happen. Bashing them without information is a certain recipe for failure.

Last night someone from Rice University called me. Because I went to three baseball games last season to watch the Cajuns and saw I lived close by, they called to offer me an eight game ticket package for $125. I tested the intern who called and told her to e-mail me the info. Within 5 mins, I had all of the ticket info, as well as the date and time she would call me back to follow up. I am moving forward with purchasing the package.

Why? Because they asked. I've been giving money to UL for 20+ years. Even when I worked for them, most of that money I made went back to the university in the form of donations.

They've never EVER called me and had a conversation about tickets or giving. No one has ever personally called and thanked me for giving. And I'm not talking about donation receipts I get in the mail. I am talking about a human picking up the phone to have a conversation with a donor of 20+ years.

So how are you gonna spin that lack of communication with "having no FACTS?" I guess you'll say its somehow my fault for thinking that I need to feel appreciated or even expecting someone to talk to me as a donor.

I think it's funny that you say "sit down with them to get the facts" when they won't even return phone calls when people want to GIVE MONEY.

[CajunNation]

...I think it's funny that you say "sit down with them to get the facts" when they won't even return phone calls when people want to GIVE MONEY.

I am a guy that will never stop supporting my alma mater, but the above message is true.

I guess the reply would be that funding of staff is an issue. Well, it is only an issue because it is not important enough to the Administration, and there lies the rub.

People wonder why we don't have the same passion as other schools in our conference. Those fan bases have never had their spirits broken by their own leadership.

[Cajuns1]

I guess the reply would be that funding of staff is an issue. Well, it is only an issue because it is not important enough to the Administration, and there lies the rub.

It was a student intern who called me. But I'm sure they'll be some excuse as to why we can't do that either.

[zeppelincajun]

I am not, however, to take the same ole Lazy, Easy, they do nothing attitude when you have NO facts and when some arm of the university did in fact do something positive is certainly not productive and will not lend itself to that arm doing something again that is good because all they get here is bashed, in the end.

The better route would have been a little investigation and then sitting down with the arm and get the facts and see if there is a simple solution that could be suggested. Instead, we show up here and bash the valiant effort because it was not enough even though we do not know the facts.

This, the mascot, the bus tour . . . are all little things that could help, but without information, solving each of these will not happen. Bashing them without information is a certain recipe for failure.

How can you say the effort was valiant if you don’t know the facts of the situation?

To your point of investigating and sitting with down the arm, that could be a very valid option when there is transparency and effective communication between the university and the fanbase. That is overwhelmingly not the case at UL. Take the mascot for example. It took UL a whopping 3 years just to say, “we don’t even want a mascot” in response to Cory’s hundreds of hours of work and repeated attempts at communication.

[CajunVic]

. . .
So how are you gonna spin that lack of communication with "having no FACTS?" I guess you'll say its somehow my fault for thinking that I need to feel appreciated or even expecting someone to talk to me as a donor.

I think it's funny that you say "sit down with them to get the facts" when they won't even return phone calls when people want to GIVE MONEY.

I agree with you 100% about the part of your email which is not quoted in this quote. Now I will answer your two questions.

1. Someone showed up on RP in this thread with the apparent intent on trashing the University. They selected the facts which they wanted to provide in order to put forward their agenda. I'm sure that person knows more facts or if they don't then shame on them for doing this. You have all your facts, you laid them out then made your point. This person did not, then others jumped on the trashing bandwagon without any further facts also.

2. Sit down with them is a general suggestion. There are two sources of facts here . . . the person who put forth this complaint and the administration. I have posted at least five times that we should be provided more facts before coming to judgment. Did the person trashing the university come forward with more facts, no. Just crickets. That should tell you something. This is a prime opportunity to get this issue truly out on the table to see if there may be a solution, but apparently no one involved is interested in a solution. They are just interested in trashing the university.

[zeppelincajun]

Last night someone from Rice University called me. Because I went to three baseball games last season to watch the Cajuns and saw I lived close by, they called to offer me an eight game ticket package for $125. I tested the intern who called and told her to e-mail me the info. Within 5 mins, I had all of the ticket info, as well as the date and time she would call me back to follow up. I am moving forward with purchasing the package.

Why? Because they asked. I've been giving money to UL for 20+ years. Even when I worked for them, most of that money I made went back to the university in the form of donations.

They've never EVER called me and had a conversation about tickets or giving. No one has ever personally called and thanked me for giving. And I'm not talking about donation receipts I get in the mail. I am talking about a human picking up the phone to have a conversation with a donor of 20+ years.

So how are you gonna spin that lack of communication with "having no FACTS?" I guess you'll say its somehow my fault for thinking that I need to feel appreciated or even expecting someone to talk to me as a donor.

I think it's funny that you say "sit down with them to get the facts" when they won't even return phone calls when people want to GIVE MONEY.

We see people here post all the time and I’ve personally been told numerous times over the last few years that one of my friends or family was dropping their tickets/reducing or cutting their RCAF donation. I ask the same question every time: did anyone with the university contact you to ask why or try and amend the situation. The answer is always no. RCAF has been stuck at 2,000 members for years now. You would think even losing a $50 donor would set off alarm bells. With so few members, there’s really no excuse as to why those calls can’t be made. I get that people change numbers and emails, but I would be willing to bet we are in possession of quite a few valid contacts who at the very least would have valuable input for us. Rice makes the calls. Rice sends the emails. Why aren’t we?

[ULvictory]

I don't disagree with any of the general conclusions you raise. However, without a specific description of what exactly the University provided for this venture, it is impossible to judge either side. That has been my position from the beginning and it will not change.

For hypothetical sake, lets say it took 1000 hours of university time and $100,000 of cash. Is your position the same?

One side or the other may be unreasonable here, but with the information we have, no one will ever know. It's not fair to judge without accurate information. At that point, you may become part of the problem as opposed to the solution.

I'm just going by what Scott Malkinson said. If the university entity told the restaurant that they would get back to them and don't, that's lazy. Actually, that's not just lazy. It's unprofessional.

[CajunVic]

I'm just going by what Scott Malkinson said. If the university entity told the restaurant that they would get back to them and don't, that's lazy. Actually, that's not just lazy. It's unprofessional.

Spew the hate. It’s your prerogative.

[JamesTheJeweler]

I'm thinking in terms of generating fan engagement (that barely exists now) for the benefit of the school. I don't know where you're going with this other than trying to pick an argument.

Why are you even engaging?

[ULvictory]

Spew the hate. It’s your prerogative.

And you said I'm the one being obtuse.

Spew the complacency. It's your prerogative.