How to Increase Attendance?

[JMV JustMyView]

There is no energy around tailgating anymore. Once they moved the RV lot from Reinhardt dr to congress it disconnected everything. Reinhardt was a literal parade route the whole day from people walking from Bertrand to the stage all the way to Cajun walk. The RV lot now is a ghost town. Can’t hear any music. Maybe a few generators here and there. It’s pretty depressing. The only time in the last ten years it’s felt like it is supposed to feel was for the app state championship game. There was a buzz in the air that you could feel. It was organic. People wanted to be there for the spectacle, for the party, to be seen cause it was the cool thing going on that day around town. I don’t know how to cultivate that anymore. What I will say is that in the handful of lsu games I’ve been to I have always had a blast. They know what they are doing. Being a Ragin Cajun is in my blood but I certainly understand why kids would rather be in BR on a Saturday. What needs to happen has to be organic. From the tailgating to the treatment of students the reins need to be loosened. Start there.

Excellent post.

[JMV JustMyView]

RE: Tailgating

How about any unsold TG spots are put up for silent auction at an RCAF event. Any tiered RCAF member that doesn't currently hold a tailgate spot can bid as long as they attend the event. Set minimum bid to what it costs to have the TG (trash bin, port-o-potty, etc.).

You will then have your premium/sought after TG spots already purchased. Unsold spots up for bid, not leaving money on the table. And any that remain will be available for purchase on a single game basis.

You have to get folks to go to rcaf events first.

[Ragin9221]

If I can borrow a line from one of my favorite movies,

Mr. Ragin9221,

That is a lucid, intelligent, well thought out statement on how to increase attendance....(all of which makes way too much sense, )

But that will take way too much time. (Though we should start your ideas NOW) What can be done to get butts in seats now? I used to think that if we played the major P4's at their place and beat them handily, that that would automatically increase our attendance. However, I don't believe even that would work. However, since LSU won't play us here ever, why not play them there and beat them handily (I know easier said than done). But if we ever do get the chance to play them there, UL should take advantage of it and whoop their butts). I'm pretty sure if that happened, our attendance would increase 3 fold.

Really though, great ideas. Thank you. Only wish the administration would take this as serious as some of the posters on RP.

Thank you! Well, winning is the biggest factor in getting butts in the seats. I feel like we need to focus on fans who aren’t just going to the game to watch football. The biggest thing we can do is get out and go to these high schools, promoting the games to students and parents alike. A kid who may have never thought about going to college or wants to move away might attend a game and decide that he or she wants to come to UL and continue going to the games. The same goes for a parent or teacher who might never have thought about going to a UL football game; they might receive a pamphlet at a high school game, sit on their couch, and pick it up the next day and think, “Well, I’m not doing anything else; let me go to the game.” The key is getting out and promoting these games, and our target audience should be people who already go to football games and high school students.

People have forgotten or they have lost interest well how do you bring that back! A person who follows UL on facebook or on X shouldnt be our target audience it is the person who completely lost interest for whatever reason and try to bring them back.

[ZoomZoom]

Found this, regarding USM. We don’t want to be perceived like this.

Southern Miss (1-6): Despite its location, this is a difficult job with industry sources describing the ceiling to The Monday Read as bowl eligibility. The next coach's salary isn't expected to get over the $1 million threshold, which is bottom quarter nationally. Southern Miss has a proud history, but that was then and this is now, and the Eagles have a thinned out donor base.

[Ragin9221]

Also another thing is we could have a high school night for each of the High Schools in Lafayette. We have about 6 home games. Well we could have a Northside, Comeaux, Carencro, Southside, Lafayette, and Acadiana night for each home game. A high school student could get in free with there high school student id, and would be allowed to sit nect to the student section.

IDK if we want high school kids sitting with College kids in the student section with drinking and all that.

The band or cheerleaders, or football, baseball, basketball team could maybe introduce kids bout going to college. I mean something if the administration for that high school would allow it.

[CajunNation]

Found this, regarding USM. We don’t want to be perceived like this.

Southern Miss (1-6): Despite its location, this is a difficult job with industry sources describing the ceiling to The Monday Read as bowl eligibility. The next coach's salary isn't expected to get over the $1 million threshold, which is bottom quarter nationally. Southern Miss has a proud history, but that was then and this is now, and the Eagles have a thinned out donor base.

I remember back in the 80's, their budget was nearly 3x bigger than ours. Now, our budget is nearly 2x bigger than theirs. Crazy.

[cajun4life]

What is your idea? If you are not ready to disclose it yet, when do you think you will be able to. As far as community engagement goes, Mike has gone to in season events in New Iberia and Breaux Bridge recently. I understand both were well received. Of course that needs to continue.

1. When the west side of the stadium is complete, all RCAF parking passes need to be consolidated to the paved parking areas.

2. The current grass parking areas need to have gravel and 20’ curbed neutral grounds between each parking row.

3. Each parking spot needs to be clearly marked, with parking instruction to back into parking spots.

4. Plant 15’ live oak trees every 50’ in those neutral grounds.

5. The neutral grounds are free tailgating for games.

6. It is $20 per game to park in that parking lot.

7. It would require training on the parking lot staff to inform customers how to park. Mobile (golf cart) attendants to monitor the availability of parking.

8. Parking would fill up in an orderly fashion, nearest to furthest away from the stadium. Patrons must be made aware of this prior to arrival.

9. Grassy areas along Bertrand would still be reserved tailgating.

10. Enjoy the money and atmosphere it brings in. Not to mention the future beautification of the parking area with an additional 50 or so live oak trees.

11. Finally address the fence around the parking lot. Brick and iron fencing with Fluer de Lis emblems on top.

[CajunVic]

1. When the west side of the stadium is complete, all RCAF parking passes need to be consolidated to the paved parking areas.

2. The current grass parking areas need to have gravel and 20’ curbed neutral grounds between each parking row.

3. Each parking spot needs to be clearly marked, with parking instruction to back into parking spots.

4. Plant 15’ live oak trees every 50’ in those neutral grounds.

5. The neutral grounds are free tailgating for games.

6. It is $20 per game to park in that parking lot.

7. It would require training on the parking lot staff to inform customers how to park. Mobile (golf cart) attendants to monitor the availability of parking.

8. Parking would fill up in an orderly fashion, nearest to furthest away from the stadium. Patrons must be made aware of this prior to arrival.

9. Grassy areas along Bertrand would still be reserved tailgating.

10. Enjoy the money and atmosphere it brings in. Not to mention the future beautification of the parking area with an additional 50 or so live oak trees.

11. Finally address the fence around the parking lot. Brick and iron fencing with Fluer de Lis emblems on top.

oh yea, that’s gonna happen . . .

[VObserver]

You have to get folks to go to rcaf events first.

You have to actually HAVE RCAF events for the general membership before you can get anyone to come to them. The Functions at the Casino in the Hud years were great; as were the open events for signing day. Now if you don't give thousands already, RCAF gives you nothing extra for your money.

[Swamp]

Whatever happened to the RCAF license plate

Those things covered the city years back. I never see one anymore.

[RedTails]

App State just announced a home and home with Oregon State.

[Esqueleto]

App State just announced a home and home with Oregon State.

Imagine that.
Cajuns / Sam Houston H/H in 3..2..1