Can we sell out???

[CAJUNSby90]

Mostly correct… but it’s hypocritical to come here and complain while not being willing to support programs through season ticket purchases.

Careful sir, they may accuse you for working to the school like they do to me.

[MarlinMan3]

Careful sir, they may accuse you for working to the school like they do to me.

But i thought most claim nobody at the school does any work, lol

[Ragin9221]

I think this is dead on, and I think the admin knew there was no way we were going to 30-40k on gameday. Hence the reduced capacity and focus on comfort and premium experiences for the people who pay for everything..

Not meant as a criticism of anyone.. I think with access to the budget numbers, the admin saw the writing on the wall a little earlier than we did -- across all sports.

Well, I get that but wouldn’t you clearly see from the numbers that attendance is trending downward? And instead of accepting that trajectory, wouldn’t it make more sense to exhaust every option to reverse it?

If we recognize there’s a problem, why not go all in to fix it? Reducing capacity might be a short-term answer, but long-term growth demands actual investment in the fan base. Want better attendance? Build a better experience.

That means:

• Creating vibrant tailgate environments like Tailgate Village that unite fans before kickoff.
• Introducing in-game entertainment that celebrates local culture and engages fans between plays.
• Premium social spaces, like the NEZ bar, that blend comfort and community.
• Strategic outreach campaigns across Acadiana to make every game feel like a homecoming.

Attendance doesn’t dip because fans don’t care it dips when they stop feeling connected. Bring the connection back, and the numbers will follow.

Beer prices do not make fans feel connected i guess in a way they do lmfao. That is not a long term solution!

How we got here is that they made it worst for the casual fan not better. That right there is the actual problem.

[zeppelincajun]

Mostly correct… but it’s hypocritical to come here and complain while not being willing to support programs through season ticket purchases.

The vast majority of people on this board who post regularly are not in that number. You can attack that straw man all you want. No one here is responsible for this university’s inability to cultivate a more substantial fanbase over the last 40 years.

[zeppelincajun]

Careful sir, they may accuse you for working to the school like they do to me.

They don’t even give you a monthly stipend? Free case of water?

[CAJUNSby90]

Free case of water?

They ran out.

[Ragin9221]

Why not do this!!

If I had the chance to shape UL’s tailgating experience, I’d revolutionize it from the ground up because frankly, with Sodexo involved, we’ve been boxed in.
The potential is massive. And if UL is serious about building a statewide presence with regional flair, then it has to start in the parking lot with community, culture, and celebration.


Step One: Tailgate Village—Acadiana Style

We need a full-scale Tailgate Village just steps from the stadium. Not a few tents scattered around but a purpose-built square that feels like a pre-game festival. Imagine this:

-A permanent stage featuring live Zydeco, Cajun artists, DJs, and pep rallies
- Tables, chairs, and shaded pavilions so families and fans can settle in and stay a while
- Local vendors serving everything from boudin egg rolls to crawfish étouffée and craft cocktails
- Branded merch tents offering Acadiana flag gear, UL retro throwbacks, and gameday exclusives
- Interactive fan spaces for photo ops, chalk art, community booths, and kids’ activities

It should feel like a Saturday festival—a place you arrive hours early for, not just to tailgate, but to connect with your region.

This would be connected to this!

Step Two: North End Zone Standing Room Bar Make It “The Ragin’ Box”

Inspired by The Band Box in Nashville, UL needs a high-energy standing room bar in the NEZ—a social hot spot where fans can eat, drink, and cheer without ever sitting still.

- Walk-up bar serving local brews and Cajun cocktails
- Casual tables and high tops where fans mix, mingle, and keep an eye on the action
- Ultra-visual space with LED signs, fan selfies on screens, and Ragin’ Cajuns branding everywhere
-DJ booth or curated gameday playlist setting the rhythm from kickoff to fourth quarter
-Exclusive merch walls and giveaways for the fans who turn up early and stay loud

This becomes the heartbeat of the stadium, the destination for the diehards, the first-timers, and everyone in between.

Here is my vision

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[CrazyCajun]

Well, I get that but wouldn’t you clearly see from the numbers that attendance is trending downward? And instead of accepting that trajectory, wouldn’t it make more sense to exhaust every option to reverse it?

If we recognize there’s a problem, why not go all in to fix it? Reducing capacity might be a short-term answer, but long-term growth demands actual investment in the fan base. Want better attendance? Build a better experience.

That means:

• Creating vibrant tailgate environments like Tailgate Village that unite fans before kickoff.
• Introducing in-game entertainment that celebrates local culture and engages fans between plays.
• Premium social spaces, like the NEZ bar, that blend comfort and community.
• Strategic outreach campaigns across Acadiana to make every game feel like a homecoming.

Attendance doesn’t dip because fans don’t care it dips when they stop feeling connected. Bring the connection back, and the numbers will follow.

Beer prices do not make fans feel connected i guess in a way they do lmfao. That is not a long term solution!

How we got here is that they made it worst for the casual fan not better. That right there is the actual problem.

we certainly can grow our attendance
attendance across the country is going down in general
simply getting every seat up to code would reduce capacity
we dont need more than 30k seats

[SlickRick]

Mostly correct… but it’s hypocritical to come here and complain while not being willing to support programs through season ticket purchases.

Yep...that's a show stopper.