Inside The Bird Cage

[NewsCopy]

Well, it's been a while since I've written.

I hesitated to write this because a lot of it is about me, and I really don't want it to be about me, especially when it's personal.

But I realized I couldn't make it about them without making it about me. I'll keep the part that's about me as brief as I can.

On Thursday, February 5th, the UL Basketball team and I were flying back home after a great win over James Madison. The flight would take us from Reagan in D.C. to New Orleans on Southwest Airlines.

About midway through the 2 ½ hour flight, my Apple Watch buzzed. I was in Atrial Fibrillation (A-Fib). Basically, it's a very irregular heartbeat. My watch said my heart rate was 149. That's not good. To my knowledge, that had never happened before.

But, at least I now have something in common with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

Two nurses who were enroute to NO for Mardi Gras sat with me. Not much they could do besides ask some questions and keep me occupied. Which was a good thing, because having this happen at 33,000 feet didn't really appeal to me.

There had been an announcement about a medical issue. Coach Quannas White walked to the back of the plane from his seat and saw it was me. I waved to him and he saw nothing was critical. But, by the time we landed in NO, those connected with the team all knew about it.

I was the first one off the plane and first responders met me with a wheelchair. After taking some vitals and asking some questions, they wheeled me out to an ambulance to take me to Oschner in Kenner, just a few minutes from the airport.

But Coach Q said, "I'm staying with you." I said "you will do no such thing." He said he wouldn't leave until he knew I was okay.

I'll condense the next part. I was told in ER I would be admitted. Meds to stabilize the heart rate…blood work. I was told I was anemic. Coach Q rented a car and drove back to Lafayette after I informed my boss, Brian Bille and Dr. Maggard that I was ok.

Friday morning they did an ultrasound of my heart (echocardiogram). It showed nothing major. Friday afternoon they did an endoscopy (tube down my throat with a camera. I was knocked out for that.) It was discovered I had four ulcers….which caused the anemia…which they believed caused the A-Fib. Next day I got a unit of blood and was discharged.

But I told you that story to tell you this one.

Friday my phone started buzzing. Assistant coaches…support staff…and the players all texting me to let me know they were thinking about me and praying on my behalf. Now…I know Coach didn't tell them they HAD to do that, because not everyone sent a text. But most did and I answered every one of them, expressing my gratitude. Then I listened to the game vs. Central Michigan on the way home from the hospital. And, sent a few texts out afterward, congratulating them.

The following Thursday, the Cajuns played Coastal Carolina. When I got to the arena and set up for the broadcast, everyone that saw me came to me smiling and greeted me. But I about lost it when Dariyus Woodson hugged me and said, "Mr. Jay, I've been praying for you, man." Very little in my life has touched me the way that did. Lump…meet Throat. Since then they've asked regularly about my health. I did not go to Pensacola with them, as I had cardio follow-ups Monday and Tuesday. But I addressed the team after the final regular-season game against Arkansas State and thanked them again and told them I loved them.

In 1989-1990, Kentucky was reeling after a scandal. They hired Rick Pitino. (That Cajuns' team beat Kentucky at Rupp Arena that year.) The Wildcats went 15-15. But they chose to retire the jerseys of their starting five. They were deemed "The Unforgettables.

We tend to judge coaches and players according to wins and losses. And, I certainly get that. The 2025-26 Cajuns won eleven games.

Eleven.

Better days are ahead.

Evans. Jones, Jr. Finister. Woodson. Lewis. Lavergne. Collins. Bilal. Olvera. Mouton. Landry. Myers, Keller. Ratliff. Mejia. Elkinton. Olajuwon. Quannas White. His assistant coaches and support staff.

They are MY unforgettables.

Louisiana Athletics
RaginCajuns.com
Jay Walker

[Duggie35]

It sounds like this group of players and our new Coach have great character. Also glad to hear that you are apparently doing well. 😊

[CajunSaint08]

Glad you are ok Jay. The team finished strong and is definitely on the up swing. Yes, I agree, "Better days are ahead."

[ZoomZoom]

Glad you made it thru the challenge Jay.

Prayer is pretty powerful.

[zephyr]

Jay, glad everything is Ok and you are doing well. In regards to this team, I've mentioned a number of times on these threads this year that despite the lack of wins, we had to give tons of credit to coach for keeping these guys on task, playing hard and getting some wins. It wasn't an easy task with the lack of offensive prowess this team possessed but you could see this program had some character with the way they played, coached and cheered every single game. Just by watching our bench and coaches during a game, you would have thought we were a title contender.

Speaking of Woodson, after one of the tough home wins, he came over to the folks sitting around courtside and was living it up with everyone and you could tell he just has a certain quality about him. Playing on a single digit win team at that time and just celebrating with the fans after a win like we had just won the title. I enjoyed watching these guys this year, with all of our faults and overall lack of talent (if I'm being honest). My wife actually enjoyed going to games and there was rarely one I went to without her. We'll be getting tickets again next year and I have faith in Q that this is going in the right direction.

[moorecajun]

Jay, glad everything is Ok and you are doing well. In regards to this team, I've mentioned a number of times on these threads this year that despite the lack of wins, we had to give tons of credit to coach for keeping these guys on task, playing hard and getting some wins. It wasn't an easy task with the lack of offensive prowess this team possessed but you could see this program had some character with the way they played, coached and cheered every single game. Just by watching our bench and coaches during a game, you would have thought we were a title contender.

Speaking of Woodson, after one of the tough home wins, he came over to the folks sitting around courtside and was living it up with everyone and you could tell he just has a certain quality about him. Playing on a single digit win team at that time and just celebrating with the fans after a win like we had just won the title. I enjoyed watching these guys this year, with all of our faults and overall lack of talent (if I'm being honest). My wife actually enjoyed going to games and there was rarely one I went to without her. We'll be getting tickets again next year and I have faith in Q that this is going in the right direction.

I am sorry Woodson is out of eligibility!

[CajunSaint]

Jay, I'm glad to hear you're doing okay.

[JamesTheJeweler]

Glad youre ok, Jay!

[ultracajun]

Too much Yankee food. Stay home a while and get better.

[UL_Cajuns]

Prayers for Jay!
Thank you Jay for all you have done and still do for Louisiana Athletics!