2004 Football Banquet Report

[Turbine]

The Banquet was incredible, no recruit walked away unimpressed. The place was packed to the gills with fans willing to make noise. It had a game winning atmosphere.

Scott Brasda was MC and although he got Brian Mitchell’s career yardage numbers wrong, it was OK because Brian was there to set the matter straight. Brian Mitchell is second to none in NFL yardage.

Jake did a video presentation, Peanut and Brian's were live and they presented awards in their catagories.

Charles Tillman made a great speech about UL alumni in the NFL, and made it a point to tell players to focus on academics. Brian went on an on about how U(S)L was the place to be to fully develop (he is very proud of the term Southwestern) He said the thing to remember is not where you are it's where you are headed.

I saw a young teenager getting autographs from both NFLer's present and I doubt he will ever forget the night.

While there was a little talk from the platform about food running out I think the problem was brought on by the crowd being 3 times bigger than last year, going from less than 150 to more than 450. Personally I didn't eat or sit; I was taking pictures and having too much fun. Bottom line no one went home hungry, not even me.

The video presentation of all the big plays was fun as was the senior video which was comprised of individual childhood pictures, followed by big plays followed by SI photos.

Seeing CajunCharlie was a pleasure as was meeting CajunKate, which was something I had wanted to do for a while since once expressed interest in doing historical research.

I can't wait for the recruiting bash.

[Rebel02]

woooohoooo!!!

[NewsCopy]

Top Cajuns recognized
Cajun football program honors its clutch performers.

LOUISIANA La. — If there was a clear picture of the revival under way in Louisiana's football fortunes, it was the crowd of some 425 who attended Saturday’s awards banquet at the Cajundome Convention Center.

That’s roughly three times the crowd that attended in 2003, and it’s probably fewer than will show up next year.

Coach Rickey Bustle has made believers out of his Ragin’ Cajuns and their followers, surviving 2002’s 3-9 maiden voyage and then recovering from a 0-7 start in 2003 to finish 4-8 and place second in the Sun Belt Conference.

And on Saturday, when the team’s three most valuable players were announced, the school achieved a link with the past by having a trio of former Cajun stars introduce this year’s winners.

Carolina Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme, UL’s all-time passing leader currently preparing to face the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XXXVIII next Sunday in Houston, sent his congratulations to Offensive MVP Fred Stamps via video.

Stamps, a unanimous All-Sun Belt performer in 2003, had 62 receptions for 973 yards and 7 touchdowns. He finished his Cajun career second in catches (180) and yards (2,789) and third in touchdowns (19).

Chicago Bears rookie cornerback standout Charles Tillman, a multiple honoree in the banquet last year, was on hand to present defensive end Antonio Floyd with the Defensive MVP honor.

Floyd, like Stamps an All-Sun Belt player, had 34 tackles, 10 tackles for losses and four sacks in 2003.

And Brian Mitchell, who has more combined yards than any player in NFL history with over 23,000 and is the most prolific kick returner the league has known, also returned to share the evening.

The rest of the story

Bruce Brown
bbrown@theadvertiser.com

raginpagin.com photo

Cajun Football Awards
2003 Team Captains
Offense — Fred Stamps, Eric Rekieta. Defense — Antonio Floyd, Ross Brupbacher. Special Teams — Grant Autrey.

2003 Most Valuable Players
Offense — Fred Stamps. Defense — Antonio Floyd. Special Teams — Sean Comiskey.

2003 Big Hit Winners
Thumper (Offense) — Eric Rekieta. Hammer (Defense) — Derace James. Kahuna (Special Teams) — Travis Cones.

Champion Award (Offensive Newcomer): Jordan Jackson.

Top Gun Award (Defensive Newcomer): Mark Risher

Top Point (Defense): Antonio Floyd.

Gridiron Alumni Award: Ronnie Harvey, Offense; Antonio Floyd, Defense.

All-Sun Belt Conference
First Team — WR Fred Stamps, DE Antonio Floyd, PK Sean Comiskey.

Second Team — S C.C. Brown, OL D’Anthony Batiste.

[CajunDave1]

I must agree with what Turbine reported, the banquet was great and everyone I spoke with had a great time. If the success of this function is any indication of things to come, Cajun fans are in for a treat!

[CajunCharlie]

Turbine, I think anyone who was there will agree that the banquet was done with class! Of course anything Bustle does is done with class. He was not too happy with the food shortage, although they did get more food in for those who initially got the "scraps". Not a big deal, but I can almost assure anyone that it ain't gonna happen again next year. Did you get to see Kate's appearance on KATC flanked by Brasda and Mitchell? I will be sending you you some of the individual pictures I took. Feel free to post them if you think it is worthwhile.
I reccommend to anyone who has not attended one of Bustle's events to do so. YOU WILL BE IMPRESSED!!

[CajunKate]

Originally posted by Turbine
Seeing CajunCharlie was a pleasure as was meeting CajunKate, which was something I had wanted to do for a while.

Same goes for me, Turbine! It was really nice to be formally introduced last night.

This was a great event! And to think I almost stayed home. Thanks to my dad, cajuncharlie, for talking me into going. Check him out posing with UL and USL greats, Charles Tillman and Brian Mitchell.

I, for one, will definitely be there again next year!

[CajunCharlie]

Book it Dave! Also, come and witness the "recruiting day bash" for more testament on how Bustle gets things done, and will be another indication of the good things to come.

[CajunCharlie]

What can I say! I have been truly blessed with a great family, good friends like Turbine and members of the Krewe de Chew, a daughter who was selected as the Cathederal-Carmel Educator of the Year, a great University that prepared me for the future, and one that is on the rise academically and athletically. I am wealthy beyond measure with these blessings!!!!

[rwcajun]

Sorry I missed you last night, would have liked to said hello. Had a great time. Already looking forward to March, sure we will see then.

[1stTake]

Originally posted by cajuncharlie
a daughter who was selected as the Cathederal-Carmel Educator of the Year

Impressive

[NewsCopy]

CAJUNS ANNOUNCE 2003 SEASON AWARDS

LOUISIANA La. – Louisiana’s Ragin’ Cajuns football coaching staff announced the 2003 Hooters Season Award winners. Each week during the regular season, the coaching staff honored players for their individual effort in game performances.

Senior wide receiver Fred Stamps was named the 2003 Hooters Offensive Most Valuable Player. Stamps caught 62 passes for 973 yards and seven touchdowns during his senior season. Stamps finished his four-year Cajuns career second in yards (2,789), receptions (180) and third in touchdown receptions (19). For his efforts, Stamps was a unanimous selection to the 2003 All-Sun Belt Offensive First Team.

Senior defensive end Antonio Floyd was named the 2003 Hooters Defensive Most Valuable Player. Floyd finished sixth on the team with 34 tackles last season, while leading the team with 10 tackles for loss and four sacks. For his efforts, Floyd was named to the 2003 All-Sun Belt Defensive First Team.

Sophomore place kicker Sean Comiskey was named the 2003 Hooters Special Teams Most Valuable Player. Comiskey was 12-for-15 in field goals and 28-for-29 in extra points. Comiskey was also a 2003 All-Sun Belt First Team selection.

Five seniors were selected as 2003 team captains. Stamps and quarterback Eric Rekieta represented the offense. Floyd and linebacker Ross Brupbacher represented the defense, while punter Grant Autrey represented special teams.

Rekieta received the 2003 Thumper Award for the biggest hit on offense. Defensive end Derace James received the 2003 Hammer Award for the biggest hit on defense and junior Travis Cones received the 2003 Kahuna Award for the biggest hit on special teams.

2003 MOST VALUABLE PLAYERS

Offense: Fred Stamps

Defense: Antonio Floyd

Special Teams: Sean Comiskey

2003 TEAM CAPTAINS

Offense: Fred Stamps, Eric Rekieta

Defense: Antonio Floyd, Ross Brupbacher

Special Teams: Grant Autrey

2003 BIG HIT WINNERS

Thumper: Eric Rekieta

Hammer: Derace James

Kahuna: Travis Cones

LOUISIANA SI

[DestinCajun]

"The Banquet was incredible, no recruit walked away unimpressed."

Turb, can you list the names of the recruits who attended the banquet?

[Oldman]

i too had a great time, if you guys didn't come.. you missed a lot of fun and an opportunity to be a part of what is to come. I had a chance to talk with alot of people/fans and friends, had my picture taken with Brian and Tillman, i'm still excited and it's monday today, what a great event, if you did miss it, sorry if you were there you know what i'm talking about. God bless, Geaux Cajuns.

[Oldman]

CajunCharlie, can't wait to see those pictures....if there's something i need to do please let me know, i really do appreaciate what you did and it was a pleasure to meet you. Thanks.

[Turbine]

Originally posted by rwcajun
Sorry I missed you last night, would have liked to said hello. Had a great time. Already looking forward to March, sure we will see then.

Seeing you and yours would have made my night comlete. I tell you, on nights like that it is impossible to take everthing in.

By the way how is the rehab going with my favorite (Greg Hodges) offensive lineman?