Cayenne as a UL Mascot hahahahha

[BabbForHeisman]

So last night was the first basketball game that I have attended this season, and I finally got to see this redone Cayenne costume. Let's just say I was less than impressed. It kinda looks like something I put together myself.

I know we've discussed this before, but what do you think should be done?

My opinion:
1. Keep the name "Ragin' Cajuns" (that's a given)
2. Continue to use the flaming pepper logo (but not the pepper with the angry face that has been appearing on hats)
3. Bring back the live bulldog at sporting events. I know there has been some discussion about other types of dogs, but the bulldog honors the tradition of the university.
4. Bring back the Cajun Chicken! He was the coolest thing ever! I don't care if its not the same guy and not the same suit, but having a chicken would definitely be unique. Its kind of like the Philly Phanatic. You can't dress up like a Philly, so have something unique that everyone recognizes.

[USL fan]

Ever heard the insanity of throwing good money after bad? well cayenne is a case study.

[CajunKahouna]

Ever heard the insanity of throwing good money after bad? well cayenne is a case study.

I agree, and if this is correct, that would mean bringing that damn chicken back must be throwing good money after bad also. Let the thing stay in the road kill category.

[HoustonCajun]

So last night was the first basketball game that I have attended this season, and I finally got to see this redone Cayenne costume. Let's just say I was less than impressed. It kinda looks like something I put together myself.

I know we've discussed this before, but what do you think should be done?

My opinion:
1. Keep the name "Ragin' Cajuns" (that's a given)
2. Continue to use the flaming pepper logo (but not the pepper with the angry face that has been appearing on hats)
3. Bring back the live bulldog at sporting events. I know there has been some discussion about other types of dogs, but the bulldog honors the tradition of the university.
4. Bring back the Cajun Chicken! He was the coolest thing ever! I don't care if its not the same guy and not the same suit, but having a chicken would definitely be unique. Its kind of like the Philly Phanatic. You can't dress up like a Philly, so have something unique that everyone recognizes.

IMNO, the bulldog is a dead issue. In fact, the mascot was an English Bulldog for a French University, which made no sense. Once we changed to Ragin Cajuns, the bulldog lost its place. The Cajun Chicken was a fun guy who did some unique and entertaining things, but it had absolutely no relation to the university. And, the Cajun Chicken was successful because of the guy who played the chicken. I would assume that he would no longer do this.

As the University of Louisiana, we need to maintain the moniker Ragin Cajuns, which is the most popular in college sports around the country. But, we need a mascot that reflects the State of Louisiana. That would be either the State Dog, CatahoULa, the State Bird, the Pelican, or perhaps an Alligator, given the swamps in Louisiana and the on-campus swamp and alligator(s) that live there.

There have been several suggestions on use of the Alligator, which are good. The CatahoULa would be a good replacement for the Bulldog. The Pelican would have been great, except that Tulane beat us in using the Pelican. So, that probably leaves us with the CatahoULa vs. the Alligator. Either one would be great as both a live and costumed mascot to go along with the Ragin Cajuns moniker.

It is time we do more to capture the University of Louisiana name. Naming a mascot after the State Dog, for example, would help with that. We could also rename the stadium Louisiana Stadium and change the name of CajunDome Blvd. to Louisiana Blvd.

[rhineaux]

The only bad thing about the bULLdog, is that "ULL" is in it. I just noticed that in your post. I kinda like the Alligator or whatever, but the fact is that we don't really need anything to have out there. It costs a lot of money for those suits and what purpose do they really serve. It would be different if it were a guy or something (like the chicken was) that would start cheers or something, but what we have now only brings people down, not get them hyped up.

[HoustonCajun]

The only bad thing about the bULLdog, is that 'ULL' is in it. I just noticed that in your post. I kinda like the Alligator or whatever, but the fact is that we don't really need anything to have out there. It costs a lot of money for those suits and what purpose do they really serve. It would be different if it were a guy or something (like the chicken was) that would start cheers or something, but what we have now only brings people down, not get them hyped up.

Worse yet, not just UL but 'ULL' is in Bulldog, which is something we must separate ourselves from. I understand your thinking. I am just trying to do as much as we can to truly capture the University of Louisiana name and having any links to the State would certainly aid that effort.

[Turbine]

HULLo, let me mULL this over, letters in the middle of words . . . .

Why do I feel like we are venturing into Davinci Code territory

[Doyle]

HULLo, let me mULL this over, letters in the middle of words . . . .

Why do I feel like we are venturing into Davinci Code territory

Nice One Turbine!!

[Kal]

We could also rename the stadium Louisiana Stadium and change the name of CajunDome Blvd. to Louisiana Blvd.

That's a great idea but I don't think that would happen. Since there is already a Louisiana Ave. in Lafayette, I'm not sure that it would go over with the Lafayette Consolidated government.

I think it's more reasonable to ask that Louisiana Ave. be extended all the way to South College. In this way, UL Campus would be at the corner of University and Louisiana avenues. I believe this was attempted and failed before, but if people can have Willow (or whichever street it is, I can't remember) renamed Martin Luther King Drive, then there shouldn't be anything to keep us from being able to rename that section of Johnston street Louisiana Ave.

P.S. Cajundome blvd is fine the way it is. It is the most prominent and recognizable feature of that street. I move that we rename Reinhardt drive to something more relevant such as "Ragin' Cajun Dr.", or "Stadium Drive".

[HoustonCajun]

That's a great idea but I don't think that would happen. Since there is already a Louisiana Ave. in Lafayette, I'm not sure that it would go over with the Lafayette Consolidated government.

I think it's more reasonable to ask that Louisiana Ave. be extended all the way to South College. In this way, UL Campus would be at the corner of University and Louisiana avenues. I believe this was attempted and failed before, but if people can have Willow (or whichever street it is, I can't remember) renamed Martin Luther King Drive, then there shouldn't be anything to keep us from being able to rename that section of Johnston street Louisiana Ave.

I like that approach and, hopefully, it will be reconsidered. But, there should be no confusing Louisiana Ave. and Louisiana Blvd. Cities have that kind of street nomenclature all the time. Just look at Peachtree St., Ave., Blvd. in Atlanta. This is just another way for the City of Lafayette to support the University of Louisiana. It would be nice if someone with the University would take both issues up with the City.