Ways to make the 2011 Spring Game massive

[IHateLaState]

_ I would love to hear Coach Hud's answer. I hope it was something to the effect of: "We don't schedule events around any other schools in this state. We don't compete for loyalty. We compete on the field, and we like making the Saturday choices of those who have difficulty picking a side difficult. I will do everything in my power to schedule every home game opposite an LSU ESPN game, and we'll still pack Cajun Field. Pick a side. Next question?" _

Love it... Throw down the gauntlet..... We are not shying away anymore and if you wish to travel east or watch ESPN..... well your loss and I dont think you will do so for long............

[LongTimeCajun]

_ That number would be over 200 would be a record. _

Exactly, it's a glorified practice. While I appreciate Coach's enthusiasm for this "game", I realistically don't see the University going out and setting up the concession stands, crawfish boil, bands, etc. for a few hundred to a thousand people.
Nothing wrong with some football in the spring though, I'll be there.

[AstroCajun]

_ Exactly, it's a glorified practice. While I appreciate Coach's enthusiasm for this "game", I realistically don't see the University going out and setting up the concession stands, crawfish boil, bands, etc. for a few hundred to a thousand people.
Nothing wrong with some football in the spring though, I'll be there. _

Glorify is the right word.

We want these guys to know that since they're working hard, we're gonna work just as hard to back them.

That's what Hud's asking for all of us.

That's why I'll be in the stands for the spring game.

[Rebel02]

All wrong. The best way to do it is to do what was done with the basketball alumni weekend.....just promote the hell out of it. There is no reason to entice people to show up with giveaways, crawfish boils, $10 shirts, etc. Advertise it. If you advertise a freakin spring game, you are making it a big deal to the masses. Once people realize that it is a big deal, they will come.

Why did more people show up to this year's signing day bash than the previous 5 years combined? Simple....it was just promoted more than the prior years. Keep consistently reminding people about it and they will come. Look at the football Fan Day every year. Ask Hammer and Z about years prior to the past 3 or 4 Fan Day's. They'll tell about how less than 500 show up. Now we are getting 3k-4k every year. It's all about promoting the event itself, not promoting giveaways.

I'd rather have a couple thousand there to watch the spring game than a couple thousand there to eat crawfish while the spring game is going on.

[Turbine]

I'd rather have a couple thousand there to watch the spring game than a couple thousand there to eat crawfish while the spring game is going on. _

Boiled Crawfish fits better with UL's Lagniappe Day.

jmo

[Bandwagon King]

_ All wrong. The best way to do it is to do what was done with the basketball alumni weekend.....just promote the hell out of it. There is no reason to entice people to show up with giveaways, crawfish boils, $10 shirts, etc. Advertise it. If you advertise a freakin spring game, you are making it a big deal to the masses. Once people realize that it is a big deal, they will come.

Why did more people show up to this year's signing day bash than the previous 5 years combined? Simple....it was just promoted more than the prior years. Keep consistently reminding people about it and they will come. Look at the football Fan Day every year. Ask Hammer and Z about years prior to the past 3 or 4 Fan Day's. They'll tell about how less than 500 show up. Now we are getting 3k-4k every year. It's all about promoting the event itself, not promoting giveaways.

I'd rather have a couple thousand there to watch the spring game than a couple thousand there to eat crawfish while the spring game is going on. _

While I agree with the promotion of the game the rest I can not agree with. In life there is the way things ought to be & there is the way things are. To make the change from the way things are to the way it should be, you have to take initiative. I remember going to the first LSU spring game I ever attended after they hired Saban. Now keeping in mind LSU has deeper pockets than UL, they had free crawfish there & it also happened to coinside with the finish of one of the baseball games. Their turnout was about 15,000 people & I can say with conviction, had there not been a lot of specials or giveaways not nearly that many people would have come. Promotion & advanced tickets sales would guarantee you make money as well as rev up interest for the upcoming season.

I don't know how many people have eaten crawfish this year, but I can say it is high as a giraffe's behind. You put together an event where you charge let's say $20 per head for an all you can eat crawfish boil with a couple of zydeco bands & tee-shirts for people attending to go along with the spring game & a special appearance by the coach with all the bells & whistles, you will have a catch to get the uninterested...well...interested. The key is believing that if you promote it they will come. I would not be surprised if between 5,000 & 10,000 people show up for an EVENT like this. I have just talked myself into 5 tickets & I only have three to buy for.

In case people don't realize it, there were somewhere between 800-1000 people at the recruiting bash in about as nasty of weather as you could ask for. This tells me people were interested & hungry for a winner & will jump to support one in this town. They just need a little push in the right direction.

[moorecajun]

_ 1. Have season ticket purchases available at the game. Administrative staff should be there selling/promoting season ticket sales. Ability to purchase with a credit card is a high priority.
2. Have the Cajun gift shop crew there selling all Cajun apparel/gifts like they do at all home football games.
3. Make entrance to the game a contribution (say $10) to RCAF. Game proceeds should go to RCAF. Free admission to current RCAF members and students. If you join RCAF at the game, admission is free.
4. Have the Alumni Association sponsor the crawfish boil. They usually have a tent with food (jambalaya, etc.) for all home games. They could handle this. They could use it to increase membership and fund-raising. The more the merrier.
5. Coach Hud wants the players to experience "the Cajun walk" so we need the band and the cheerleaders along with the tailgaters and all fans!
Geaux Cajuns! _

These are good ideas; a way to promote RCAF and the Alumni Association and the Cajuns!

[chauncey]

My crew are planning to put the tent up! The menu is boiled bugs and cold pops!!

[CAJUN_LXA685]

Question - I don't have a tailgating spot. If me and some friends decided to come tail gate for this event coudl we set up anywhere as long as we were not on a spot of someone that is actually at the spring game?

[Johnboy4713]

unless something happens, i am bringing 15 from Oxford. some pretty good players in that group. somebody better have some Dr Pepper to keep my boys happy lol

[CajunDreDog]

A few things:

1. I was just stating a fact that LSU's spring game would be right before ours on the same day.
2. Historically, when LSU plays at home...we have worse attendance in our own stadium.

Ways to promote the spring game & the program:

1. Advertise to get people there.
2. Reading some of the other ideas, has changed my mind that it should not be free! Charge a small fee (possibly RCAF get in free), and PRE-SELL tickets. You'll also know how many are coming.
3. When people walk in the door, they must go by a table with RCAF staffers on hand to talk to.
4. After that they must pass a season ticket table.
5. Have the spring game...let the Hud era begin on the field, and let it be AWESOME!
6. Either, hand out RCAF & season ticket brochures as people walk out, or put them on the cars while everyone is in the game. Do NOT do this as people enter! They will only throw them away, or leave them in the stadium. Hand it to them as they leave, and it will at least get INTO their car. Maybe at some point down the road, it will be seen and you get someone to join.

Guess this is all I can think of for now. Too late for more thoughts...

[RaginRash]

_ My crew are planning to put the tent up! The menu is boiled bugs and cold pops!! _

fcukin' aye right. I dont care what the U or anyone else does. WE are gonna get hyped for the spring game & have some fun!