In 10 years?

[Clutch0364]

With the questions about playing LSU being asked, I was wondering where everyone would like to see UL in the next 10 years?

[RaginFan2]

How about the Sugar Bowl?

[CajunFan64]

Thats kind of a tough qeustion. I would like for UL to get out of the Toilet Bowl presona that we are the kind of football program that should be in 1-AA and are just holding on to our 1-A status by a thread. I'd like to see us consistently rank in the top 50 at least every year and maybe even break the top 25 one year. Definently get back our lafayette fans who have migrated to LSU only because UL can't produce the quality of football that an LSU venue can. I'd like for the sunbelt to get stronger and be more of a conference USA type of Conference and maybe be able to surpass both the MAC and the WAC and be a major continder. I think Lafayette just has so much potential to be one of the really big football towns. On the sole fact of location, I mean take a look at LA Tech. Most people would say TECH has a better program than we do and they have a right to say that, but look at their location. You can't fly into Ruston, there are no hotels in Ruston so you have to stay in another town and there really isn't much going on there. Here in Lafayette I think we just have so much more to offer and I think if our athletics keep improving we have the potential to be considered for a big conference. Most people would say I'm crazy but, I truly beleive that we not only have the support but more importantly we have the location to be the second Major sports venue in Louisiana. Just take a look at all the states around us in the south, only us and Arkansas only have one major school and with the talent we produce here in this state I don't see why we should have a problem with building this program into a powerful one.

Maybe thats not an answer to the question but, I got off on a rant, so sorry.

Geaux Cajuns

[DaddyCajun]

With a conference that includes S.Miss, Tulane, Rice, UAB, S. Alabama, Louisiana, Houston, N.Texas, La Tech, Troy, Arkansas St., and Tulsa!!!

Softball with several CWS Titles and a stadium that would better represent that status. Baseball with 2 CWS Titles and a Stadium to match! Track with many conference and NCAA titles and appearances!! Football with a 50+ Stadium and atleast 5 bowl wins!! Both basketball teams with several conference championships and NCAA sweet 16 or better appearances!! Ladies Basketball playing and selling out a renovated Blackham!!

DaddyCajun smiling big right about now!!!!

[CajunProud]

Now that is the kind of talk I like to hear. Let's stop talking and start doing though. I'm with Daddy Cajun. No reason we can't do exactly what he is talking about. Let's start by packing the Cajun Dome on Thursday night for the South Alabama game.

[Clutch0364]

That would be very sweet. But like cajunproud said lets pack out the dome tonight. I won't be able to attend (work) but i will be in spirit yelling right along with yall.

[Geaux clotille]

You know, for the first time in YEARS we had to actually wait in a line to get in a football game. People around us were complaining while I was trying to explain that we were standing in a great line!

I WANT to wait in lines for all Cajun athletics!

[CajunProud]

I agree. Although I would rather be waiting in line before the game actually starts instead of straggling in late from tailgaiting (nothing wrong with tailgaiting, i'm just saying)

This is truly a great time in Cajun athletics. Not even when Jake was here did I get this feeling. Back then I always had this nagging thought in the back of my mind that it can't last and that we would do something late in the game to blow it. But now, the University has this ora about it. I can't explain it, but I can feel it when I pass through campus, when i'm at a game. It's pride, but it is also more than that. I haven't been this excited about things like recruiting in years. We are finally keeping local talent here. Womens basketball is on the rise. Baseball is primed for a trip to the college world series. Lady Cajun softball (enough said). Mens basketball is doing great (Thanks coach Lee for instilling the pride that we Cajun fans feel everyday in your players, i.e. singing the fight song after every game)

This is the greatest place to live in the country, and we have the best University in the country. So let's hear you Cajuns raise hell tonight at the Dome, and let the State and the rest of the country feel the RAGE OF THE CAJUNS!!!!!!!!!1

[El Sidonio]

I agree with everyone. In 10 years what I'd like to see most is a fb win over LSU. I'd also like to see a return to civility between our fans and theirs so that even if not in FB, we can get some home-n-home in all other sports. I think if the atmosphere was right, we could have a great in-state rivalry with LSU. I also think that by this happening, we might get back some formerly UL now LSU fans, and we might also convert a couple of LSU fans. Anyhoo regardless of how exactly it happens, things are headed way up!

God Bless.

[lxa656]

Awesome things, love to see it. One comment I want to make about fans. When it comes to fans in any situation, there is never civility....not to say there cant be respect! I personally along with many of my cajun friends, make it a point to tell someone something and make them uncomfortable to wear LSU apparel in this town. Especially on our campus! As an undergrad, that was an automatic.
Again, this brings up the whole respect thing. It is disrespectful to be at one our sporting events or on our campus wearing an LSU A&M hat! But I will also be the first one at tailgating event to see a person with an A&M hat, call them over, tease them a lil bit and give them a beer! All was accomplished, my point was made and in the mean time was respectful enough to offer a beverage! Fans will be fans, UL/A&M-Saints/Falcons, whatever it is, we will never want to get along and never agree, but we always remember it is just a game!
In my ideal 10 years, enrollment will hit 25000! Cajun field will seat 50000+ and sell out every game! And UL/A&M will be "THE RIVALRY" in every sport! And my degree will look even better hanging up on my office wall!

[ATXCajun]

Originally posted by Clutch0364
With the questions about playing LSU being asked, I was wondering where everyone would like to see UL in the next 10 years?

Well, how about some progress to show that all of the time, effort, and money meant something. We seem to compete nationally in most sports, with football lagging behind. USM was once on par with us. Now they are on par with trips to the Libery Bowl etc. That's what I would like to see from football. Baseball and Softball have been dangerously close to doing the unthinkable. I would like for one or both of those programs to win a national championship. Put us on the map. I think that, along with bowl appearances creates a better window for viewing the school and its academic and athletic programs.

[ATXCajun]

Originally posted by Sid
I agree with everyone. In 10 years what I'd like to see most is a fb win over LSU. I'd also like to see a return to civility between our fans and theirs so that even if not in FB, we can get some home-n-home in all other sports. I think if the atmosphere was right, we could have a great in-state rivalry with LSU. I also think that by this happening, we might get back some formerly UL now LSU fans, and we might also convert a couple of LSU fans. Anyhoo regardless of how exactly it happens, things are headed way up!

God Bless.

That would be cool, but I don't want to get to hung up on using LSU as a measuring stick. We should aim higher in all respects. Beating them would be fun for sure, but the positive impact on our program would last about as long as the euphoria from the win. See UL 29 Texas A&M 22. I would like to see us consistently compete with the SEC and Big 12, winning a respectable 33% of the time. Get over the hump. Close losses are not good enough.