PreGame 2011 New Orleans Bowl - Walking To New Orleans

[cajunhawk]

This is like a team that hasn't made the NCAA Tourney or hasn't made a regional in 40 years. Football doesn't have the equivalent of a postseason playoff so there is no comparison beyond that.

[DieHard1280]

I'm drying my eyes as I type this, Jay. Outstanding article!! Thank you.

[Gbbaseball7]

I too have to say you brought tears to my eyes. My one wish was for these seniors to have the chance to experiance a bowl game. When we closed the deal against ULM I knew that that wish would come true. I could not be more proud of this team. They hung in there together through all storms. I've in the past have not appreciated Ricky Bustle as much as I should have. I have to thank him for giving Brad his chance to be a Ragin Cajun. As a family we will all never forget this year. See you all in New Orleans. GEAUX CAJUNS'!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[cajunhawk]

I do believe the AA will put together a pre-game function in the dome but probably not for after.

Remember two things:
1. Even though we "knew" we were going to the NO Bowl you couldn't reserve (well you could but what if) anything in the dome. I would expect to hear something AFTER the game this weekend.
2. The game starts at 8pm, making it end probably close to midnight - I can't see having a postgame function starting at midnight. That will be when we make the people of NO happy (again) by participating in their festivities!

I also remember those and they were a blast!
Go CAJUNS!

This is why I chose to stay near Bourbon...watch the Cajuns win...and then celebrate on Bourbon. Recipe for success....

[cajunhawk]

I think it would be great if Rickey found himself on the sidelines watching these seniors play. It was time for a change but he deserves a chance to enjoy this moment as well.

1,000 times yes!!!

[cajunfan337]

Damn Jay, you've got a way to make grown men shed a lil tear (me included) lol. Another great article good sir.

I think you left one thing out and it could've gone like this: "I'll remember Jerry Baldw... eh, actually lets just not go there."

GEAUX CAJUNS

[cajunhawk]

Great article Jay, it was good to hear Troy's voice last night. He sounded like he wanted to jump out of his own skin. He has waited a long time for this...and I'm glad he got to stick around to see it happen. This is why you support YOUR university, win or lose. For all those that took part in the struggle...1 million thank you's.

[Boomer]

Thanks Brock--See you at the next game or in NO!!!!!

[Cajunsmike]

Finally, after so many years of waiting, after many years of bad football, after many times of coming close, yesterday was the day for which Cajuns’ fans, myself included, had waited.

http://espn1420.com/from-the-birds-n...-never-let-go/

Jay, you are right in that now is a time to not only celebrate but to honor all the people who kept the program alive (on life support in some cases) when things were at their darkest hour. This was one of your finest pieces. You mentioned several folks who helped to do just that but it would be tough to name them all. Potential recruits should be encouraged to read this so as they can get a little bit of a feel for what it means to be a Ragin Cajun. By the way, I talked to one of the assistant coaches who was here for part of the Bustle years. I told him that many people recognize that Coach Bustle contributed to the progress and made yesterday possible. His response was he thinks Coach Bustle knows that. David Walker is another that deserves more credit as he was able to bring pride and respect to the people who work in athletic administration. Now, in today's world many programs get to bowl games. To really turn the perception of your program around, you have to win that game. Let's get ready to help the team go do just that.

[moorecajun]

This is why I chose to stay near Bourbon...watch the Cajuns win...and then celebrate on Bourbon. Recipe for success....

Your thought process may have been better than mine ... I chose the Hyatt so I would be able to find my hotel after the game. The way all this is shaping up already, when we celebrate after the game, I may not make it back to the room!

[Turbine]

Brock thank you so much, I was working, driving, and recording but I missed the start of Troy Wingerter's "Our Day" speech.

Nice editing, well done.

[BeauCajun]

WKU will get the invite Saturday evening to the GoatDaddy.com Bowl. It's being held in Bhaaa County, West Virginia.