To the fans that support Albineaux, if there is anyway you can get this presentation in front of Dr. Savoie or Dr. Maggard, I would greatly appreciate it. I do not care about being recognized for any of the of work I put into developing this character. What I only care about is the fans and the students of my alma mater.
There's been so many discussion and anguish with things are not and never will be in our control. We can't control if an athlete is going to get a bigger NIL deal. We hardly have a say who’s on the sideline of our sports teams. But a mascot is something we can have a say on. We need a character that is never going to enter the transfer portal or move on to a more lucrative job. We need a spirit leader that is organic and consistent, and that is where our university as failed.
I'm afraid if we allow the administration to put out another nonorganic mascot, we are going to end up in the exact same place as soon as it doesn't serve a new administration's agenda. Cayenne died because no one cared enough to keep Cayenne when the budget got tough and a new AD took charge. The marketing guy that imaged him had no investment in the community. With a new character, what happens when Maggard is gone? What happens when T-Joe retires? We might get left with something that we will have to ask if it was ever really ours' in the first place. That terrifies me.
That is why, despite me being in graduate school and having a ton of work to do at all times, and having two jobs, a relationship, and an entire in film post production, I made time to create this presentation. But I am only one piece of this bigger puzzle. That is why I do not care for recognition. I am still so so small in their eyes. That is why I am begging for anyone who is as passionate about the future of UL as I am to help in this effort; to make the character yours; and to set a foundation for Cajuns fans BY Cajuns fans.