Albineaux Makes his Tailgate Debut

[RedBug58]

What is the most popular college mascot? According to Sports Illustrated, it’s the Oregon Duck. Why? Costume quality, cute, unique, high energy, etc. the Chicken was a lot of this. Al is a good start, but needs improvement in all of these areas.

[CouillonCinema]

I will be honest, I love the Albineaux costume and I love the concept, but I will be truly honest by saying that the character had no enthusiasm. Albineaux came by my tailgate spot and had very little charisma. Look, I didn't expect the Fabulous Cajun Chicken, but for your first game and introduction to Cajun Nation, I would have expected the character to be much more jovial, and I did not get that from the person inside the costume. He did take pictures with the little ones we had at the site and high fived, but I was looking for some real "over the topness" with this character. I saw Albineaux later walking around and still the same lack of enthusiasm to be the character.

I realize I will probably get roasted for this take, especially by the Ragin Review group, but that is my honest opinion. I was super excited to see Albineaux and I just expected, more.

Thoughts coming later today but I’m going to speak to this real quick.

1. Thank you so much for your honest feedback. It’s very much appreciated. And I agree. I think it would have been great to see Albineaux do more, but the strategy was just to play chill this game. Feelings from naysayers were still high, and I didn’t want the character to be all “LOOK AT ME” when some of these people with influence have made it their mission to not look at him. As a team we were all a little anxious because we didn’t know what the university might try to do. That’s also why I didn’t go crazy with media coverage. Actually, I don’t think there’s one article out there right now about his debut. Which worked out great because I didn’t want to cause another frenzy. It was a chill meet and greet. We got a lot of positive feedback and data from this experience to build on. So just please be patient. The mascot doing more is coming.

Fun fact: We can work together to do a skit at your tailgate specifically. That goes for anyone. You can, and I want you to, be a part of the fun.

2. Al was more calm for safety. It was hotter than anticipated Saturday. The suit gets mad hot. We did not bring enough hydration out there. I’m actually glad I did a shift in the suit because I now understand the toll that thing puts on the body. Next time out, we’ll be better prepared to have more hydration for activities.

3. Speaking of activities, if you followed Al around the whole tailgate you would have actually seen him play football with kids, play pic-a-boo with babies, and dance with a few college students. So I’m sorry when you saw him, he was stiff, but some others might have had a different experience. I’ll work to make sure that experience is more universal.

[MarlinMan3]

Definitely a great start! I surmise he has to be slightly cautious due to no univ formal buyin and aforementioned "gator haters"
..but shouldnt need approval to dress however you want to dress to attend a game as long as not offensive.
Bravo and kudos all.around to him.

Long term though for continued usage and success at some point it needs to transition to being a student team that dresses the part, that could be argued was main reason we no longer see FCC

[ULvictory]

I realize I will probably get roasted for this take, especially by the Ragin Review group, but that is my honest opinion. I was super excited to see Albineaux and I just expected, more.

So critical, Dave. Ha! I kid. I kid.

But honestly, I thought Al's debut was just what we needed. When I was walking with my daughter into the stadium, we saw Al taking pictures with some of the younger fans. I asked her if she also wanted a picture, and without even answering, ran to Al. We took a few pictures before walking into the stadium, but after that all she could ask me was if the "alligator was coming too."

I understand if people have hesitation to this mascot. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. But the mascot isn't for me or for the older folks. It's for the kids and the younger crowd to keep them engaged and interested in Ragin' Cajuns sports. I've noticed there's a lot of people who are more critical of what the costume is rather than who is inside the costume. I think if people give Al a chance and the person inside the costume can create some charisma as time goes on, this can be a huge hit. I applaud Cory for his effort especially since we pride ourselves on grassroots efforts. It is part of our culture after all.

[RaginDave]

So critical, Dave. Ha! I kid. I kid.

But honestly, I thought Al's debut was just what we needed. When I was walking with my daughter into the stadium, we saw Al taking pictures with some of the younger fans. I asked her if she also wanted a picture, and without even answering, ran to Al. We took a few pictures before walking into the stadium, but after that all she could ask me was if the "alligator was coming too."

I understand if people have hesitation to this mascot. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. But the mascot isn't for me or for the older folks. It's for the kids and the younger crowd to keep them engaged and interested in Ragin' Cajuns sports. I've noticed there's a lot of people who are more critical of what the costume is rather than who is inside the costume. I think if people give Al a chance and the person inside the costume can create some charisma as time goes on, this can be a huge hit. I applaud Cory for his effort especially since we pride ourselves on grassroots efforts. It is part of our culture after all.

Yeah, I dont mean to be critical, but just want Al to be his best version. I am sure he will improve and I am excited to see what he can bring to the enthusiasm of the games. I think the kids are going to love it and that is what it is all about. Heck I would love to see Al at some indoor sports, but I know that will be challenging due to the administration, but volleyball (although the regular season is over would be a great place to see Al, considering the excitement that is already in EKL on any given night.

[Cajun Bullet]

Cool deal! Good to see this happening Albineaux.

[RedBug58]

I love your attitude. I know you are trying hard to make this work right and you are receiving all opinions in a positive way. I think you will eventually have a real winner.

[CajunVic]

Cory, so glad that you are keeping with it - this is definitely the greatest movement towards Louisiana having a mascot - a symbol - an addition to the brand - that can last forever and probably be the best thing for Louisiana's growth since the advent of sliced bread - keep it going Cory . . .

[CajunVic]

What is the most popular college mascot? According to Sports Illustrated, it’s the Oregon Duck. Why? Costume quality, cute, unique, high energy, etc. the Chicken was a lot of this. Al is a good start, but needs improvement in all of these areas.

Al could surpass the Duck because of all of the synergies which he has with Louisiana as opposed to what the Duck has to Oregon other then $$$$ - there we go again the almighty dollar . . .

[BayouRichard]

Thoughts coming later today but I’m going to speak to this real quick.

1. Thank you so much for your honest feedback. It’s very much appreciated. And I agree. I think it would have been great to see Albineaux do more, but the strategy was just to play chill this game. Feelings from naysayers were still high, and I didn’t want the character to be all “LOOK AT ME” when some of these people with influence have made it their mission to not look at him. As a team we were all a little anxious because we didn’t know what the university might try to do. That’s also why I didn’t go crazy with media coverage. Actually, I don’t think there’s one article out there right now about his debut. Which worked out great because I didn’t want to cause another frenzy. It was a chill meet and greet. We got a lot of positive feedback and data from this experience to build on. So just please be patient. The mascot doing more is coming.

Fun fact: We can work together to do a skit at your tailgate specifically. That goes for anyone. You can, and I want you to, be a part of the fun.

2. Al was more calm for safety. It was hotter than anticipated Saturday. The suit gets mad hot. We did not bring enough hydration out there. I’m actually glad I did a shift in the suit because I now understand the toll that thing puts on the body. Next time out, we’ll be better prepared to have more hydration for activities.

3. Speaking of activities, if you followed Al around the whole tailgate you would have actually seen him play football with kids, play pic-a-boo with babies, and dance with a few college students. So I’m sorry when you saw him, he was stiff, but some others might have had a different experience. I’ll work to make sure that experience is more universal.

To help with the heat, this is just one of many type of cool vest that may be able to be worn under the outfit. Long ago when I did hazmat work, I wore the expensive vest and they work very well. Good luck!