UL/Louisiana Branding

[ZoomZoom]

My dad, who attended LSU had a saying about LSU...so much invested, so little returned...

[sportsfanatic21]

Ok, I'll stand corrected on that part, even though it had nothing to do with the main point of my post, and I just found out by reading the graphics standards manual that the actual athletic team name of the university is "Louisiana Ragin Cajuns", which is how they get around including the Lafayette on athletic jerseys and athletic signs and such. I never remembered that from when I was in school there and always used to laugh at all the t-shirts from football games having a tiny "Lafayette" fine printed under Louisiana. Either way, I apologize for making the wrong statement there. However, the main point of the post was about people throwing a temper tantrum when anyone in the media or even in just a conversation gets infuriated when someone says ULL or University of Louisiana at Lafayette. I went to a lot of baseball games this year, including the games this weekend and the weekend before, and it just gets so old seeing people go ballistic just because someone said the name of the university. I really believe it makes us look bad. That's all.

You're obviously not a passionate sports fan of your alma mater. First of all, if you continue your research, you'll find that our university (via the sports information office) SPECIFICALLY asks NOT to be referred to as ULL. So when that abbreviation is used, it gets under people's skin. Hence the reactions you seem so annoyed with. Let's pretend your name is Richard. And you ask that everyone refer to you as Richard, Rich, or Rick, and specifically ask them NOT to refer to you as D-ck. Wouldn't you get upset when someone called you D-ick?

Secondly, you should watch some of the sporting events your alma mater has been involved in the last few years. In more than a few of these games, on the worldwide leader in sports, our "logo" appears on the screen as the Lafayette Leopards, a university in the northeastern part of the US. That's also why we really don't like to be referred to as "Lafayette". It takes away from the exposure and accomplishments of our great university. And guess what, national perception (a lot of which comes via collegiate athletics) has an effect on the quality of the degree you hold as a graduate of UL. Whether you think so or not, that is a fact. So if you really are a UL grad, it looks to me like you should be dropping by here to leave a quick "Thank you" to those who are trying to lift up this university to heights it's never seen before, rather than coming here griping about it due to your ignorance of the circumstances.

I hope you are open minded and intelligent enough to see why so many proud alums fight this battle on a daily basis. Maybe you'll become one of them once you gather all the information they can pass on to you. Hell, it may do you some good down the line. Support your alma mater! And GEAUX CAJUNS!!

[CajunT]

This thread has become so enlightening.

The vast majority of people in the Lafayette area support both schools. The local media & retailers can verify this. There is a minority of UL people that hate LSU for one reason or another & they tend to gather on raginpagin.com. There are also a smaller minority of people that have ill will toward UL, but it’s usually a result of that zealot friend and/or family member always hating on LSU.

I am certain someone will point out the reason they hate LSU is because of their “fans”, which is a popular excuse. Many LSU fans commonly say they hate Alabama because of their “fans”. In actuality, fans are envious of the other schools success & don’t care to be reminded of it by the opposing schools supporters, “bandwagon” or not. Unfortunately, winning brings out arrogance in people no matter who you support & is not exclusive to LSU supporters regardless of how some of you expect us to believe. Also, the fact that LSU is recognized as the state’s only major university & draws statewide support, including in Lafayette, is a source of contempt by a few UL die hard fans.

It seems that a few of you think the so called LSU “bandwagon” fans will jump ship the more success UL athletics experiences. While many local fans who are LSU fans will attend UL sporting events, it’s naïve to think they will suddenly become loyal UL fans & ditch LSU all together. Realistically, these local “bandwagon” fans will follow both schools’ athletic teams as they experience success. They will gravitate to whoever is having a great season.

Geaux Cajuns!

I agree the vast majority of fans support both schools in Lafayette Parish because of family ties, although this past year represented the first that UL attire out sold LSU in this Parish as per the head of the Lafayette Retailers Association. My experience has been just the opposite as for as which fan base represents the minority and which fan base represents the majority. First, I didn't see a minority stand up and cheer on the video from WBRZ at the LSU game when UL lost to Jackson State. I guess all those Tiger Baseball fans represent a small minority?

I often hear LSU fans could care less about what happens in Lafayette with Cajun athletics. Yet, there was no shortage of LSU fans, students and other supporters knocking the Cajuns on twitter along the way. And because many fans of other programs like McNeese State, Louisiana Tech, ULM and other state schools are as you say LSU fans as well, that number of UL haters is much larger than you or other LSU fans will ever agree. I think that video only solidified what many UL fans have felt about LSU for a long time, along as the Tigers are in the national headlines they are an easy group to get along with. But if at any time it’s not LSU programs in the limelight like NCAA Basketball Tournament, the Super Regional’s and the Softball World Series, the comments start popping up on twitter, face book pages and the comment sections online under newspaper articles. It sure didn’t seem like a minority this past year.

For the record, I watch LSU Baseball and Football because I enjoy both. I met Coach Miles for the first time last year and spoke to him. I thought he was a good guy and enjoyed the conversation. I also think Coach Mainieri is a class guy and Alex Bregman and several other LSU athletes are class kids as well. They were all on twitter wishing UL well against Ole Miss and Mississippi State. Too bad their fan base couldn’t follow their example.

I know some people on this board can’t go a day without mentioning LSU and I really don’t care to read it. But when I read an LSU fan saying they are really the minority when it comes to hating the Cajun, the antidotal evidence has been overwhelming this past sport season that it is quite the opposite.

[justafan83]

You're obviously not a passionate sports fan of your alma mater. First of all, if you continue your research, you'll find that our university (via the sports information office) SPECIFICALLY asks NOT to be referred to as ULL. So when that abbreviation is used, it gets under people's skin. Hence the reactions you seem so annoyed with. Let's pretend your name is Richard. And you ask that everyone refer to you as Richard, Rich, or Rick, and specifically ask them NOT to refer to you as D-ck. Wouldn't you get upset when someone called you D-ick?

Secondly, you should watch some of the sporting events your alma mater has been involved in the last few years. In more than a few of these games, on the worldwide leader in sports, our "logo" appears on the screen as the Lafayette Leopards, a university in the northeastern part of the US. That's also why we really don't like to be referred to as "Lafayette". It takes away from the exposure and accomplishments of our great university. And guess what, national perception (a lot of which comes via collegiate athletics) has an effect on the quality of the degree you hold as a graduate of UL. Whether you think so or not, that is a fact. So if you really are a UL grad, it looks to me like you should be dropping by here to leave a quick "Thank you" to those who are trying to lift up this university to heights it's never seen before, rather than coming here griping about it due to your ignorance of the circumstances.

I hope you are open minded and intelligent enough to see why so many proud alums fight this battle on a daily basis. Maybe you'll become one of them once you gather all the information they can pass on to you. Hell, it may do you some good down the line. Support your alma mater! And GEAUX CAJUNS!!

The example you use isn't relevant. D-ck wouldn't be the actual name, so it would make sense if you got upset if someone called you that if your name was Richard. But if your name is Richard and you walked into a formal place, like say the DMV or something, and asked to be called Rich, I still think it would be idiotic to scream and holler at someone for calling you Richard. And true, the university does specifically ask not to be referred to as ULL. But it lists the only acceptable names of the university as The University of Louisiana at Lafayette for first references, or simply The University for second references. The only thing that would make it appropriate to say "Louisiana Ragin Cajuns" is when referring specifically to the athletic team. But the scoreboard would have the university name and not the athletic team name, much like you wouldn't turn on espn and see a scoreboard on the screen that said Cornhuskers vs Sooners, as opposed to Nebraska vs Oklahoma. And if being a passionate sports fan of my alma mater means that I have to agree with everything every other fan says or that I'm supposed to whine and scream like an infant when I don't get my way to get called a name that isn't the actual name, then so be it. Like I said, I don't care if you or anybody else wants to call it UL, Louisiana, University of Louisiana, or whatever else you may feel works. The only problem I have is when UL fans rip into someone for using the actual name, as exampled by this whole thread. So, yes, I am a UL grad, and no, I don't need to thank you or anybody other than the coaches and contributors who make the programs what they are for a thing.

[CrazyCajun]

The example you use isn't relevant. D-ck wouldn't be the actual name, so it would make sense if you got upset if someone called you that if your name was Richard. But if your name is Richard and you walked into a formal place, like say the DMV or something, and asked to be called Rich, I still think it would be idiotic to scream and holler at someone for calling you Richard. And true, the university does specifically ask not to be referred to as ULL. But it lists the only acceptable names of the university as The University of Louisiana at Lafayette for first references, or simply The University for second references. The only thing that would make it appropriate to say "Louisiana Ragin Cajuns" is when referring specifically to the athletic team. But the scoreboard would have the university name and not the athletic team name, much like you wouldn't turn on espn and see a scoreboard on the screen that said Cornhuskers vs Sooners, as opposed to Nebraska vs Oklahoma. And if being a passionate sports fan of my alma mater means that I have to agree with everything every other fan says or that I'm supposed to whine and scream like an infant when I don't get my way to get called a name that isn't the actual name, then so be it. Like I said, I don't care if you or anybody else wants to call it UL, Louisiana, University of Louisiana, or whatever else you may feel works. The only problem I have is when UL fans rip into someone for using the actual name, as exampled by this whole thread. So, yes, I am a UL grad, and no, I don't need to thank you or anybody other than the coaches and contributors who make the programs what they are for a thing.

Oh you mean it doesn't say Nebraska Lincoln? Their official name? It doesn't say texas Austin? Their official name.

[justafan83]

Jesus. We are not Nebraska, nor are we Texas. And those two schools have it listed as names to reference the school by. The University of Louisiana at Lafayette does not legally provide for any other references other than the references I previously listed, which is why espn has argued that it won't call us anything other than the official references. I'm sure in the midst of your extensive research you can find one of the dozens of articles on the subject. Also, I will provide a link to the actual graphic standards manual that lists everything I've described. I just think the fans need to worry about the respect the university earns, and not the respect it asks for. If we keep moving in the right direction, we will get the respect we deserve and have an easier time getting our way. Until we get there, whining over every little slight is not good for the university.

http://www.louisiana.edu/sites/louis...dards-2013.pdf

[jllanclos]

Jesus. We are not Nebraska, nor are we Texas. And those two schools have it listed as names to reference the school by. The University of Louisiana at Lafayette, does not legally provide for any other references other than the references I previously listed, which is why espn has argued that it won't call us anything other than the official references. I'm sure in the midst of your extensive research you can find one of the dozens of articles on the subject. Also, I will provide a link to the actual graphic standards manual that lists everything I've described. I just think the fans need to worry about the respect the university earns, and not the respect it asks for. If we keep moving in the right direction, we will get the respect we deserve and have an easier time getting or way. Until we get there, whining over every little slight is not good for the university.

What about "Ohio-Athens?" Are "we" on that level yet, at least?

PS I'm not sure why you need to blaspheme to make such a small point.

[justafan83]

What about "Ohio-Athens?" Are "we" on that level yet, at least?

PS I'm not sure why you need to blaspheme to make such a small point.

Mainly because it's ridiculous that you keep comparing this university to other universities that have actual legal things in place to allow them to be called what they'd like to be called. Until "we", as in UL fans, UL alumni, UL students, Bob from down the road, or anybody else that associates with the university, have that in place, all I'm saying is it's ridiculous to want to burn someone at the stake for using the references the school actually provides for. If we get the laws changed, then by all means, rip someone's head off for refusing to call us by the correct name. Until then, it just makes the person look like a _____, and reflects that upon all the other fans.

[CajunAmos]

Jesus. We are not Nebraska, nor are we Texas. And those two schools have it listed as names to reference the school by. The University of Louisiana at Lafayette does not legally provide for any other references other than the references I previously listed, which is why espn has argued that it won't call us anything other than the official references. I'm sure in the midst of your extensive research you can find one of the dozens of articles on the subject. Also, I will provide a link to the actual graphic standards manual that lists everything I've described. I just think the fans need to worry about the respect the university earns, and not the respect it asks for. If we keep moving in the right direction, we will get the respect we deserve and have an easier time getting our way. Until we get there, whining over every little slight is not good for the university.

http://www.louisiana.edu/sites/louis...dards-2013.pdf

Did you reference this page by chance?

http://www.louisiana.edu/about-us/me...iversitys-name

[jllanclos]

Mainly because it's ridiculous that you keep comparing this university to other universities that have actual legal things in place to allow them to be called what they'd like to be called. Until "we", as in UL fans, UL alumni, UL students, Bob from down the road, or anybody else that associates with the university, have that in place, all I'm saying is it's ridiculous to want to burn someone at the stake for using the references the school actually provides for. If we get the laws changed, then by all means, rip someone's head off for refusing to call us by the correct name. Until then, it just makes the person look like a _____, and reflects that upon all the other fans.

What "legal things" does Ohio-Athens have in place? Show me.