Hey guys, check out this animation of the new Athletic Performance Center that we are getting set to build at Louisiana. We already have the Indoor Practice Facility in place, but this building will be added to it and is really phenomenal.

If you haven't noticed yet, there are some really great things happening at Louisiana right now, this program has layed dormant for 30+ years but has found its footing as of the last few years and untapped wealth and money of this area being in the oil and gas industry is starting to get behind the program like never before. You will start to see big things from UL in the coming years. Add us to a conference like the Big XII and the sky is the limit. We could steal recruits away from the SEC being 60 miles down I-10 from LSU. I-10 and I-49 intersect in Lafayette and we are at the center of South Louisiana. Lots to like here...

I have been past that actual site and was wondering when the planned expansion to 45,000 is going to happen?

This program could be in line for some access bowls with facilities in place to out recruit CUSA and AAC schools.

(07-31-2013 09:50 AM)Kittonhead Wrote:  I have been past that actual site and was wondering when the planned expansion to 45,000 is going to happen?

This program could be in line for some access bowls with facilities in place to out recruit CUSA and AAC schools.

Phase 1a bids are presently being accepted. Phase 1a enclosure of the south end zone and a portion of the North end zone will begin this fall...capacity after the additions will be around 39,000...the indoor practice facility has been in place for a few years now. The football practice facility that is shown in the animation will begin taking bids soon. With luck, the football practice facility will be completed by the start of the 2014 season....while it is completed bids will go out for the completion of the football stadium upgrades (phase 1b) to add suites and administration building to rear of the west side of stadium along with upper deck on the east side...this will take capacity to over 45,000....baseball stadium renovation and expansion is also included in this phase...long term plans include taking stadium to 65,000 when needed...BTW, financing for the 1st portion of this project (phase 1a) is secured...

I would love to have a bowl game in Lafayette after expansion. A bet a certain company in New Iberia would be interested in sponsoring. Awesome food in that area...as I always stop in LaFayette when driving I-10. Good Luck and hopefully you can get into the AAC in the next wave of expansion.

(07-31-2013 09:50 AM)Kittonhead Wrote:  I have been past that actual site and was wondering when the planned expansion to 45,000 is going to happen?

This program could be in line for some access bowls with facilities in place to out recruit CUSA and AAC schools.

The stadium expansion is set to begin during this season adding 6,000 seats to bowl in one of the endzones, then the following 2 years will get us to right at 50,000. There's suplemental plans to add up to 65,000 eventually. It's all in the works guys, the Cajuns are building for the future.

Well, I no longer live in Lafayette but I was there long enough to attest to the fact that the city and the surrounding area has more money in it than it's population would lead you to believe. The energy industry is all over that area. If they truly get behind UL in this extended effort then UL will definitely be worthy of a spot in CUSA and perhaps even in an extended AAC if that becomes the gatekeeper conference of the new Division 1.

That city and surrounding area will easily fill a 50K stadium. The branding of UL as the Ragin' Cajuns is perfect. Outsiders may not understand that. I certainly didnt before moving there but after having lived there, that name and it's Symbol are Perfect for getting local support.

Good luck Cajuns, you deserve to not be left behind!

Coming from a school that gets slammed all the time for our attendance this is just an honest question.

Why are you expanding to 50k/65k when you have averaged just under 22k over the past 5 years. You have great games like 41k vs Southern in 2009 but then in the same season you have less than 9k.

Like I said honest question not a slam.

Good for the Cajuns that they are improving their campus and program.

With that said, they have about as much chance of ever joining a league with Texas and Oklahoma as they have of joining a league with the Dallas Cowboys and the Washington Redskins.

(07-31-2013 11:20 AM)Native Georgian Wrote:  Good for the Cajuns that they are improving their campus and program.

With that said, they have about as much chance of ever joining a league with Texas and Oklahoma as they have of joining a league with the Dallas Cowboys and the Washington Redskins.

I don't think that is the point. I would say a lofty yet attainable goal in the future would be to push for CUSA status or even AAC status depending upon the outcome of all this Division 1 talk and which conferences make it.

Tulane may be in NOLA but UL is the program that is growing and showing strong results. Having a results driven program in the heart of Louisiana is not chump change at all.

(07-31-2013 11:23 AM)He1nousOne Wrote:  a lofty yet attainable goal in the future would be to push for CUSA status or even AAC status depending upon the outcome of all this Division 1 talk and which conferences make it.

I agree with that.

My comment about the Dallas Cowboys was to highlight the dumb idea -- mentioned in the OP -- that the Cajuns are going to be on the Big <12's radar at some point. That notion is, quite simply, stupid. The fact that one particular person ("CajunJuice") keeps mentioning that idea (in this and other threads) as if it were serious shows that he he is either stupid, himself, or is being a troll. Not sure which is the case, but it's one or the other.

(07-31-2013 11:08 AM)GO Coogs GO!!! Wrote:  Coming from a school that gets slammed all the time for our attendance this is just an honest question.

Why are you expanding to 50k/65k when you have averaged just under 22k over the past 5 years. You have great games like 41k vs Southern in 2009 but then in the same season you have less than 9k.

Like I said honest question not a slam.

45,000 plus is the primary plan....65,000 down the road when needed...In the past we have hosted Alabama, Texas A&m, Kansas ST., Oklahoma ST. and others ...we will need every one of those 45,000 seats to attract quality opponents on a regular basis.

(07-31-2013 11:39 AM)swampbear Wrote:  

(07-31-2013 11:08 AM)GO Coogs GO!!! Wrote:  Coming from a school that gets slammed all the time for our attendance this is just an honest question.

Why are you expanding to 50k/65k when you have averaged just under 22k over the past 5 years. You have great games like 41k vs Southern in 2009 but then in the same season you have less than 9k.

Like I said honest question not a slam.

45,000 plus is the primary plan....65,000 down the road when needed...In the past we have hosted Alabama, Texas A&m, Kansas ST., Oklahoma ST. and others ...we will need every one of those 45,000 seats to attract quality opponents on a regular basis.

Knowing the Lafayette population, they like following a winning program. Your baseball program has a very strong following. I found people there talking about UL baseball all the time.

If you guys can keep that coach and keep winning bowls, you will definitely build up an even larger following in Lafayette and the surrounding cities.

I think it will be key that you guys turn that Stadium into one that feels like a college stadium rather than an oversized high school stadium.

(07-31-2013 11:37 AM)Native Georgian Wrote:  

(07-31-2013 11:23 AM)He1nousOne Wrote:  a lofty yet attainable goal in the future would be to push for CUSA status or even AAC status depending upon the outcome of all this Division 1 talk and which conferences make it.

I agree with that.

My comment about the Dallas Cowboys was to highlight the dumb idea -- mentioned in the OP -- that the Cajuns are going to be on the Big <12's radar at some point. That notion is, quite simply, stupid. The fact that one particular person ("CajunJuice") keeps mentioning that idea (in this and other threads) as if it were serious shows that he he is either stupid, himself, or is being a troll. Not sure which is the case, but it's one or the other.

Well, I am not going to make any personal comments about CajunJuice as I dont know him.

I will put it like this, after being in Lafayette for a few months, it does not surprise me to see some fans of the Cajuns thinking such is possible. The way they see UL is uh....well...from a somewhat sheltered perspective. It is a very nice school and the campus is all very beautiful buildings but a Big 12 school it is not. It may get there someday but one does not get to the Big 12 by skipping over the hierarchy of conferences.

They may be able to skip over CUSA with a very historic set of events precipitating such a move mixed with the efforts that UL is truly putting forward to market itself at this very important time.

At best I could see them in a 20 team AAC league that serves as the bottom end of Division 1. Otherwise I could see them landing in CUSA if the bottom end of Division 1 is a smaller AAC and the MWC. Without 20 teams, I dont see two Louisiana programs being worth it for the AAC.

Louisiana also has the best FB (10,900) and BB (2,100) season ticket bases in the SBC.

http://www.ajc.com/weblogs/georgia-state...et-prices/

This should be where CUSA looks next for membership, not James Madison.

(07-31-2013 01:22 PM)Kittonhead Wrote:  Louisiana also has the best FB (10,900) and BB (2,100) season ticket bases in the SBC.

http://www.ajc.com/weblogs/georgia-state...et-prices/

This should be where CUSA looks next for membership, not James Madison.

We have knocked at the door in the recent past in all sports really---WBB we were in a regional---MBB 2 regionals and great past with crowds of almost 9K----softball in the wcws a few times and always in the regionals (1 out from the WCWS this year) baseball in the CWS and a regional guest almost always ------and football where we have been bowl eligible the last 6 of 8 years and went to the NO bowl and sold more tickets than any other school in the country excluding the championship-----Now just think about the area of recruiting and the crowds if Big 12 schools would come regularly----season tickets through the roof in all sports and a very worthy Big12 member!!! Also easy driving and air access to Lafayette---Did I mention we were the #1 food city in the nation as by S Living mag???

(07-31-2013 04:35 PM)exflash Wrote:  

(07-31-2013 01:22 PM)Kittonhead Wrote:  Louisiana also has the best FB (10,900) and BB (2,100) season ticket bases in the SBC.

http://www.ajc.com/weblogs/georgia-state...et-prices/

This should be where CUSA looks next for membership, not James Madison.

We have knocked at the door in the recent past in all sports really---WBB we were in a regional---MBB 2 regionals and great past with crowds of almost 9K----softball in the wcws a few times and always in the regionals (1 out from the WCWS this year) baseball in the CWS and a regional guest almost always ------and football where we have been bowl eligible the last 6 of 8 years and went to the NO bowl and sold more tickets than any other school in the country excluding the championship-----Now just think about the area of recruiting and the crowds if Big 12 schools would come regularly----season tickets through the roof in all sports and a very worthy Big12 member!!! Also easy driving and air access to Lafayette---Did I mention we were the #1 food city in the nation as by S Living mag???

I agree. Lafayette has great food.

(07-31-2013 04:43 PM)bigblueblindness Wrote:  

(07-31-2013 04:35 PM)exflash Wrote:  

(07-31-2013 01:22 PM)Kittonhead Wrote:  Louisiana also has the best FB (10,900) and BB (2,100) season ticket bases in the SBC.

http://www.ajc.com/weblogs/georgia-state...et-prices/

This should be where CUSA looks next for membership, not James Madison.

We have knocked at the door in the recent past in all sports really---WBB we were in a regional---MBB 2 regionals and great past with crowds of almost 9K----softball in the wcws a few times and always in the regionals (1 out from the WCWS this year) baseball in the CWS and a regional guest almost always ------and football where we have been bowl eligible the last 6 of 8 years and went to the NO bowl and sold more tickets than any other school in the country excluding the championship-----Now just think about the area of recruiting and the crowds if Big 12 schools would come regularly----season tickets through the roof in all sports and a very worthy Big12 member!!! Also easy driving and air access to Lafayette---Did I mention we were the #1 food city in the nation as by S Living mag???

I agree. Lafayette has great food.

I agree, I already miss the food.

(07-31-2013 09:27 AM)CajunJuice Wrote:  Hey guys, check out this animation of the new Athletic Performance Center that we are getting set to build at Louisiana. We already have the Indoor Practice Facility in place, but this building will be added to it and is really phenomenal.

If you haven't noticed yet, there are some really great things happening at Louisiana right now, this program has layed dormant for 30+ years but has found its footing as of the last few years and untapped wealth and money of this area being in the oil and gas industry is starting to get behind the program like never before. You will start to see big things from UL in the coming years. Add us to a conference like the Big XII and the sky is the limit. We could steal recruits away from the SEC being 60 miles down I-10 from LSU. I-10 and I-49 intersect in Lafayette and we are at the center of South Louisiana. Lots to like here...

It just really sucks that Southern Miss never did anything like this.

(07-31-2013 04:43 PM)bigblueblindness Wrote:  

(07-31-2013 04:35 PM)exflash Wrote:  

(07-31-2013 01:22 PM)Kittonhead Wrote:  Louisiana also has the best FB (10,900) and BB (2,100) season ticket bases in the SBC.

http://www.ajc.com/weblogs/georgia-state...et-prices/

This should be where CUSA looks next for membership, not James Madison.

We have knocked at the door in the recent past in all sports really---WBB we were in a regional---MBB 2 regionals and great past with crowds of almost 9K----softball in the wcws a few times and always in the regionals (1 out from the WCWS this year) baseball in the CWS and a regional guest almost always ------and football where we have been bowl eligible the last 6 of 8 years and went to the NO bowl and sold more tickets than any other school in the country excluding the championship-----Now just think about the area of recruiting and the crowds if Big 12 schools would come regularly----season tickets through the roof in all sports and a very worthy Big12 member!!! Also easy driving and air access to Lafayette---Did I mention we were the #1 food city in the nation as by S Living mag???

I agree. Lafayette has great food.

Olde Tyme Grocery anyone?

(07-31-2013 06:02 PM)OldGoldnBlue Wrote:  

(07-31-2013 04:43 PM)bigblueblindness Wrote:  

(07-31-2013 04:35 PM)exflash Wrote:  

(07-31-2013 01:22 PM)Kittonhead Wrote:  Louisiana also has the best FB (10,900) and BB (2,100) season ticket bases in the SBC.

http://www.ajc.com/weblogs/georgia-state...et-prices/

This should be where CUSA looks next for membership, not James Madison.

We have knocked at the door in the recent past in all sports really---WBB we were in a regional---MBB 2 regionals and great past with crowds of almost 9K----softball in the wcws a few times and always in the regionals (1 out from the WCWS this year) baseball in the CWS and a regional guest almost always ------and football where we have been bowl eligible the last 6 of 8 years and went to the NO bowl and sold more tickets than any other school in the country excluding the championship-----Now just think about the area of recruiting and the crowds if Big 12 schools would come regularly----season tickets through the roof in all sports and a very worthy Big12 member!!! Also easy driving and air access to Lafayette---Did I mention we were the #1 food city in the nation as by S Living mag???

I agree. Lafayette has great food.

Olde Tyme Grocery anyone?

Judice Inn burgers.