(03-30-2014 08:58 AM)Kittonhead Wrote:  Lafayette is a small city. Hardly the market that it being portrayed as by Cajun fans as one of major opulence, power and potential.

Personally, I think Lafayette and Arkansas State would be good pick ups for CUSA based on fans and performance but I just don't think they are ready for the B12 or anything like that.

Lafayette:



New Orleans:

Lafayette metro has a half million people, similar in size to the metro area of Lexington, Kentucky, which was the largest city in Kentucky until Louisville did their city/county merger about 5 years ago.

Here is Muncie, Indiana which is about the same size of Lafayette.

ULL fans are trying to play up the fact they have a big market when in fact its a small market. That 500,000 total is for the whole Acadiana region.

I still think ULL would be a nice get for CUSA and should have gotten in over a couple of schools that made it last round but the fact remains its a small market.

Athens, Ohio is regarded as one of the smallest markets in FBS but if you totaled up the population of its county and surrounding counties you would still end up with about 315,000.

Athens 64,681
Hocking 28,665
Meigs 23,496
Vinton 13,276
Perry 35,997
Washington 61,310
Wood, WV 86,569

Total Pop 313,994

Let's try the same exercise for Lafayette and surrounding parishes.

Lafayette 230,845
Vermillion 59,253
Acadia 62,204
St.Landry 83,454
St.Martin 52,936
Iberia 73,878

Total Pop 562,570

So the Lafayette region has 250,000 more people than the mid Ohio valley. However the counties in the Lafayette region are about double in size than what you have in Ohio. If you added the next layer of counties around Athens it would easily pass Lafayette in population.

Fairfield 148,867
Pickaway 56,304
Ross 77,910
Jackson 32,738
Gallia 30,621
Licking 168,375
Muskingum 85,231
Noble 14,628
Monroe 14,858
Pleasants, WV 7,577
Ritchie, WV 10,073
Wirt, WV 5,901
Jackson, WV 29,178
Mason, WV 27,126

Total Population 709,387+313,994 (1,023,381)

In the same radius, Athens has double the population of Lafayette. That just goes to show you how small the Lafayette region is. Its not going to pass for a major media market anytime soon.

Something that you aren't taking into consideration is the fact that the larger region around Lafayette, Acadiana, is culturally, socially, and ethnically fairly homogenous. The connection that the region has is vastly in excess of any normal area. They don't call it the heart of Cajun country for nothing.

The level of support, money, and resources available to UL for being part of Acadiana can't be quantified in mere population figures. If you have never been to Lafayette, or Acadiana, then you probably won't understand what I'm talking about but if you have you know exactly. Most people there have extremely deep roots and a cultural and social connection to the school and area that are truly unmatched. It's a serious advantage and one that isn't easily quanitified.

Lafayette, and Acadiana, are the beating cultural heart of the Louisiana and if, if, they harness that at the rate they have over the last 5 years for the foreseeable future they could very easily lay claim to second best behind LSU.

As it pertains to the numbers you just posted, maybe 100,000, on the extreme high end, in that region around Athens even remotely care about Ohio U. Out of that 500k around Lafayette that number is considerably higher.

(04-05-2014 11:28 AM)HeartOfDixie Wrote:  Something that you aren't taking into consideration is the fact that the larger region around Lafayette, Acadiana, is culturally, socially, and ethnically fairly homogenous. The connection that the region has is vastly in excess of any normal area. They don't call it the heart of Cajun country for nothing.

The level of support, money, and resources available to UL for being part of Acadiana can't be quantified in mere population figures. If you have never been to Lafayette, or Acadiana, then you probably won't understand what I'm talking about but if you have you know exactly. Most people there have extremely deep roots and a cultural and social connection to the school and area that are truly unmatched. It's a serious advantage and one that isn't easily quanitified.

Lafayette, and Acadiana, are the beating cultural heart of the Louisiana and if, if, they harness that at the rate they have over the last 5 years for the foreseeable future they could very easily lay claim to second best behind LSU.

As it pertains to the numbers you just posted, maybe 100,000, on the extreme high end, in that region around Athens even remotely care about Ohio U. Out of that 500k around Lafayette that number is considerably higher.

Ohio has 35,000 students with campuses throughout the region I was describing above. Athens is the cultural heart of the Appalachian Ohio region. The support for the university within this community is pretty high as its the largest employer in a 20 county region.

Lafayette has a bigger local population than Athens so naturally the football crowds should be bigger. ULL's opening night crowd draws 41,000 while in Athens its 26,000. Basketball crowds in Athens far exceed what they can get over at the Cajun Dome though.

My point is not that Ohio has more fan potential than ULL. My point is that you are greatly overrating the size of Lafayette proper. Ever since I made the trip to Lafayette looking for Andrew Moutton's house I've come across very underwhelmed by the city.

ULL has to contend with LSU football in that region just like Ohio has to deal with Ohio State football. Loyalty to Lafayette may be one thing but loyalty to ULL athletics is another.

(04-05-2014 12:09 PM)Kittonhead Wrote:  

(04-05-2014 11:28 AM)HeartOfDixie Wrote:  Something that you aren't taking into consideration is the fact that the larger region around Lafayette, Acadiana, is culturally, socially, and ethnically fairly homogenous. The connection that the region has is vastly in excess of any normal area. They don't call it the heart of Cajun country for nothing.

The level of support, money, and resources available to UL for being part of Acadiana can't be quantified in mere population figures. If you have never been to Lafayette, or Acadiana, then you probably won't understand what I'm talking about but if you have you know exactly. Most people there have extremely deep roots and a cultural and social connection to the school and area that are truly unmatched. It's a serious advantage and one that isn't easily quanitified.

Lafayette, and Acadiana, are the beating cultural heart of the Louisiana and if, if, they harness that at the rate they have over the last 5 years for the foreseeable future they could very easily lay claim to second best behind LSU.

As it pertains to the numbers you just posted, maybe 100,000, on the extreme high end, in that region around Athens even remotely care about Ohio U. Out of that 500k around Lafayette that number is considerably higher.

Ohio has 35,000 students with campuses throughout the region I was describing above. Athens is the cultural heart of the Appalachian Ohio region. The support for the university within this community is pretty high as its the largest employer in a 20 county region.

Lafayette has a bigger local population than Athens so naturally the football crowds should be bigger. ULL's opening night crowd draws 41,000 while in Athens its 26,000. Basketball crowds in Athens far exceed what they can get over at the Cajun Dome though.

My point is not that Ohio has more fan potential than ULL. My point is that you are greatly overrating the size of Lafayette proper. Ever since I made the trip to Lafayette looking for Andrew Moutton's house I've come across very underwhelmed by the city.

ULL has to contend with LSU football in that region just like Ohio has to deal with Ohio State football. Loyalty to Lafayette may be one thing but loyalty to ULL athletics is another.

I understand your point. I'm just trying to express to you how the numbers alone are part of the story. Acadiana is entirely unique, it is not merely a region but a culture and a center for a group of people. There isn't anything comparable elsewhere in the country.

There is an interest and a level of support for the university and the Cajuns that runs a lot deeper than being an employee, an alum, or even just living in the region.

It's an intangible that has and will have a huge impact on the future of the school. It's unique.

(04-05-2014 12:21 PM)HeartOfDixie Wrote:  

(04-05-2014 12:09 PM)Kittonhead Wrote:  

(04-05-2014 11:28 AM)HeartOfDixie Wrote:  Something that you aren't taking into consideration is the fact that the larger region around Lafayette, Acadiana, is culturally, socially, and ethnically fairly homogenous. The connection that the region has is vastly in excess of any normal area. They don't call it the heart of Cajun country for nothing.

The level of support, money, and resources available to UL for being part of Acadiana can't be quantified in mere population figures. If you have never been to Lafayette, or Acadiana, then you probably won't understand what I'm talking about but if you have you know exactly. Most people there have extremely deep roots and a cultural and social connection to the school and area that are truly unmatched. It's a serious advantage and one that isn't easily quanitified.

Lafayette, and Acadiana, are the beating cultural heart of the Louisiana and if, if, they harness that at the rate they have over the last 5 years for the foreseeable future they could very easily lay claim to second best behind LSU.

As it pertains to the numbers you just posted, maybe 100,000, on the extreme high end, in that region around Athens even remotely care about Ohio U. Out of that 500k around Lafayette that number is considerably higher.

Ohio has 35,000 students with campuses throughout the region I was describing above. Athens is the cultural heart of the Appalachian Ohio region. The support for the university within this community is pretty high as its the largest employer in a 20 county region.

Lafayette has a bigger local population than Athens so naturally the football crowds should be bigger. ULL's opening night crowd draws 41,000 while in Athens its 26,000. Basketball crowds in Athens far exceed what they can get over at the Cajun Dome though.

My point is not that Ohio has more fan potential than ULL. My point is that you are greatly overrating the size of Lafayette proper. Ever since I made the trip to Lafayette looking for Andrew Moutton's house I've come across very underwhelmed by the city.

ULL has to contend with LSU football in that region just like Ohio has to deal with Ohio State football. Loyalty to Lafayette may be one thing but loyalty to ULL athletics is another.

I understand your point. I'm just trying to express to you how the numbers alone are part of the story. Acadiana is entirely unique, it is not merely a region but a culture and a center for a group of people. There isn't anything comparable elsewhere in the country.

There is an interest and a level of support for the university and the Cajuns that runs a lot deeper than being an employee, an alum, or even just living in the region.

It's an intangible that has and will have a huge impact on the future of the school. It's unique.

Why isn't it reflected in the endowment of the school? I would think if there was huge cultural support for that university it would show up in the endowment.

I just thought this was interesting but in this link they are talking about the ethnic fabric of the state of Ohio. They break the Appalachian region into 2 parts North and South.

http://www.city-data.com/forum/ohio/1749...ral-3.html

I believe the endowment stood at $130million here recently.

(03-31-2014 11:37 AM)HoustonCajun Wrote:  

(03-27-2014 12:21 PM)TopperCard Wrote:  Football at UL-L has been decent, but not great. A few bowl wins against low level competition isn't going to turn heads, but you're winning, so that's important. Basketball.... meh. Baseball is great, but like someone said, that's not going to get you into another league. What's going to attract attention is an overall investment in athletics. This starts with facilties, and as far as I can tell, the upgrades and renovations currently being done look great. I think one very important thing is to improve OOC scheduling in the major sports and be willing to play anyone, anytime, anywhere. Another key is investing in your coaches, and giving them the support they need to hire their staff and implement their visions.

Overall, I believe Louisianna-Lafayette will move up to CUSA in due time. I doubt any Sun Belt teams are going to make the jump to the AAC, or any P5 conferences.

PS - There's only one UofL, and that's Louisville :). UL-L should design a shirt that says "Respect the Hyphen".

We've never called ourselves UofL, so I guess you are right, there is only one UofL. LOUISIANA goes by UL. Don't think there is any confusion between UH (Hawaii) and UofH (Houston). Don't think there is any confusion among OSU's (Oregon State & Ok State), UT (Texas & Tennessee), and UM (Minnesota, Missouri). Michigan goes by U-M, so I guess you can ask them to "Respect the Hyphen", too. Keep using UofL. We like that just fine.

No, we use UL too. You're UL-L, for the University of Louisiana-Lafayette. Always will be, sorry bud. UL-L and UL-M. There is no University of Louisiana. That's the way it is.

(04-05-2014 12:48 PM)TopperCard Wrote:  

(03-31-2014 11:37 AM)HoustonCajun Wrote:  

(03-27-2014 12:21 PM)TopperCard Wrote:  Football at UL-L has been decent, but not great. A few bowl wins against low level competition isn't going to turn heads, but you're winning, so that's important. Basketball.... meh. Baseball is great, but like someone said, that's not going to get you into another league. What's going to attract attention is an overall investment in athletics. This starts with facilties, and as far as I can tell, the upgrades and renovations currently being done look great. I think one very important thing is to improve OOC scheduling in the major sports and be willing to play anyone, anytime, anywhere. Another key is investing in your coaches, and giving them the support they need to hire their staff and implement their visions.

Overall, I believe Louisianna-Lafayette will move up to CUSA in due time. I doubt any Sun Belt teams are going to make the jump to the AAC, or any P5 conferences.

PS - There's only one UofL, and that's Louisville :). UL-L should design a shirt that says "Respect the Hyphen".

We've never called ourselves UofL, so I guess you are right, there is only one UofL. LOUISIANA goes by UL. Don't think there is any confusion between UH (Hawaii) and UofH (Houston). Don't think there is any confusion among OSU's (Oregon State & Ok State), UT (Texas & Tennessee), and UM (Minnesota, Missouri). Michigan goes by U-M, so I guess you can ask them to "Respect the Hyphen", too. Keep using UofL. We like that just fine.

No, we use UL too. You're UL-L, for the University of Louisiana-Lafayette. Always will be, sorry bud. UL-L and UL-M. There is no University of Louisiana. That's the way it is.

Nobody has a claim to the letters.

Maybe one day Louisville will be important enough to warrant carrying the name of the state.

Still, claiming letters is silly.

(04-05-2014 12:39 PM)HeartOfDixie Wrote:  I believe the endowment stood at $130million here recently.

That is smaller than the endowment of Ohio's engineering school by itself.

I know Lafayette will be stuck in the Sunbelt for a long time because of small tv market,low annual athletic budget,tier 2 academics etc. but I think you guys should jump directly to the Big 12.

(04-05-2014 02:21 PM)Kittonhead Wrote:  

(04-05-2014 12:39 PM)HeartOfDixie Wrote:  I believe the endowment stood at $130million here recently.

That is smaller than the endowment of Ohio's engineering school by itself.

What people don't know is UL was under a dinosaur president for 30 years who would not support athletics and did little to grow the university. Since his retirement about 5 years ago, things have changed drastically. The campus is being transformed with a Master Plan that includes a separate Master Plan for athletics. Over $625M on campus and $125M on athletics being spent. Enrollment is up and expected to top 20,000 by 2020. Endowment is growing but not where it should be. Yet, it is still greater than all other UL System schools combined including LA Tech and ULM. UL is a Top 100 research university and growing rapidly. UL enrollment is equal to LA Tech and ULM combined. UL is a top Carnegie and Rockefeller university. It is very close to achieving Doctoral I status. It is also close to achieving Tired I status under USN&WR. Lafayette demographics are over 750K in a 35 mile radius called Acadiana. Our football stadium is being enlarged in 2 phases. Phase I will be completed this fall with seating increased to 38,000 and a new field house with coach's offices, weight room, meeting rooms, locker rooms and training center to go along with our Indoor Practice Facility which we have had for 5 years. Phase II will start immediately after Phase I is completed. Phase II will increase the stadium to 50,000 with suites and a new press box, offices, recruiting center and Hall of Fame center. We are building for the future, not a 26,000 seat stadium like Tulane who won't even be able to fill that. 3 bowl wins in a row, a returning team that will be top 25 calibre, baseball #2 in the country and likely making our 2nd CWS appearance, basketball in the NCAA tourney and Elfrid Payton named the Lefty Driesell Defensive Player of the Year, and softball again a top 20 team that has been to the WCWS 8 times. We are just starting to achieve great things under our new President and the sky is the limit. Lafayette and Acadiana are starting to embrace the university and money is starting to pour in. We will exceed a $20M budget this year and growing. And all of this while still in the Sun Belt. We are not building to remain there.

(04-05-2014 04:19 PM)Savacool Wrote:  I know Lafayette will be stuck in the Sunbelt for a long time because of small tv market,low annual athletic budget,tier 2 academics etc. but I think you guys should jump directly to the Big 12.

Savatool, see my other post. Tulane is building a 26,000 seat erector set stadium and you are ridiculing us? I bet we will be in the Big 12 before The University of Tulane. You are a joke athletically. You may be located in New Orleans, but you don't even control the N.O. market. UL beat Tulane twice this year in baseball and just beat you 16-0 in Lafayette where, BTW, UL has a top 10 ranking in attendance to go along with its #2 national ranking. UL has beaten you in football two straight years and grossly outdrew you in your home city and stadium last season. We have already surpassed Tulane athletically despite your larger budget, grossly exaggerated due to your high cost of tuition. I don't know why you feel a need to get on every board where Louisiana is mentioned and either create a name issue or make negative postings about us. I guess if you can't promote your own university, you need to go after the one that is about to look at you in our rear view mirror.

(04-05-2014 06:02 PM)HoustonCajun Wrote:  

(04-05-2014 02:21 PM)Kittonhead Wrote:  

(04-05-2014 12:39 PM)HeartOfDixie Wrote:  I believe the endowment stood at $130million here recently.

That is smaller than the endowment of Ohio's engineering school by itself.

What people don't know is UL was under a dinosaur president for 30 years who would not support athletics and did little to grow the university. Since his retirement about 5 years ago, things have changed drastically. The campus is being transformed with a Master Plan that includes a separate Master Plan for athletics. Over $625M on campus and $125M on athletics being spent. Enrollment is up and expected to top 20,000 by 2020. Endowment is growing but not where it should be. Yet, it is still greater than all other UL System schools combined including LA Tech and ULM. UL is a Top 100 research university and growing rapidly. UL enrollment is equal to LA Tech and ULM combined. UL is a top Carnegie and Rockefeller university. It is very close to achieving Doctoral I status. It is also close to achieving Tired I status under USN&WR. Lafayette demographics are over 750K in a 35 mile radius called Acadiana. Our football stadium is being enlarged in 2 phases. Phase I will be completed this fall with seating increased to 38,000 and a new field house with coach's offices, weight room, meeting rooms, locker rooms and training center to go along with our Indoor Practice Facility which we have had for 5 years. Phase II will start immediately after Phase I is completed. Phase II will increase the stadium to 50,000 with suites and a new press box, offices, recruiting center and Hall of Fame center. We are building for the future, not a 26,000 seat stadium like Tulane who won't even be able to fill that. 3 bowl wins in a row, a returning team that will be top 25 calibre, baseball #2 in the country and likely making our 2nd CWS appearance, basketball in the NCAA tourney and Elfrid Payton named the Lefty Driesell Defensive Player of the Year, and softball again a top 20 team that has been to the WCWS 8 times. We are just starting to achieve great things under our new President and the sky is the limit. Lafayette and Acadiana are starting to embrace the university and money is starting to pour in. We will exceed a $20M budget this year and growing. And all of this while still in the Sun Belt. We are not building to remain there.

You had me going until you started bashing Tulane for no reason. UL has a lot to be proud of without bashing other fine institutions. It's a sure sign of insecurity.

(04-05-2014 07:44 PM)pablowow Wrote:  

(04-05-2014 06:02 PM)HoustonCajun Wrote:  

(04-05-2014 02:21 PM)Kittonhead Wrote:  

(04-05-2014 12:39 PM)HeartOfDixie Wrote:  I believe the endowment stood at $130million here recently.

That is smaller than the endowment of Ohio's engineering school by itself.

What people don't know is UL was under a dinosaur president for 30 years who would not support athletics and did little to grow the university. Since his retirement about 5 years ago, things have changed drastically. The campus is being transformed with a Master Plan that includes a separate Master Plan for athletics. Over $625M on campus and $125M on athletics being spent. Enrollment is up and expected to top 20,000 by 2020. Endowment is growing but not where it should be. Yet, it is still greater than all other UL System schools combined including LA Tech and ULM. UL is a Top 100 research university and growing rapidly. UL enrollment is equal to LA Tech and ULM combined. UL is a top Carnegie and Rockefeller university. It is very close to achieving Doctoral I status. It is also close to achieving Tired I status under USN&WR. Lafayette demographics are over 750K in a 35 mile radius called Acadiana. Our football stadium is being enlarged in 2 phases. Phase I will be completed this fall with seating increased to 38,000 and a new field house with coach's offices, weight room, meeting rooms, locker rooms and training center to go along with our Indoor Practice Facility which we have had for 5 years. Phase II will start immediately after Phase I is completed. Phase II will increase the stadium to 50,000 with suites and a new press box, offices, recruiting center and Hall of Fame center. We are building for the future, not a 26,000 seat stadium like Tulane who won't even be able to fill that. 3 bowl wins in a row, a returning team that will be top 25 calibre, baseball #2 in the country and likely making our 2nd CWS appearance, basketball in the NCAA tourney and Elfrid Payton named the Lefty Driesell Defensive Player of the Year, and softball again a top 20 team that has been to the WCWS 8 times. We are just starting to achieve great things under our new President and the sky is the limit. Lafayette and Acadiana are starting to embrace the university and money is starting to pour in. We will exceed a $20M budget this year and growing. And all of this while still in the Sun Belt. We are not building to remain there.

You had me going until you started bashing Tulane for no reason. UL has a lot to be proud of without bashing other fine institutions. It's a sure sign of insecurity.

Only did it because of the constant bashing of UL by Savacool, a tool from Tulane. He even posted again on this thread. He posts the same negative dribble on every site.

They do have Olde Tyme Grocery which counts for a lot imo

(04-05-2014 02:21 PM)Kittonhead Wrote:  

(04-05-2014 12:39 PM)HeartOfDixie Wrote:  I believe the endowment stood at $130million here recently.

That is smaller than the endowment of Ohio's engineering school by itself.

So? It's a smaller school in a smaller state than Ohio. Comparing it to a regional school in Ohio isn't really of any use.

(04-05-2014 09:09 PM)OldGoldnBlue Wrote:  They do have Olde Tyme Grocery which counts for a lot imo

Ahhhhh! You know!......I cannot consider a return trip to my Hometown of Lafayette complete without lunch at Olde Tyme

(04-06-2014 12:22 PM)swampbear Wrote:  

(04-05-2014 09:09 PM)OldGoldnBlue Wrote:  They do have Olde Tyme Grocery which counts for a lot imo

Ahhhhh! You know!......I cannot consider a return trip to my Hometown of Lafayette complete without lunch at Olde Tyme

My best friend lives down there and I visit once a year. I was there last week. Crushed some Olde Tyme, Crawfish Time and Gator Cove. Thought the bugs at Gator Cove were better than Crawfish Time.

(04-06-2014 07:55 PM)OldGoldnBlue Wrote:  

(04-06-2014 12:22 PM)swampbear Wrote:  

(04-05-2014 09:09 PM)OldGoldnBlue Wrote:  They do have Olde Tyme Grocery which counts for a lot imo

Ahhhhh! You know!......I cannot consider a return trip to my Hometown of Lafayette complete without lunch at Olde Tyme

My best friend lives down there and I visit once a year. I was there last week. Crushed some Olde Tyme, Crawfish Time and Gator Cove. Thought the bugs at Gator Cove were better than Crawfish Time.

Gator Cove is always steady.....Crawfish Town USA just off of the Henderson exit East of Lafayette on I 10 is also good.