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Post by purplestorm on Sept 18, 2014 17:21:09 GMT
Tulane's stadium, pound-for-pound, is the nicest stadium in the state of Louisiana. Of course, to be fair, it's brand new.
ULL is averaging 30k in attendance in two games and I do understand there are plans to boost the seating capacity somewhere around 50k.
In the end, and after reading some from Bulldog Barfs and Bytes, all the fan forum "phallic measuring" contests amongst in-state brethren is simply fun fodder and really matters not. We can falsely build ourselves up over our rival siblings with comparisons of wins and losses, seating capacity or various types of degrees boasted in one town or another, but when it's all said and done, there is only one GIANT in the state and that is LSU. Everyone else is more alike than not and sitting in the same boat rowing with one paddle underneath the long-stretching purple and gold shadow. So, for those trying to buck that fact ... good luck. You're going to need it. That's why I love NSU. No delusional thinking. We just do well with what we have. Very well.
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Post by friscodog on Sept 19, 2014 0:36:15 GMT
Tulane's stadium, pound-for-pound, is the nicest stadium in the state of Louisiana. Of course, to be fair, it's brand new. ULL is averaging 30k in attendance in two games and I do understand there are plans to boost the seating capacity somewhere around 50k. In the end, and after reading some from Bulldog Barfs and Bytes, all the fan forum "phallic measuring" contests amongst in-state brethren is simply fun fodder and really matters not. We can falsely build ourselves up over our rival siblings with comparisons of wins and losses, seating capacity or various types of degrees boasted in one town or another, but when it's all said and done, there is only one GIANT in the state and that is LSU. Everyone else is more alike than not and sitting in the same boat rowing with one paddle underneath the long-stretching purple and gold shadow. So, for those trying to buck that fact ... good luck. You're going to need it. That's why I love NSU. No delusional thinking. We just do well with what we have. Very well. Purplestorm. I can't speak for the Southern game in Laffy, but the announced attendance at the Tech game was just over 20K, which means in reality it was probably closer to 18K. ULL has a very bandwagon fan base. After losing to Tech, Ole Miss, assuming loss to Boise St, they will be lucky to get 15-18K for their next home game.
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Post by purplestorm on Sept 19, 2014 1:17:39 GMT
I think that is a pretty fair assessment, Friscodog. I don't see Cajuns beating Boise and I do see their attendance suffering because of it. I just know guys here in Baton Rouge -- former LSU players -- that are friends with a ULL board member and he says they are pretty serious about a 50k (or thereabout) seat stadium. Now, can they sustain it? I don't know. It would be tough. The advantage they have is they are in the middle of a metro area upwards of 500k people and a thriving oil and gas industry. The disadvantage they have is they are only 50 miles from LSU, drawing 100k plus, one direction and 75 miles from McNeese, drawing 15k, the other direction. This is just my humble opinion, but when this is all said and done ... somewhere down the road ... ten years or 50 years, the experiment of trying to be "like" LSU (FBS) is going to be deemed a failure for every team in the state that has attempted the experiment.
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Post by CajunFan on Sept 19, 2014 15:41:10 GMT
Attendance for Latex game was announced as a bit over 25K. And we always seem to underreport. Many people report not having their tics scanned, just waved through the gate. Don't let some of those Tech clowns fool you. We are building slowly. We had over 35k for Southern and were expecting about 42k but 35 isnt bad in the rain! Someone in another thread said something about Northwestern doing a lot with a little and I have to agree. I didn't get a degree from NSU (UL grad) but do have a few credit hours and thoroughly enjoyed my time at the school and in the city. We would love to have the Demons visit Cajun field. I imagine the fans would be as classy as the few thousand Southern fans that came for the opener. Great fans of a great program. Good luck to NSU. Tulane's stadium, pound-for-pound, is the nicest stadium in the state of Louisiana. Of course, to be fair, it's brand new. ULL is averaging 30k in attendance in two games and I do understand there are plans to boost the seating capacity somewhere around 50k. In the end, and after reading some from Bulldog Barfs and Bytes, all the fan forum "phallic measuring" contests amongst in-state brethren is simply fun fodder and really matters not. We can falsely build ourselves up over our rival siblings with comparisons of wins and losses, seating capacity or various types of degrees boasted in one town or another, but when it's all said and done, there is only one GIANT in the state and that is LSU. Everyone else is more alike than not and sitting in the same boat rowing with one paddle underneath the long-stretching purple and gold shadow. So, for those trying to buck that fact ... good luck. You're going to need it. That's why I love NSU. No delusional thinking. We just do well with what we have. Very well. Purplestorm. I can't speak for the Southern game in Laffy, but the announced attendance at the Tech game was just over 20K, which means in reality it was probably closer to 18K. ULL has a very bandwagon fan base. After losing to Tech, Ole Miss, assuming loss to Boise St, they will be lucky to get 15-18K for their next home game.
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Post by friscodog on Sept 19, 2014 21:49:23 GMT
I think that is a pretty fair assessment, Friscodog. I don't see Cajuns beating Boise and I do see their attendance suffering because of it. I just know guys here in Baton Rouge -- former LSU players -- that are friends with a ULL board member and he says they are pretty serious about a 50k (or thereabout) seat stadium. Now, can they sustain it? I don't know. It would be tough. The advantage they have is they are in the middle of a metro area upwards of 500k people and a thriving oil and gas industry. The disadvantage they have is they are only 50 miles from LSU, drawing 100k plus, one direction and 75 miles from McNeese, drawing 15k, the other direction. This is just my humble opinion, but when this is all said and done ... somewhere down the road ... ten years or 50 years, the experiment of trying to be "like" LSU (FBS) is going to be deemed a failure for every team in the state that has attempted the experiment. Honestly the root of the cause IMO for all of FBS trying to be like LSU is that Louisiana has way too many 4-year institutions for the population base. The Louisiana legislature back in the Huey Long era and even through today put in motion the legislation to ensure LSU's success and funding. We are all left scrambling for the "left overs" and there is not enough to go around to everyone. I look at MS and AL, they both have populations similar to LA but they have 2-3 major universities in the state. Louisiana could do something similar, but it would require making some 4 year universities into 2 year or consolidating them which I don't think anyone has the appetite to fight that battle.
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Post by purplestorm on Sept 20, 2014 1:26:10 GMT
Alabama has five FBS programs -- Bama, Auburn, Troy, UAB and South Alabama -- and four FCS programs -- Samford, Jacksonville State, Alabama State and Alabama A&M. They also have two top tier D2 programs in North Alabama and West Alabama. So, they are very similar to us. Mississippi has about 60 percent the population we have and has three FCS programs -- Ole Miss, Mississippi State and Southern Mississippi and several FCS and D2 schools -- Miss Valley State, Alcorn State, Jackson State, Delta State and about eight JUCOs. So, they really have as much pressure as we do, too. Georgia has twice the population of Louisiana and has only four FBS programs -- UGA, Ga Tech, Ga State and Ga Southern -- and a handful of FCS and D2 programs -- Savannah State, Fort Valley State, West Georgia and Valdosta State. So, there is a population advantage there. Tennessee has 50 percent more population than we do and they have four FBS programs -- Memphis, Middle Tennessee State, Vanderbilt and Tennessee -- five FCS programs -- Tenn-Martin, Austin Peay, Tenn State, Chattanooga and Tenn Tech. Tennessee also has several D2 and D3 programs, as well. So, they may be a bit better off than us, but not by much.
Now, when discussing closing institutions in Louisiana, it is just a dream had by the ULM's, ULL's and La Tech's of the world. Why? Because the first two that should be closed -- simply based on performance and proper handling of funds -- would cause such an uproar that the battle wouldn't be worth it.
Now, let me finish before you think I'm against La Tech, ULM and ULL. I'm not against any state university. I pull for all state schools when I can. However, if we wanted to get REAL in this state, geographically, there is really no need for two four year universities 30 miles apart in Monroe and Ruston. There is no need for two four year institutions -- SLU and Nicholls -- just outside LSU in Baton Rouge and UNO in New Orleans. NSU is uniquely placed between Shreveport/Bossier (same distance as La Tech) and Alexandria/Pineville, servicing both markets, the rest of Louisiana and parts of Texas. McNeese serves the Lake Charles area, ULL the Lafayette area and both decent size markets.
In the end, we all have what we have. I have had thoughts that if times got REALLY hard (I hope and pray they don't), NSU/ULM and La Tech could join forces, McNeese and ULL could join forces and SLU/UNO and Nicholls could join forces. The three realigned entities could be called The University of North Louisiana, University of South Louisiana and University of New Orleans. Athletic logistics could be easily worked out as there are facilities at every venue. Some better than others.
With all that being said, that proposal or one like it would NEVER work. No matter how bad it gets. No one wants to give up what they've always known and since those other two poorly run institutions would NEVER be closed, the political arena will just force everyone to work with what they have.
Finally, just a note to those who think NSU should be closed ... Whoa Nelly!!! Hold your horses because we're one of, if not THE most efficiently run campuses in the State of Louisiana and it's about to get a lot better. Bad news for those wishing us doom ... and there are many.
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Post by friscodog on Sept 20, 2014 2:31:04 GMT
Purplestorm agree with everything you said. I too am not againt Northwestern, in fact, I had hoped my daughter had gone there because of your nursing program. Had couple former high school friends graduate from NWSU in nursing. Love the town, people, food etc.
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Post by purplestorm on Sept 20, 2014 2:46:08 GMT
I think La Tech is an excellent institution, as well. It will take a Governor with some intestinal fortitude and thick skin to foment change in that arena, though. One who is there for four or eight years to make the best decisions for the state, no matter who it affects, and ignore the fragile and sometimes delusional entity known as "the political arena."
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Post by Cajundemon11 on Sept 20, 2014 3:42:30 GMT
I think that is a pretty fair assessment, Friscodog. I don't see Cajuns beating Boise and I do see their attendance suffering because of it. I just know guys here in Baton Rouge -- former LSU players -- that are friends with a ULL board member and he says they are pretty serious about a 50k (or thereabout) seat stadium. Now, can they sustain it? I don't know. It would be tough. The advantage they have is they are in the middle of a metro area upwards of 500k people and a thriving oil and gas industry. The disadvantage they have is they are only 50 miles from LSU, drawing 100k plus, one direction and 75 miles from McNeese, drawing 15k, the other direction. This is just my humble opinion, but when this is all said and done ... somewhere down the road ... ten years or 50 years, the experiment of trying to be "like" LSU (FBS) is going to be deemed a failure for every team in the state that has attempted the experiment. Honestly the root of the cause IMO for all of FBS trying to be like LSU is that Louisiana has way too many 4-year institutions for the population base. The Louisiana legislature back in the Huey Long era and even through today put in motion the legislation to ensure LSU's success and funding. We are all left scrambling for the "left overs" and there is not enough to go around to everyone. I look at MS and AL, they both have populations similar to LA but they have 2-3 major universities in the state. Louisiana could do something similar, but it would require making some 4 year universities into 2 year or consolidating them which I don't think anyone has the appetite to fight that battle. You hit the nail on the head with this post. Way too many 4 year institutions for a state the size and population of Louisiana. Are LSU-A, LSU-S, and Southern-Shreveport really needed? I'm asking, because I don't live in the state anymore and I don't know, just seems excessive from my POV.
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Post by TrackDemon on Sept 20, 2014 10:06:11 GMT
Of the schools in the state with the most upside potential I see NSU, McNeese, La Tech and Tulane.
NSU - benefit of having a well run athletic department. The team despite being in the middle of one of the worst droughts in program history is still getting pretty good support. I see no reason why the Demons can't turn things around and get back to 1998-2002 levels of play.
McNeese- Great fan base that has tremendous support. Probably the best winning tradition of anyone not named LSU in Louisiana. Have everything in place to become an FCS power again, just have to get everyone on board.
Tulane - They know their place in college athletics and as a result built the nicest stadium in Louisiana. The stadium is simply awesome and I say that from first hand experience. They are finally getting support as the stadium has been packed for the first two games. If they can start landing some better recruits there is no reason they can't become a legit mid-major force like Cincinnati, Boise or TCU.
La Tech - Possibly the most passionate fan base in Louisiana. Really good tradition and in a good location. Facilities have been improved. Leadership has held them back. If they get the pieces together the new CUSA is ripe for the taking.
In fairness, why I didn't choose the others.
Nicholls - lack of support and lack of leadership. Lot's of things to fix.
ULL - I admire what they have accomplished. They have done well and as a result have a great deal of success. I have nothing but respect for ULL and what they have built. BUT, in my opinion their attitude kills them. The name issue, for one, is just silly and does them no favors. They need to build a more loyal fan base. No reason the LaTech game shouldn't have been packed and there were a lot of empty seats in Lafayette. I think they may have hit their peak. (Could be wrong though)
SLU - Need to build support to have higher sustained success. A lot of their success has come from gaining transfers. That story has been done before and most programs who build through transfers have short term success. Still, I do respect how much they have built their program since bringing it back.
ULM - Program has had arguably more big "name" wins than anyone else (Alabama, Wake Forest, Arkansas). Yet, the ULM community doesn't seem to totally embrace them being FBS. They still struggle with support and have yet to turn the hump to really make strides to hitting the next level.
La College - They are competitive but really don't have the resources to compete with the big dogs. Still, nice stadium in Pineville, even if it isn't finished.
Southern and Grambling are politically untouchable and the SWAC appears to either not care, notice or know how to fix the fact that the SWAC become less competitive and less relevant each year. Sad to see how far some of the once great programs have fallen.
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Post by pruitt1997 on Sept 21, 2014 3:47:51 GMT
Please keep in mind that LSU no longer is a commuter school for Baton Rouge students. The move to a selective enrollment system is forcing many of Baton Rouge Metro students to go to school in Hammond and Lafayette. If LSU only allows the elite of Louisiana students in, they can charge all those out of state students higher fees! I don't see why LSU-Alexandria is a four year school at all. I sat in the Break Room in Kinder watching a Black Lady studying and she said she was going to LSU-A. I could never understand why. LSU-Eunice was right down the road and I had lots of Kinder students in my classes when I went to McNeese. With Jindal cutting $700 million in funds since he has been in office, all the colleges and universities in Louisiana are hurting. pruitt1997
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