(12-18-2014 09:02 PM)GEAUX UL Wrote:  Hey guys. UL fan here and I'll try not to be an annoying conference pimper or trash talker.

Since the UAB situation arose I've been coming here to catch up on the conference expansion rumors because as you know us Cajun fans want out of the Sun Belt in the worst way. As far as I can tell 95% of the anti-UL crowd on this board is La Tech fans, which quite frankly doesn't surprise me. And most of what they've been saying is complete BS, which is why I felt compelled to post this. I'm not going to get into specifics but all I'm going to say is take anything they say with a grain of salt. We're not as bad as they say we are.

I will say a few things though. Whether or not you agree with the name thing or not, you at least have to sympathize with us. The same good ol' boy network that shut down UAB Football was the same good ol' boy network that fought against us after we LEGALLY changed our name to the The University of Louisiana back in the day. Some powerful politicians affiliated with one powerful state university (you can guess who I'm talking about) were able to use their political clout to make us change our name back to USL. And they did it for all the wrong reasons. The whole point of the name change (then and now) was to try and improve our university, not to bring other universities down. That's it. If you don't agree with what we're trying to achieve that's cool, just understand we're not the only university that drops the city tag. What makes us look different is the fact that we get so much push back from in-state schools because of it. For some reason Louisiana has this thing where universities like to fight tooth and nail to keep each other down. This is pretty evident if you look at all the opposition we get from La Tech fans who would give anything to keep us from getting into C-USA.

And about basketball. From 1957 to 2004 (47 years) we had a grand total of 5 losing seasons. In 2004 we averaged over 6,000 fans per game during conference play and had an RPI in the mid 30s. From 2005-2013 (9 years) we've had 5 losing seasons. In 2005 a coach named Robert Lee came along and demolished our program. We're finally starting to pull out of it under Coach Marlin. Last year we finished with an RPI of 92, which would have put us 4th in C-USA. I honestly think we have an even better team this year even though we lost our #10 NBA draft pick. Attendance is still down a bit, but that will no doubt improve -- especially if we make it into C-USA. If there's anything we CAN brag about here it's our ability to put butts in seats.

Again, I didn't come here to start crap with anyone. I'd love to call you all conference mates in the future. I know C-USA would be a great fit for us and I don't think there's any doubt we'd improve the quality of this conference in every single sport. I just hope the decision makers choose quality over market-size for a change.

So precious. I'm sure that this long post will increase UL-L's chances of achieving its dream of being in C-USA.

(12-18-2014 09:02 PM)GEAUX UL Wrote:  Hey guys. UL fan here and I'll try not to be an annoying conference pimper or trash talker.

Since the UAB situation arose I've been coming here to catch up on the conference expansion rumors because as you know us Cajun fans want out of the Sun Belt in the worst way. As far as I can tell 95% of the anti-UL crowd on this board is La Tech fans, which quite frankly doesn't surprise me. And most of what they've been saying is complete BS, which is why I felt compelled to post this. I'm not going to get into specifics but all I'm going to say is take anything they say with a grain of salt. We're not as bad as they say we are.

I will say a few things though. Whether or not you agree with the name thing or not, you at least have to sympathize with us. The same good ol' boy network that shut down UAB Football was the same good ol' boy network that fought against us after we LEGALLY changed our name to the The University of Louisiana back in the day. Some powerful politicians affiliated with one powerful state university (you can guess who I'm talking about) were able to use their political clout to make us change our name back to USL. And they did it for all the wrong reasons. The whole point of the name change (then and now) was to try and improve our university, not to bring other universities down. That's it. If you don't agree with what we're trying to achieve that's cool, just understand we're not the only university that drops the city tag. What makes us look different is the fact that we get so much push back from in-state schools because of it. For some reason Louisiana has this thing where universities like to fight tooth and nail to keep each other down. This is pretty evident if you look at all the opposition we get from La Tech fans who would give anything to keep us from getting into C-USA.

And about basketball. From 1957 to 2004 (47 years) we had a grand total of 5 losing seasons. In 2004 we averaged over 6,000 fans per game during conference play and had an RPI in the mid 30s. From 2005-2013 (9 years) we've had 5 losing seasons. In 2005 a coach named Robert Lee came along and demolished our program. We're finally starting to pull out of it under Coach Marlin. Last year we finished with an RPI of 92, which would have put us 4th in C-USA. I honestly think we have an even better team this year even though we lost our #10 NBA draft pick. Attendance is still down a bit, but that will no doubt improve -- especially if we make it into C-USA. If there's anything we CAN brag about here it's our ability to put butts in seats.

Again, I didn't come here to start crap with anyone. I'd love to call you all conference mates in the future. I know C-USA would be a great fit for us and I don't think there's any doubt we'd improve the quality of this conference in every single sport. I just hope the decision makers choose quality over market-size for a change.

I don't think LSU really cares about the ULL name deal now otherwise it would have already been handled. Most of your opposition comes from ULM and some of the other UL system schools concerning the name issue.

I can remember these same ULL fans hoping that the Sunbelt would not extend an invite to Tech when the WAC was falling apart so you can get off your high horse.

Why would Tech fans want ULL added anyway? Fans and message boards don't select schools for conferences anyway.

What you'll have done with your FB program over the last couple of years has been very impressive considering how bad it was in the past. Best of luck and I really think CUSA should stay at 13 for while and see what else happens.

(12-18-2014 10:00 PM)gostAte870 Wrote:  

(12-18-2014 09:02 PM)GEAUX UL Wrote:  Hey guys. UL fan here and I'll try not to be an annoying conference pimper or trash talker.

Since the UAB situation arose I've been coming here to catch up on the conference expansion rumors because as you know us Cajun fans want out of the Sun Belt in the worst way. As far as I can tell 95% of the anti-UL crowd on this board is La Tech fans, which quite frankly doesn't surprise me. And most of what they've been saying is complete BS, which is why I felt compelled to post this. I'm not going to get into specifics but all I'm going to say is take anything they say with a grain of salt. We're not as bad as they say we are.

I will say a few things though. Whether or not you agree with the name thing or not, you at least have to sympathize with us. The same good ol' boy network that shut down UAB Football was the same good ol' boy network that fought against us after we LEGALLY changed our name to the The University of Louisiana back in the day. Some powerful politicians affiliated with one powerful state university (you can guess who I'm talking about) were able to use their political clout to make us change our name back to USL. And they did it for all the wrong reasons. The whole point of the name change (then and now) was to try and improve our university, not to bring other universities down. That's it. If you don't agree with what we're trying to achieve that's cool, just understand we're not the only university that drops the city tag. What makes us look different is the fact that we get so much push back from in-state schools because of it. For some reason Louisiana has this thing where universities like to fight tooth and nail to keep each other down. This is pretty evident if you look at all the opposition we get from La Tech fans who would give anything to keep us from getting into C-USA.

And about basketball. From 1957 to 2004 (47 years) we had a grand total of 5 losing seasons. In 2004 we averaged over 6,000 fans per game during conference play and had an RPI in the mid 30s. From 2005-2013 (9 years) we've had 5 losing seasons. In 2005 a coach named Robert Lee came along and demolished our program. We're finally starting to pull out of it under Coach Marlin. Last year we finished with an RPI of 92, which would have put us 4th in C-USA. I honestly think we have an even better team this year even though we lost our #10 NBA draft pick. Attendance is still down a bit, but that will no doubt improve -- especially if we make it into C-USA. If there's anything we CAN brag about here it's our ability to put butts in seats.

Again, I didn't come here to start crap with anyone. I'd love to call you all conference mates in the future. I know C-USA would be a great fit for us and I don't think there's any doubt we'd improve the quality of this conference in every single sport. I just hope the decision makers choose quality over market-size for a change.

So precious. I'm sure that this long post will increase UL-L's chances of achieving its dream of being in C-USA.

Yep, I knew that all the C-USA presidents read this board before making decisions so I figured the only shot we had to get in was for me to write 4 paragraphs about our program. That's totally the reason why I posted here. You're so smart.

(12-18-2014 10:54 PM)GEAUX UL Wrote:  

(12-18-2014 10:00 PM)gostAte870 Wrote:  

(12-18-2014 09:02 PM)GEAUX UL Wrote:  Hey guys. UL fan here and I'll try not to be an annoying conference pimper or trash talker.

Since the UAB situation arose I've been coming here to catch up on the conference expansion rumors because as you know us Cajun fans want out of the Sun Belt in the worst way. As far as I can tell 95% of the anti-UL crowd on this board is La Tech fans, which quite frankly doesn't surprise me. And most of what they've been saying is complete BS, which is why I felt compelled to post this. I'm not going to get into specifics but all I'm going to say is take anything they say with a grain of salt. We're not as bad as they say we are.

I will say a few things though. Whether or not you agree with the name thing or not, you at least have to sympathize with us. The same good ol' boy network that shut down UAB Football was the same good ol' boy network that fought against us after we LEGALLY changed our name to the The University of Louisiana back in the day. Some powerful politicians affiliated with one powerful state university (you can guess who I'm talking about) were able to use their political clout to make us change our name back to USL. And they did it for all the wrong reasons. The whole point of the name change (then and now) was to try and improve our university, not to bring other universities down. That's it. If you don't agree with what we're trying to achieve that's cool, just understand we're not the only university that drops the city tag. What makes us look different is the fact that we get so much push back from in-state schools because of it. For some reason Louisiana has this thing where universities like to fight tooth and nail to keep each other down. This is pretty evident if you look at all the opposition we get from La Tech fans who would give anything to keep us from getting into C-USA.

And about basketball. From 1957 to 2004 (47 years) we had a grand total of 5 losing seasons. In 2004 we averaged over 6,000 fans per game during conference play and had an RPI in the mid 30s. From 2005-2013 (9 years) we've had 5 losing seasons. In 2005 a coach named Robert Lee came along and demolished our program. We're finally starting to pull out of it under Coach Marlin. Last year we finished with an RPI of 92, which would have put us 4th in C-USA. I honestly think we have an even better team this year even though we lost our #10 NBA draft pick. Attendance is still down a bit, but that will no doubt improve -- especially if we make it into C-USA. If there's anything we CAN brag about here it's our ability to put butts in seats.

Again, I didn't come here to start crap with anyone. I'd love to call you all conference mates in the future. I know C-USA would be a great fit for us and I don't think there's any doubt we'd improve the quality of this conference in every single sport. I just hope the decision makers choose quality over market-size for a change.

So precious. I'm sure that this long post will increase UL-L's chances of achieving its dream of being in C-USA.

Yep, I knew that all the C-USA presidents read this board before making decisions so I figured the only shot we had to get in was for me to write 4 paragraphs about our program. That's totally the reason why I posted here. You're so smart.

Thanks

(12-18-2014 09:57 PM)ODUsmitty Wrote:  Combine what has to be terrific football tailgates (love cajun food) with a college that actually invests in BB is alright in my book.

Multiple NAIA schools on that hoops schedule.

(12-18-2014 10:09 PM)winston70 Wrote:  

(12-18-2014 09:02 PM)GEAUX UL Wrote:  Hey guys. UL fan here and I'll try not to be an annoying conference pimper or trash talker.

Since the UAB situation arose I've been coming here to catch up on the conference expansion rumors because as you know us Cajun fans want out of the Sun Belt in the worst way. As far as I can tell 95% of the anti-UL crowd on this board is La Tech fans, which quite frankly doesn't surprise me. And most of what they've been saying is complete BS, which is why I felt compelled to post this. I'm not going to get into specifics but all I'm going to say is take anything they say with a grain of salt. We're not as bad as they say we are.

I will say a few things though. Whether or not you agree with the name thing or not, you at least have to sympathize with us. The same good ol' boy network that shut down UAB Football was the same good ol' boy network that fought against us after we LEGALLY changed our name to the The University of Louisiana back in the day. Some powerful politicians affiliated with one powerful state university (you can guess who I'm talking about) were able to use their political clout to make us change our name back to USL. And they did it for all the wrong reasons. The whole point of the name change (then and now) was to try and improve our university, not to bring other universities down. That's it. If you don't agree with what we're trying to achieve that's cool, just understand we're not the only university that drops the city tag. What makes us look different is the fact that we get so much push back from in-state schools because of it. For some reason Louisiana has this thing where universities like to fight tooth and nail to keep each other down. This is pretty evident if you look at all the opposition we get from La Tech fans who would give anything to keep us from getting into C-USA.

And about basketball. From 1957 to 2004 (47 years) we had a grand total of 5 losing seasons. In 2004 we averaged over 6,000 fans per game during conference play and had an RPI in the mid 30s. From 2005-2013 (9 years) we've had 5 losing seasons. In 2005 a coach named Robert Lee came along and demolished our program. We're finally starting to pull out of it under Coach Marlin. Last year we finished with an RPI of 92, which would have put us 4th in C-USA. I honestly think we have an even better team this year even though we lost our #10 NBA draft pick. Attendance is still down a bit, but that will no doubt improve -- especially if we make it into C-USA. If there's anything we CAN brag about here it's our ability to put butts in seats.

Again, I didn't come here to start crap with anyone. I'd love to call you all conference mates in the future. I know C-USA would be a great fit for us and I don't think there's any doubt we'd improve the quality of this conference in every single sport. I just hope the decision makers choose quality over market-size for a change.

I don't think LSU really cares about the ULL name deal now otherwise it would have already been handled. Most of your opposition comes from ULM and some of the other UL system schools concerning the name issue.

I can remember these same ULL fans hoping that the Sunbelt would not extend an invite to Tech when the WAC was falling apart so you can get off your high horse.

Why would Tech fans want ULL added anyway? Fans and message boards don't select schools for conferences anyway.

What you'll have done with your FB program over the last couple of years has been very impressive considering how bad it was in the past. Best of luck and I really think CUSA should stay at 13 for while and see what else happens.

First of all, LSU people were majorly involved in 1984 and in the later legislation on the issue, which declared that LSU could be the only flagship institution in Louisiana. Kinda odd that they'd include LSU in all this if LSU wasn't involved don't you think? They didn't want people to get the impression that there was another school equal to them in Louisiana. (I'm not saying we were.) You know how it works in this State.

And to answer your question, Tech would benefit by having a school that would boost the quality of their conference, and they would benefit from having a very strong in-state conference rivalry. Seems like a no-brainier to me.

I want ULL and or TX State to join if expansion does occur.

I imagine it will come down to whatever TV tells us is best. Whether that be an all sports add, UAB stays and a football add, UAB stays, 2 more hoops adds and a football add, etc.

(12-18-2014 10:00 PM)gostAte870 Wrote:  

(12-18-2014 09:02 PM)GEAUX UL Wrote:  Hey guys. UL fan here and I'll try not to be an annoying conference pimper or trash talker.

Since the UAB situation arose I've been coming here to catch up on the conference expansion rumors because as you know us Cajun fans want out of the Sun Belt in the worst way. As far as I can tell 95% of the anti-UL crowd on this board is La Tech fans, which quite frankly doesn't surprise me. And most of what they've been saying is complete BS, which is why I felt compelled to post this. I'm not going to get into specifics but all I'm going to say is take anything they say with a grain of salt. We're not as bad as they say we are.

I will say a few things though. Whether or not you agree with the name thing or not, you at least have to sympathize with us. The same good ol' boy network that shut down UAB Football was the same good ol' boy network that fought against us after we LEGALLY changed our name to the The University of Louisiana back in the day. Some powerful politicians affiliated with one powerful state university (you can guess who I'm talking about) were able to use their political clout to make us change our name back to USL. And they did it for all the wrong reasons. The whole point of the name change (then and now) was to try and improve our university, not to bring other universities down. That's it. If you don't agree with what we're trying to achieve that's cool, just understand we're not the only university that drops the city tag. What makes us look different is the fact that we get so much push back from in-state schools because of it. For some reason Louisiana has this thing where universities like to fight tooth and nail to keep each other down. This is pretty evident if you look at all the opposition we get from La Tech fans who would give anything to keep us from getting into C-USA.

And about basketball. From 1957 to 2004 (47 years) we had a grand total of 5 losing seasons. In 2004 we averaged over 6,000 fans per game during conference play and had an RPI in the mid 30s. From 2005-2013 (9 years) we've had 5 losing seasons. In 2005 a coach named Robert Lee came along and demolished our program. We're finally starting to pull out of it under Coach Marlin. Last year we finished with an RPI of 92, which would have put us 4th in C-USA. I honestly think we have an even better team this year even though we lost our #10 NBA draft pick. Attendance is still down a bit, but that will no doubt improve -- especially if we make it into C-USA. If there's anything we CAN brag about here it's our ability to put butts in seats.

Again, I didn't come here to start crap with anyone. I'd love to call you all conference mates in the future. I know C-USA would be a great fit for us and I don't think there's any doubt we'd improve the quality of this conference in every single sport. I just hope the decision makers choose quality over market-size for a change.

So precious. I'm sure that this long post will increase UL-L's chances of achieving its dream of being in C-USA.

To really understand the mindset of a Lafayette fan, you must spend some time in their city. I am in Lafayette on business every week, and I have come to the conclusion that at least 50% of the people that live there have never traveled outside of south Louisiana. They have no idea what goes on at other college campuses on game days. UL-L adds end zone bleacher seats to their football stadium, and now many of their fans are convinced that UL-L is poised for Big 12 membership. Those same fans are convinced that LSU administrators get up every morning just to plot the destruction of UL-L. LSU gets blamed for the fact that the media refers to the Cajuns as either UL-L, UL LAF, or Louisiana Lafayette 90% of the time. The UL-L name issue started in 1984. For thirty years UL-L fans have demanded that the networks, radio stations, and newspapers refer to the Cajuns as UL or Louisiana. For thirty years, those media outlets have not done so. Only a Lafayette fan could actually believe that LSU controls what these media outlets do.

(12-18-2014 07:22 PM)49erlew Wrote:  

(12-18-2014 06:05 PM)olliebaba Wrote:  Kill me now, please. Stay at 13 until we're saved by the Mountain West. Lady Natalicio, why did you reject the overtures? See what you did now?

When and if we leave for the MWC with Rice and UTSA you guys can add Enemas U. okay? And all those other startups that y'all are so enamored with.

Frankly, if you three are just going to sit around until you can be "rescued" by the MWC I'd just as soon give you the boot now. Treading water as an independent for a few years is better than playing all of these lowly startups, right?

I agree with your sentiment. It's silly for fans to put down their conference mates. Its fine to want to be elsewhere, Charlotte and ODU would rather be in the AAC, USM too, but the reality is that none of us are too good to be in C-USA. This is our athletic home right now. I hope our schools athletic department tries like hell to be the best it can be right here. If other opportunities for any of us come along then there is still no need to trash the conference.

(12-18-2014 07:22 PM)49erlew Wrote:  

(12-18-2014 06:05 PM)olliebaba Wrote:  Kill me now, please. Stay at 13 until we're saved by the Mountain West. Lady Natalicio, why did you reject the overtures? See what you did now?

When and if we leave for the MWC with Rice and UTSA you guys can add Enemas U. okay? And all those other startups that y'all are so enamored with.

Frankly, if you three are just going to sit around until you can be "rescued" by the MWC I'd just as soon give you the boot now. Treading water as an independent for a few years is better than playing all of these lowly startups, right?

I agree with your sentiment. It's silly for fans to put down their conference mates. Its fine to want to be elsewhere, Charlotte and ODU would rather be in the AAC, USM too, but the reality is that none of us are too good to be in C-USA. This is our athletic home right now. I hope our schools athletic department tries like hell to be the best it can be right here. If other opportunities for any of us come along then there is still no need to trash the conference.

(12-18-2014 09:02 PM)GEAUX UL Wrote:  Hey guys. UL fan here and I'll try not to be an annoying conference pimper or trash talker.

Since the UAB situation arose I've been coming here to catch up on the conference expansion rumors because as you know us Cajun fans want out of the Sun Belt in the worst way. As far as I can tell 95% of the anti-UL crowd on this board is La Tech fans, which quite frankly doesn't surprise me. And most of what they've been saying is complete BS, which is why I felt compelled to post this. I'm not going to get into specifics but all I'm going to say is take anything they say with a grain of salt. We're not as bad as they say we are.

I will say a few things though. Whether or not you agree with the name thing or not, you at least have to sympathize with us. The same good ol' boy network that shut down UAB Football was the same good ol' boy network that fought against us after we LEGALLY changed our name to the The University of Louisiana back in the day. Some powerful politicians affiliated with one powerful state university (you can guess who I'm talking about) were able to use their political clout to make us change our name back to USL. And they did it for all the wrong reasons. The whole point of the name change (then and now) was to try and improve our university, not to bring other universities down. That's it. If you don't agree with what we're trying to achieve that's cool, just understand we're not the only university that drops the city tag. What makes us look different is the fact that we get so much push back from in-state schools because of it. For some reason Louisiana has this thing where universities like to fight tooth and nail to keep each other down. This is pretty evident if you look at all the opposition we get from La Tech fans who would give anything to keep us from getting into C-USA.

And about basketball. From 1957 to 2004 (47 years) we had a grand total of 5 losing seasons. In 2004 we averaged over 6,000 fans per game during conference play and had an RPI in the mid 30s. From 2005-2013 (9 years) we've had 5 losing seasons. In 2005 a coach named Robert Lee came along and demolished our program. We're finally starting to pull out of it under Coach Marlin. Last year we finished with an RPI of 92, which would have put us 4th in C-USA. I honestly think we have an even better team this year even though we lost our #10 NBA draft pick. Attendance is still down a bit, but that will no doubt improve -- especially if we make it into C-USA. If there's anything we CAN brag about here it's our ability to put butts in seats.

Again, I didn't come here to start crap with anyone. I'd love to call you all conference mates in the future. I know C-USA would be a great fit for us and I don't think there's any doubt we'd improve the quality of this conference in every single sport. I just hope the .decision makers choose quality over market-size for a change.

I'm totally in favor of adding ULL to C-USA and I hope it happens this spring. Good fan support and facilities and location. The best result though would be for UAB to bring football back but I just don't think that's happening, at least for a while.

(12-19-2014 09:18 AM)MinerInWisconsin Wrote:  

(12-18-2014 07:22 PM)49erlew Wrote:  

(12-18-2014 06:05 PM)olliebaba Wrote:  Kill me now, please. Stay at 13 until we're saved by the Mountain West. Lady Natalicio, why did you reject the overtures? See what you did now?

When and if we leave for the MWC with Rice and UTSA you guys can add Enemas U. okay? And all those other startups that y'all are so enamored with.

Frankly, if you three are just going to sit around until you can be "rescued" by the MWC I'd just as soon give you the boot now. Treading water as an independent for a few years is better than playing all of these lowly startups, right?

I agree with your sentiment. It's silly for fans to put down their conference mates. Its fine to want to be elsewhere, Charlotte and ODU would rather be in the AAC, USM too, but the reality is that none of us are too good to be in C-USA. This is our athletic home right now. I hope our schools athletic department tries like hell to be the best it can be right here. If other opportunities for any of us come along then there is still no need to trash the conference.

Thanks.

In all honesty, It's not so much the AAC that I want. I'm very happy with most of our conference mates, and I am especially fond of the Northeastern segment of the conference.

What I really want is a geographically sound conference with members that at least pretend to invest in their basketball programs. They don't have to be winning programs, but they can't play in an empty box and be happy about it.

The thing that bothers me most about the state of the G5 is this: Take a look at the Sun Belt map. Then, the C-USA map. Finally, take a look at the AAC map. All three conferences have very similar footprints. Texas, gulf states, and up the Eastern seaboard.

It annoys me to no end that there are schools in both C-USA and the AAC that look down on the other schools in their area. It makes absolutely zero sense to me for three teams in North Carolina in three different conferences making three separate conference trips to Texas, and the same goes for those Texas teams and their return trips.

It makes too much since from a financial perspective - something that the vast majority of our members need to keep in mind in this landscape - to combine and re-divide. This is not an opinion that has grown out of any ill-will towards our Texas conference mates, but one that is built on pure pragmatism. Unfortunately, the Athletic Director at just about every one of us has an OllieBaba in their ear demanding that they continue to be too good to share a conference with [Insert team here].

(12-19-2014 09:44 AM)49erlew Wrote:  

(12-19-2014 09:18 AM)MinerInWisconsin Wrote:  

(12-18-2014 07:22 PM)49erlew Wrote:  

(12-18-2014 06:05 PM)olliebaba Wrote:  Kill me now, please. Stay at 13 until we're saved by the Mountain West. Lady Natalicio, why did you reject the overtures? See what you did now?

When and if we leave for the MWC with Rice and UTSA you guys can add Enemas U. okay? And all those other startups that y'all are so enamored with.

Frankly, if you three are just going to sit around until you can be "rescued" by the MWC I'd just as soon give you the boot now. Treading water as an independent for a few years is better than playing all of these lowly startups, right?

I agree with your sentiment. It's silly for fans to put down their conference mates. Its fine to want to be elsewhere, Charlotte and ODU would rather be in the AAC, USM too, but the reality is that none of us are too good to be in C-USA. This is our athletic home right now. I hope our schools athletic department tries like hell to be the best it can be right here. If other opportunities for any of us come along then there is still no need to trash the conference.

Thanks.

In all honesty, It's not so much the AAC that I want. I'm very happy with most of our conference mates, and I am especially fond of the Northeastern segment of the conference.

What I really want is a geographically sound conference with members that at least pretend to invest in their basketball programs. They don't have to be winning programs, but they can't play in an empty box and be happy about it.

The thing that bothers me most about the state of the G5 is this: Take a look at the Sun Belt map. Then, the C-USA map. Finally, take a look at the AAC map. All three conferences have very similar footprints. Texas, gulf states, and up the Eastern seaboard.

It annoys me to no end that there are schools in both C-USA and the AAC that look down on the other schools in their area. It makes absolutely zero sense to me for three teams in North Carolina in three different conferences making three separate conference trips to Texas, and the same goes for those Texas teams and their return trips.

It makes too much since from a financial perspective - something that the vast majority of our members need to keep in mind in this landscape - to combine and re-divide. This is not an opinion that has grown out of any ill-will towards our Texas conference mates, but one that is built on pure pragmatism. Unfortunately, the Athletic Director at just about every one of us has an OllieBaba in their ear demanding that they continue to be too good to share a conference with [Insert team here].

I am in agreement with this. Unfortunately, television rights are holding these jalopies together. I am very happy with both sides of the conference, and have good feelings about almost everyone in CUSA. I'm also in agreement that schools need to invest more in basketball in this conference. If we have to add someone else my eyes are on Texas State. If you haven't been to San Marcos, you don't know. I haven't really seen UTSA posters against this, they are pretty heavy rivals if I'm not mistaken. That said, I would change my mind if TX State was invited in without some kind of guarantee that they would invest more heavily in basketball.

BTW Lewis, we are facebook friends, I think. From another message board several years ago.

(12-19-2014 07:37 AM)BRtransplant Wrote:  

(12-18-2014 10:00 PM)gostAte870 Wrote:  

(12-18-2014 09:02 PM)GEAUX UL Wrote:  Hey guys. UL fan here and I'll try not to be an annoying conference pimper or trash talker.

Since the UAB situation arose I've been coming here to catch up on the conference expansion rumors because as you know us Cajun fans want out of the Sun Belt in the worst way. As far as I can tell 95% of the anti-UL crowd on this board is La Tech fans, which quite frankly doesn't surprise me. And most of what they've been saying is complete BS, which is why I felt compelled to post this. I'm not going to get into specifics but all I'm going to say is take anything they say with a grain of salt. We're not as bad as they say we are.

I will say a few things though. Whether or not you agree with the name thing or not, you at least have to sympathize with us. The same good ol' boy network that shut down UAB Football was the same good ol' boy network that fought against us after we LEGALLY changed our name to the The University of Louisiana back in the day. Some powerful politicians affiliated with one powerful state university (you can guess who I'm talking about) were able to use their political clout to make us change our name back to USL. And they did it for all the wrong reasons. The whole point of the name change (then and now) was to try and improve our university, not to bring other universities down. That's it. If you don't agree with what we're trying to achieve that's cool, just understand we're not the only university that drops the city tag. What makes us look different is the fact that we get so much push back from in-state schools because of it. For some reason Louisiana has this thing where universities like to fight tooth and nail to keep each other down. This is pretty evident if you look at all the opposition we get from La Tech fans who would give anything to keep us from getting into C-USA.

And about basketball. From 1957 to 2004 (47 years) we had a grand total of 5 losing seasons. In 2004 we averaged over 6,000 fans per game during conference play and had an RPI in the mid 30s. From 2005-2013 (9 years) we've had 5 losing seasons. In 2005 a coach named Robert Lee came along and demolished our program. We're finally starting to pull out of it under Coach Marlin. Last year we finished with an RPI of 92, which would have put us 4th in C-USA. I honestly think we have an even better team this year even though we lost our #10 NBA draft pick. Attendance is still down a bit, but that will no doubt improve -- especially if we make it into C-USA. If there's anything we CAN brag about here it's our ability to put butts in seats.

Again, I didn't come here to start crap with anyone. I'd love to call you all conference mates in the future. I know C-USA would be a great fit for us and I don't think there's any doubt we'd improve the quality of this conference in every single sport. I just hope the decision makers choose quality over market-size for a change.

So precious. I'm sure that this long post will increase UL-L's chances of achieving its dream of being in C-USA.

To really understand the mindset of a Lafayette fan, you must spend some time in their city. I am in Lafayette on business every week, and I have come to the conclusion that at least 50% of the people that live there have never traveled outside of south Louisiana. They have no idea what goes on at other college campuses on game days. UL-L adds end zone bleacher seats to their football stadium, and now many of their fans are convinced that UL-L is poised for Big 12 membership. Those same fans are convinced that LSU administrators get up every morning just to plot the destruction of UL-L. LSU gets blamed for the fact that the media refers to the Cajuns as either UL-L, UL LAF, or Louisiana Lafayette 90% of the time. The UL-L name issue started in 1984. For thirty years UL-L fans have demanded that the networks, radio stations, and newspapers refer to the Cajuns as UL or Louisiana. For thirty years, those media outlets have not done so. Only a Lafayette fan could actually believe that LSU controls what these media outlets do.

1. The lsu administrators don't have to get every morning and plot....they have already done what is necessary to keep us in 'our place,' at least name-wise.
2. My favorite part of Geaux's post was when he said that all we are trying to do is be the best that we can be. It has nothing to do with any other school. I cannot imagine why in the world this upsets the other schools, but it is extremly petty and downright shameful. But not to worry too much, as we are progressing in spite of all these obstacles and will continue to do do int he future.
3. Since LFT City/Parish is ~250K, I am very curious as to what methology you have used to make your sweeping proclamation that 'at least 50% of the people that live there have never traveled outside of south Louisiana. They have no idea what goes on at other college campuses on game days.' I am sure it was a very scientific study, and one you can easily share with us. The same thing can also be said about all the other very intelligent generalizations you have made in your post.
Happy Holidays everyone!

(12-19-2014 09:44 AM)49erlew Wrote:  It annoys me to no end that there are schools in both C-USA and the AAC that look down on the other schools in their area. It makes absolutely zero sense to me for three teams in North Carolina in three different conferences making three separate conference trips to Texas, and the same goes for those Texas teams and their return trips.

But the nice geographic league is not what the AAC teams want. It wasn't what C-USA teams wanted until that vote in 2011 pulled C-USA out of the MWC alliance talks. They had a good TV deal and good bowls doing it their way. The teams had been together for a long time. But they flipped the switch in 2011 and within a year, 1/2 the league (more actually) was new.
If C-USA actually wants to go to 16, then they should just merge with the sunbelt and divide the leagues at the La/Miss border or thereabouts.
Too bad the WAC was let go as a football league. They could use it as a vehicle to regionalize. 10/12 team regional leagues would work better than 16 team leagues.
On the other hand, its absence precludes some sort of airport meeting.

(12-18-2014 06:05 PM)olliebaba Wrote:  Kill me now, please. Stay at 13 until we're saved by the Mountain West. Lady Natalicio, why did you reject the overtures? See what you did now?

When and if we leave for the MWC with Rice and UTSA you guys can add Enemas U. okay? And all those other startups that y'all are so enamored with.

If other schools in this conference is holding UTEP back...


what was your excuse the past 20+ years UTEP has not won a NCAA Tourney game? Some fans need to blame others for their lack of Getting it done. Always has to be a excuse when most of the time...the problems in your own back yard, not your neighbors

(12-19-2014 10:03 AM)papa_dawg Wrote:  

(12-19-2014 09:44 AM)49erlew Wrote:  

(12-19-2014 09:18 AM)MinerInWisconsin Wrote:  

(12-18-2014 07:22 PM)49erlew Wrote:  

(12-18-2014 06:05 PM)olliebaba Wrote:  Kill me now, please. Stay at 13 until we're saved by the Mountain West. Lady Natalicio, why did you reject the overtures? See what you did now?

When and if we leave for the MWC with Rice and UTSA you guys can add Enemas U. okay? And all those other startups that y'all are so enamored with.

Frankly, if you three are just going to sit around until you can be "rescued" by the MWC I'd just as soon give you the boot now. Treading water as an independent for a few years is better than playing all of these lowly startups, right?

I agree with your sentiment. It's silly for fans to put down their conference mates. Its fine to want to be elsewhere, Charlotte and ODU would rather be in the AAC, USM too, but the reality is that none of us are too good to be in C-USA. This is our athletic home right now. I hope our schools athletic department tries like hell to be the best it can be right here. If other opportunities for any of us come along then there is still no need to trash the conference.

Thanks.

In all honesty, It's not so much the AAC that I want. I'm very happy with most of our conference mates, and I am especially fond of the Northeastern segment of the conference.

What I really want is a geographically sound conference with members that at least pretend to invest in their basketball programs. They don't have to be winning programs, but they can't play in an empty box and be happy about it.

The thing that bothers me most about the state of the G5 is this: Take a look at the Sun Belt map. Then, the C-USA map. Finally, take a look at the AAC map. All three conferences have very similar footprints. Texas, gulf states, and up the Eastern seaboard.

It annoys me to no end that there are schools in both C-USA and the AAC that look down on the other schools in their area. It makes absolutely zero sense to me for three teams in North Carolina in three different conferences making three separate conference trips to Texas, and the same goes for those Texas teams and their return trips.

It makes too much since from a financial perspective - something that the vast majority of our members need to keep in mind in this landscape - to combine and re-divide. This is not an opinion that has grown out of any ill-will towards our Texas conference mates, but one that is built on pure pragmatism. Unfortunately, the Athletic Director at just about every one of us has an OllieBaba in their ear demanding that they continue to be too good to share a conference with [Insert team here].

I am in agreement with this. Unfortunately, television rights are holding these jalopies together. I am very happy with both sides of the conference, and have good feelings about almost everyone in CUSA. I'm also in agreement that schools need to invest more in basketball in this conference. If we have to add someone else my eyes are on Texas State. If you haven't been to San Marcos, you don't know. I haven't really seen UTSA posters against this, they are pretty heavy rivals if I'm not mistaken. That said, I would change my mind if TX State was invited in without some kind of guarantee that they would invest more heavily in basketball.

BTW Lewis, we are facebook friends, I think. From another message board several years ago.

I'm not sure what you're talking about, sir.

My name is Landry Elliott Winchester. Who is this "Lewis" character?

(12-19-2014 10:59 AM)HamiltonJames Wrote:  

(12-19-2014 09:44 AM)49erlew Wrote:  It annoys me to no end that there are schools in both C-USA and the AAC that look down on the other schools in their area. It makes absolutely zero sense to me for three teams in North Carolina in three different conferences making three separate conference trips to Texas, and the same goes for those Texas teams and their return trips.

But the nice geographic league is not what the AAC teams want. It wasn't what C-USA teams wanted until that vote in 2011 pulled C-USA out of the MWC alliance talks. They had a good TV deal and good bowls doing it their way. The teams had been together for a long time. But they flipped the switch in 2011 and within a year, 1/2 the league (more actually) was new.
If C-USA actually wants to go to 16, then they should just merge with the sunbelt and divide the leagues at the La/Miss border or thereabouts.
Too bad the WAC was let go as a football league. They could use it as a vehicle to regionalize. 10/12 team regional leagues would work better than 16 team leagues.
On the other hand, its absence precludes some sort of airport meeting.

Presidents make these decisions and ultimately they are all jockeying for a conferences they "think" they belong in academically.

(12-19-2014 10:45 AM)VermilionWhite Wrote:  

(12-19-2014 07:37 AM)BRtransplant Wrote:  

(12-18-2014 10:00 PM)gostAte870 Wrote:  

(12-18-2014 09:02 PM)GEAUX UL Wrote:  Hey guys. UL fan here and I'll try not to be an annoying conference pimper or trash talker.

Since the UAB situation arose I've been coming here to catch up on the conference expansion rumors because as you know us Cajun fans want out of the Sun Belt in the worst way. As far as I can tell 95% of the anti-UL crowd on this board is La Tech fans, which quite frankly doesn't surprise me. And most of what they've been saying is complete BS, which is why I felt compelled to post this. I'm not going to get into specifics but all I'm going to say is take anything they say with a grain of salt. We're not as bad as they say we are.

I will say a few things though. Whether or not you agree with the name thing or not, you at least have to sympathize with us. The same good ol' boy network that shut down UAB Football was the same good ol' boy network that fought against us after we LEGALLY changed our name to the The University of Louisiana back in the day. Some powerful politicians affiliated with one powerful state university (you can guess who I'm talking about) were able to use their political clout to make us change our name back to USL. And they did it for all the wrong reasons. The whole point of the name change (then and now) was to try and improve our university, not to bring other universities down. That's it. If you don't agree with what we're trying to achieve that's cool, just understand we're not the only university that drops the city tag. What makes us look different is the fact that we get so much push back from in-state schools because of it. For some reason Louisiana has this thing where universities like to fight tooth and nail to keep each other down. This is pretty evident if you look at all the opposition we get from La Tech fans who would give anything to keep us from getting into C-USA.

And about basketball. From 1957 to 2004 (47 years) we had a grand total of 5 losing seasons. In 2004 we averaged over 6,000 fans per game during conference play and had an RPI in the mid 30s. From 2005-2013 (9 years) we've had 5 losing seasons. In 2005 a coach named Robert Lee came along and demolished our program. We're finally starting to pull out of it under Coach Marlin. Last year we finished with an RPI of 92, which would have put us 4th in C-USA. I honestly think we have an even better team this year even though we lost our #10 NBA draft pick. Attendance is still down a bit, but that will no doubt improve -- especially if we make it into C-USA. If there's anything we CAN brag about here it's our ability to put butts in seats.

Again, I didn't come here to start crap with anyone. I'd love to call you all conference mates in the future. I know C-USA would be a great fit for us and I don't think there's any doubt we'd improve the quality of this conference in every single sport. I just hope the decision makers choose quality over market-size for a change.

So precious. I'm sure that this long post will increase UL-L's chances of achieving its dream of being in C-USA.

To really understand the mindset of a Lafayette fan, you must spend some time in their city. I am in Lafayette on business every week, and I have come to the conclusion that at least 50% of the people that live there have never traveled outside of south Louisiana. They have no idea what goes on at other college campuses on game days. UL-L adds end zone bleacher seats to their football stadium, and now many of their fans are convinced that UL-L is poised for Big 12 membership. Those same fans are convinced that LSU administrators get up every morning just to plot the destruction of UL-L. LSU gets blamed for the fact that the media refers to the Cajuns as either UL-L, UL LAF, or Louisiana Lafayette 90% of the time. The UL-L name issue started in 1984. For thirty years UL-L fans have demanded that the networks, radio stations, and newspapers refer to the Cajuns as UL or Louisiana. For thirty years, those media outlets have not done so. Only a Lafayette fan could actually believe that LSU controls what these media outlets do.

1. The lsu administrators don't have to get every morning and plot....they have already done what is necessary to keep us in 'our place,' at least name-wise.
2. My favorite part of Geaux's post was when he said that all we are trying to do is be the best that we can be. It has nothing to do with any other school. I cannot imagine why in the world this upsets the other schools, but it is extremly petty and downright shameful. But not to worry too much, as we are progressing in spite of all these obstacles and will continue to do do int he future.
3. Since LFT City/Parish is ~250K, I am very curious as to what methology you have used to make your sweeping proclamation that 'at least 50% of the people that live there have never traveled outside of south Louisiana. They have no idea what goes on at other college campuses on game days.' I am sure it was a very scientific study, and one you can easily share with us. The same thing can also be said about all the other very intelligent generalizations you have made in your post.
Happy Holidays everyone!

I would have no problem with this if LA Tech was not in the UL System. Since everyone but Southern and LSU are in the UL System, y'all going by UL makes us all look like your satellite schools. You know that is the problem everyone has, so it is disingenuous to act like we are being petty. Ask yourself if campaigned to call our system the Louisiana Tech System and you were part of it, how would you feel? Now, if you want to work with us to create a fourth system (LSU, Southern, UL, and LA Tech) and we split the rest of the UL schools between us, then I think you would get a lot of LA Tech support. But this is not a Tech vs. ULL thing. It is an every school in the state of Louisiana vs. ULL thing for the reasons stated above.