New Orleans Bowl executive director Billy Ferrante said Tuesday that more than 46,000 tickets for Saturday already have been distributed.

"I'm hoping that we can get to 50 (50,000)," he said. "I think it's realistic. Certainly within sight."

There will be electricity in the building Saturday morning.

Z

Honest question: Why can't you get that many to a home game?

I ask because there was a Tech fan at the ULM fan forum who bragged that his school can always be counted on for putting 40,000 in Independence Stadium because of the large Tech alumni base in Shreveport. So I asked, "why can't you get all those folks to a game in Ruston where your biggest ever crowd is just over 25,000."

And don't get on to ULM here. That's not the question. We've already sold more tickets to our bowl than Florida State has for the Orange Bowl (NIU doesn't seem to be exciting anyone). And more than Toledo, Nevada, Purdue, Minnesota, Michigan State, and Nebraska have for their games. We're doing just fine.

(12-19-2012 07:23 PM)SOT1977 Wrote:  Honest question: Why can't you get that many to a home game?

I ask because there was a Tech fan at the ULM fan forum who bragged that his school can always be counted on for putting 40,000 in Independence Stadium because of the large Tech alumni base in Shreveport. So I asked, "why can't you get all those folks to a game in Ruston where your biggest ever crowd is just over 25,000."

And don't get on to ULM here. That's not the question. We've already sold more tickets to our bowl than Florida State has for the Orange Bowl (NIU doesn't seem to be exciting anyone). And more than Toledo, Nevada, Purdue, Minnesota, Michigan State, and Nebraska have for their games. We're doing just fine.

Honest answer. We had a President for 30 years who made it his business to kill athletics. He was assisted by a VP who considered the University [especially athletics] to be his own personal political favor machine. As a result, many of our alums either never developed an affinity for UL athletics, or they became disillusioned.

We are slowly starting to get some of these fans back; at least to the extent of going to something as high profile as a bowl game in New Orleans. Also, NO is home to our largest alumni base outside of Lafayette.
The most [our fans only] we have ever had at home is probably around 30K. If we continue to put a good product on the field, I expect that number to approach 40K within 5 years.

Nice congrats! Atleast 38k of those are UL fans.... More will buy tickets at the gates.

Easily 40k Cajun fans there in my opinion.

(12-19-2012 07:23 PM)SOT1977 Wrote:  Honest question: Why can't you get that many to a home game?

I ask because there was a Tech fan at the ULM fan forum who bragged that his school can always be counted on for putting 40,000 in Independence Stadium because of the large Tech alumni base in Shreveport. So I asked, "why can't you get all those folks to a game in Ruston where your biggest ever crowd is just over 25,000."

And don't get on to ULM here. That's not the question. We've already sold more tickets to our bowl than Florida State has for the Orange Bowl (NIU doesn't seem to be exciting anyone). And more than Toledo, Nevada, Purdue, Minnesota, Michigan State, and Nebraska have for their games. We're doing just fine.

SOT, legit question..I believe VO answered it perfectly.. Lets be clear.. Cajuns have sold through the University about 22K... not sure how many have purchased through ticket master, etc.. Now alot of those tickets are being purchased by corporations etc and given to charities, clients, et al.. The difference between us and Tech is, again..UL has sold about 22K through the University... Tech didnt even sniff that number for the I bowl. Any Tech fan that tells you that they own Shreveport needs to have his head examined. Good luck against Ohio.

Z

(12-19-2012 07:23 PM)SOT1977 Wrote:  Honest question: Why can't you get that many to a home game?

I ask because there was a Tech fan at the ULM fan forum who bragged that his school can always be counted on for putting 40,000 in Independence Stadium because of the large Tech alumni base in Shreveport. So I asked, "why can't you get all those folks to a game in Ruston where your biggest ever crowd is just over 25,000."

And don't get on to ULM here. That's not the question. We've already sold more tickets to our bowl than Florida State has for the Orange Bowl (NIU doesn't seem to be exciting anyone). And more than Toledo, Nevada, Purdue, Minnesota, Michigan State, and Nebraska have for their games. We're doing just fine.

There's a substantial Cajun alumni base in New Orleans. It is very common to see Ragin Cajun decals and gear in the metro area. A big win Saturday will go a long way to those folks making the two hour trip in 2013.

(12-19-2012 08:03 PM)zeebart21 Wrote:  

(12-19-2012 07:23 PM)SOT1977 Wrote:  Honest question: Why can't you get that many to a home game?

I ask because there was a Tech fan at the ULM fan forum who bragged that his school can always be counted on for putting 40,000 in Independence Stadium because of the large Tech alumni base in Shreveport. So I asked, "why can't you get all those folks to a game in Ruston where your biggest ever crowd is just over 25,000."

And don't get on to ULM here. That's not the question. We've already sold more tickets to our bowl than Florida State has for the Orange Bowl (NIU doesn't seem to be exciting anyone). And more than Toledo, Nevada, Purdue, Minnesota, Michigan State, and Nebraska have for their games. We're doing just fine.

SOT, legit question..I believe VO answered it perfectly.. Lets be clear.. Cajuns have sold through the University about 22K... not sure how many have purchased through ticket master, etc.. Now alot of those tickets are being purchased by corporations etc and given to charities, clients, et al.. The difference between us and Tech is, again..UL has sold about 22K through the University... Tech didnt even sniff that number for the I bowl. Any Tech fan that tells you that they own Shreveport needs to have his head examined. Good luck against Ohio.

Z

I lived in Shreveport for 7 1/2 months. I never encountered a single person who claimed to be a Tech fan. I did meet a UL alum/fan, and based on my morning and evening commute which I did at different hours thanks to a flexible work schedule I never saw any notable numbers of cars bearing Tech, ULM, or UL logos. I see more ASU on a given day in LR than I'd see of the three combined in Shreveport in two weeks. LSU, Saints, and Cowboys logos? Saw plenty.

Shreveport isn't a college sports town. It's a blue collar pro sports town the locals just consider LSU to be part of that club.

(12-19-2012 07:55 PM)Atlanta Trojan Wrote:  Nice congrats! Atleast 38k of those are UL fans.... More will buy tickets at the gates.

Easily 40k Cajun fans there in my opinion.

If you think 38,000 of 46,000 tickets sold are to UL fans you don't know about the Pirate Nation. The ECU fans are very passionate about their football team and travel very, very well. UL might end up having more fans at the game because it's just a short drive for them, but my guess is that they won't outnumber the crowd dressed in purple by much when all is said and done.

(12-19-2012 09:52 PM)PTJR Wrote:  

(12-19-2012 07:55 PM)Atlanta Trojan Wrote:  Nice congrats! Atleast 38k of those are UL fans.... More will buy tickets at the gates.

Easily 40k Cajun fans there in my opinion.

If you think 38,000 of 46,000 tickets sold are to UL fans you don't know about the Pirate Nation. The ECU fans are very passionate about their football team and travel very, very well. UL might end up having more fans at the game because it's just a short drive for them, but my guess is that they won't outnumber the crowd dressed in purple by much when all is said and done.

I hope you guys bring 20,000 but it doesn't look like that is happening. Those numbers indicated about 43,000 UL fans and 3,000 Pirates and misc. fans.

(12-19-2012 09:52 PM)PTJR Wrote:  

(12-19-2012 07:55 PM)Atlanta Trojan Wrote:  Nice congrats! Atleast 38k of those are UL fans.... More will buy tickets at the gates.

Easily 40k Cajun fans there in my opinion.

If you think 38,000 of 46,000 tickets sold are to UL fans you don't know about the Pirate Nation. The ECU fans are very passionate about their football team and travel very, very well. UL might end up having more fans at the game because it's just a short drive for them, but my guess is that they won't outnumber the crowd dressed in purple by much when all is said and done.

No we know the Pirate nation, UL is now selling some of the ECU retuned tickets. Those ECU fans will account for less than 5K sold tickets.

(12-19-2012 09:01 PM)arkstfan Wrote:  

(12-19-2012 08:03 PM)zeebart21 Wrote:  

(12-19-2012 07:23 PM)SOT1977 Wrote:  Honest question: Why can't you get that many to a home game?

I ask because there was a Tech fan at the ULM fan forum who bragged that his school can always be counted on for putting 40,000 in Independence Stadium because of the large Tech alumni base in Shreveport. So I asked, "why can't you get all those folks to a game in Ruston where your biggest ever crowd is just over 25,000."

And don't get on to ULM here. That's not the question. We've already sold more tickets to our bowl than Florida State has for the Orange Bowl (NIU doesn't seem to be exciting anyone). And more than Toledo, Nevada, Purdue, Minnesota, Michigan State, and Nebraska have for their games. We're doing just fine.

SOT, legit question..I believe VO answered it perfectly.. Lets be clear.. Cajuns have sold through the University about 22K... not sure how many have purchased through ticket master, etc.. Now alot of those tickets are being purchased by corporations etc and given to charities, clients, et al.. The difference between us and Tech is, again..UL has sold about 22K through the University... Tech didnt even sniff that number for the I bowl. Any Tech fan that tells you that they own Shreveport needs to have his head examined. Good luck against Ohio.

Z

I lived in Shreveport for 7 1/2 months. I never encountered a single person who claimed to be a Tech fan. I did meet a UL alum/fan, and based on my morning and evening commute which I did at different hours thanks to a flexible work schedule I never saw any notable numbers of cars bearing Tech, ULM, or UL logos. I see more ASU on a given day in LR than I'd see of the three combined in Shreveport in two weeks. LSU, Saints, and Cowboys logos? Saw plenty.

Shreveport isn't a college sports town. It's a blue collar pro sports town the locals just consider LSU to be part of that club.

They do love their Dallas Cowboys, too!

Z

(12-19-2012 09:52 PM)PTJR Wrote:  

(12-19-2012 07:55 PM)Atlanta Trojan Wrote:  Nice congrats! Atleast 38k of those are UL fans.... More will buy tickets at the gates.

Easily 40k Cajun fans there in my opinion.

If you think 38,000 of 46,000 tickets sold are to UL fans you don't know about the Pirate Nation. The ECU fans are very passionate about their football team and travel very, very well. UL might end up having more fans at the game because it's just a short drive for them, but my guess is that they won't outnumber the crowd dressed in purple by much when all is said and done.

Put the crack pipe down and don't let the Big Least invite go to your head. You will be outnumbered by a huge margin.. Let me say it again..HUGE

Z

(12-19-2012 06:59 PM)zeebart21 Wrote:  New Orleans Bowl executive director Billy Ferrante said Tuesday that more than 46,000 tickets for Saturday already have been distributed.

"I'm hoping that we can get to 50 (50,000)," he said. "I think it's realistic. Certainly within sight."

There will be electricity in the building Saturday morning.

Z

Great job

Had East Carolina been remotely interesting in this game at all, it would sell out. I feel bad for their fans, they deserve more than the product they've had the last couple of years.
Glad to read this stuff about UL. Gives me hope.

(12-20-2012 09:51 AM)Buccaneerlover Wrote:  Had East Carolina been remotely interesting in this game at all, it would sell out. I feel bad for their fans, they deserve more than the product they've had the last couple of years.
Glad to read this stuff about UL. Gives me hope.

If they can't get up for a bowl game, there is no one else to blame but themselves. Your own perception is what you make of it. If ECU fans fail to realize that a bowl game in New Orleans is one of the few bowl games in a great tourist destination, especially this time of year, then may god have mercy on their souls. Let them "feel" better about themselves in the Military Bowl, in Washington DC. Let them "feel" better about themselves in the Little Ceasar's Bowl in Detroit. You play the hand you are dealt. Trust me, us Cajuns are going to have a blast in New Orleans, regardless of what ECU or the Mayans have to say about it. I would hope any ECU fan would have enough sense to enjoy a successful season, and the reward of playing in a bowl game not played in Boise, Idaho.

You guys love the state of Louisiana and that's great. In talking to parents of a student there, it's not that they're not excited about the prospects of a trip to New Orleans, it's the prospects of watching a struggling team this season go and lose to what they feel is an "inferior" opponent. And that's not saying you ARE inferior, that's not what I'm saying at all so don't get fired up. But I saw it mentioned that the Cajuns have largely struggled with a crappy president who's used UL to garner political favor by essentially crapping all over athletics (I know alot about that, atleast you KEPT football).
It's a significant investment from Eastern North Carolina to Louisiana, short notice flights, hotels, rental cars, etc... It's a tough sell to pay that out for a struggling program when you can host a "N.O. Bowl" party, have a shrimp boil, serve cajun food and everyone drink Bourbon at home while watching in stunning H.D.

I'm going to be pulling hard for ULL in this one. I like seeing smug ass fans cry and *****.

Most of their fans are good people. They're proud of what they've gotten done on the field over the years and probably are a little spoiled. It'll be a fun game to watch.

(12-20-2012 10:39 AM)Buccaneerlover Wrote:  You guys love the state of Louisiana and that's great. In talking to parents of a student there, it's not that they're not excited about the prospects of a trip to New Orleans, it's the prospects of watching a struggling team this season go and lose to what they feel is an "inferior" opponent. And that's not saying you ARE inferior, that's not what I'm saying at all so don't get fired up. But I saw it mentioned that the Cajuns have largely struggled with a crappy president who's used UL to garner political favor by essentially crapping all over athletics (I know alot about that, atleast you KEPT football).
It's a significant investment from Eastern North Carolina to Louisiana, short notice flights, hotels, rental cars, etc... It's a tough sell to pay that out for a struggling program when you can host a "N.O. Bowl" party, have a shrimp boil, serve cajun food and everyone drink Bourbon at home while watching in stunning H.D.

Thats funny.. "Pride cometh before the fall" I dont believe there is one iota difference in academics with respect to UL vs ECU... You are right though.. Our past president just about killed us athletically.. 25 years ago we were considered the same level on the playing field..In fact I believe we lead the series.. Half assed administration with 0 vision held us back.. That being said your buddy needs to realize that CUSA was Sunbelt ***** this year... come off of that high horse..

All the best,

Z

(12-20-2012 11:54 AM)zeebart21 Wrote:  

(12-20-2012 10:39 AM)Buccaneerlover Wrote:  You guys love the state of Louisiana and that's great. In talking to parents of a student there, it's not that they're not excited about the prospects of a trip to New Orleans, it's the prospects of watching a struggling team this season go and lose to what they feel is an "inferior" opponent. And that's not saying you ARE inferior, that's not what I'm saying at all so don't get fired up. But I saw it mentioned that the Cajuns have largely struggled with a crappy president who's used UL to garner political favor by essentially crapping all over athletics (I know alot about that, atleast you KEPT football).
It's a significant investment from Eastern North Carolina to Louisiana, short notice flights, hotels, rental cars, etc... It's a tough sell to pay that out for a struggling program when you can host a "N.O. Bowl" party, have a shrimp boil, serve cajun food and everyone drink Bourbon at home while watching in stunning H.D.

Thats funny.. "Pride cometh before the fall" I dont believe there is one iota difference in academics with respect to UL vs ECU... You are right though.. Our past president just about killed us athletically.. 25 years ago we were considered the same level on the playing field..In fact I believe we lead the series.. Half assed administration with 0 vision held us back.. That being said your buddy needs to realize that CUSA was Sunbelt ***** this year... come off of that high horse..

All the best,

Z

Agreed but it's not about academic pride rather than football. Traditionally the top half of C-USA is better than the top half of the Sun Belt. East Carolina and Southern Miss clearly had and are having on field issues.
The game will be a blast, honestly I'd love to have seen it be La. Tech in that game, it would've sold out.