So this is no longer a baseball thread...

Is it a just ignore it a little bit more thread? Is it a move it to Smack Board thread? Is it a needs to be closed thread? Hmmm...

(03-15-2024 08:45 AM)SkullyMaroo Wrote:  So this is no longer a baseball thread...

Is it a just ignore it a little bit more thread? Is it a move it to Smack Board thread? Is it a needs to be closed thread? Hmmm...

Or just move the tech/UL stuff. Most of it will not be of general interest. The rest of the thread is fine. Not sure if it's worth the trouble though.

We cannot have these types of conversations on our respective fan boards. Ragin Pagin is just a cesspool of groupthink and the mod is highly political.

(03-15-2024 08:45 AM)SkullyMaroo Wrote:  So this is no longer a baseball thread...

Is it a just ignore it a little bit more thread? Is it a move it to Smack Board thread? Is it a needs to be closed thread? Hmmm...

Hey now, I feel like they were really getting somewhere in this therapy session! No need to rush things along

(03-15-2024 09:16 AM)Bobcats2011 Wrote:  

(03-15-2024 08:45 AM)SkullyMaroo Wrote:  So this is no longer a baseball thread...

Is it a just ignore it a little bit more thread? Is it a move it to Smack Board thread? Is it a needs to be closed thread? Hmmm...

Hey now, I feel like they were really getting somewhere in this therapy session! No need to rush things along

When do we all go in for the group hug?

(03-15-2024 09:56 AM)RustonBulldog Wrote:  

(03-15-2024 09:16 AM)Bobcats2011 Wrote:  

(03-15-2024 08:45 AM)SkullyMaroo Wrote:  So this is no longer a baseball thread...

Is it a just ignore it a little bit more thread? Is it a move it to Smack Board thread? Is it a needs to be closed thread? Hmmm...

Hey now, I feel like they were really getting somewhere in this therapy session! No need to rush things along

When do we all go in for the group hug?

Kumbaya b9tches

(03-15-2024 10:28 AM)ragin4u Wrote:  

(03-15-2024 09:56 AM)RustonBulldog Wrote:  

(03-15-2024 09:16 AM)Bobcats2011 Wrote:  

(03-15-2024 08:45 AM)SkullyMaroo Wrote:  So this is no longer a baseball thread...

Is it a just ignore it a little bit more thread? Is it a move it to Smack Board thread? Is it a needs to be closed thread? Hmmm...

Hey now, I feel like they were really getting somewhere in this therapy session! No need to rush things along

When do we all go in for the group hug?

Kumbaya b9tches

Let’s hug it out, *******!

(03-15-2024 08:32 AM)RustonBulldog Wrote:  

(03-15-2024 08:07 AM)Big Buds Wrote:  

(03-15-2024 07:09 AM)RustonBulldog Wrote:  

(03-14-2024 04:23 PM)FrankyP Wrote:  

(03-14-2024 04:08 PM)RustonBulldog Wrote:  Jim Henderson probably has a lot of great connections from his time as UL System President and which opens the door for olive branches at the administration level. He has the relationships to rebuild bridges that have been burnt.

Agree. With Henderson now at the helm there is at least one adult in the room. I guess what we were really curious about is how the fan base is taking these ‘olive branches,’ esp calling us by our correct name?

I think this a much larger issue that I hope you and the rest of the posters see below that I'll be approaching in good faith.

For the last, at least, 20 years both of our schools have been fighting to be seen as the premier school of the UL System. Our schools took two different routes to get there. Louisiana Tech upped its admission stands with a focus on receiving the tier one designations, while you guys focus on expanded enrollment and research dollars for R1 status. We were both succesful in those ventures. Did it ultimately make a difference for either? I'm not really sure. I do believe Louisiana Tech took the wrong path as with a declining state population, we can no longer hold those admission standards without losing enrollment.

This matters in the context of athletics, because prior to this new era that we'll say started around 2021, there would be a massive athletic reward for receiving that premier designation in the UL System. I think if either of our schools had been able to separate themselves from the other it could have been rocket fuel for growth (Maybe even enough for one or the other to eventually knock on the door of a weakened Big 12). Louisiana Tech fans always saw the "Louisiana" branding as an attempt to grab that flagship status of the UL System. If Tech gave up ground on that and the branding campaign was successful during that era it could have been detrimental to Louisiana Tech's resources and future growth. So we fought it and took it personally.

That fear doesn't exist in 2024. The big boys are leaving (Have left) the station and we've both been left behind. Any dreams either school had of making that leap to the bottom of the P5 are officially dead. People will laugh but I think at one point there was an opportunity for one of us to do that if the chips fell right. College athletics is changing rapidly and our resources are limited. Most Tech fans are tapping out. The fun rivalry between our schools will still exist, but the brawl for that UL Flagship status is done.

What is funny is that the nastiness between our schools fans has always surprised outsiders. I think both of our schools have an extremely passionate core fan base. There is something that makes our schools different and that is our state is and will always be owned by LSU. So your true Cajun and Bulldog fans said no to the most powerful cultural influence in our state and chose to support their school instead. Only the true diehards do that.

Older Louisiana Tech fans will never go along with the Louisiana branding as it will always be seen as a part of that power struggle, but newer graduates and certainly current and future graduates won't care at all.

I'm sure you will disagree with some, maybe all, of what I posted but thats my take on where we are today.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this subject. I will disagree in that I feel the R1 status has created some separation within the UL System. Other than that I completely agree with you on this. Unless something massive happens I don’t see Louisiana or LaTech making a lower “P4” conference. I’m not suggesting we shouldn’t strive for it…but the door seems to have been shut for good. And yes, to be a diehard Cajuns or Bulldogs fan, in this State,…is something very unique and special.

I can’t speak on the academic side, I truly don’t know enough about either side to even engage. I’m more referring to the perception of separation statewide that would allow one of our schools to grab enough athletic resources to race into that bottom of the P4. Example: Like an $80 million dollar athletic budget. Still nowhere near LSU but clearly far ahead of the 25-35 range that we and ULM sit in today.

I’m not sure it was ever possible either with so many four year universities in the state. North Louisiana should have one four-year university and instead there are four D1 universities.

South Louisiana should have 2, excluding Tulane. That dilution of eligible students has probably been the largest inhibitor of growth.

Bad politics to shut down a university though and we all know how Louisiana politicians operate.

I don’t know what the future looks like, but from my stance and a lot of my peers (all in late 20s to late 30s) the animosity has subsided. We love our school but the new environment has definitely impacted how we view everything. I certainly don’t lose sleep over athletic losses anymore. I don’t “hate” rivals like I used to. It’s just a different world where I do truly see us all on the same sinking ship. College athletics is unrecognizable from five years ago. I think five years from now it will be unrecognizable for today.

BTW no ill feelings for people who want to kick us while we are down. You reap what you sow. We treated a lot of people badly trying to crawl to the top and now we have nothing to show for it.

100%, sir. I’ve said this numerous times on many different threads but I’d absolutely love to have y’all join us in the SBC! I realize I’m in the minority, but I’m not wavering on my stance.


In no particular order: UTSA/LaTech/WKU/ECU

(03-15-2024 11:31 AM)Big Buds Wrote:  

(03-15-2024 08:32 AM)RustonBulldog Wrote:  

(03-15-2024 08:07 AM)Big Buds Wrote:  

(03-15-2024 07:09 AM)RustonBulldog Wrote:  

(03-14-2024 04:23 PM)FrankyP Wrote:  Agree. With Henderson now at the helm there is at least one adult in the room. I guess what we were really curious about is how the fan base is taking these ‘olive branches,’ esp calling us by our correct name?

I think this a much larger issue that I hope you and the rest of the posters see below that I'll be approaching in good faith.

For the last, at least, 20 years both of our schools have been fighting to be seen as the premier school of the UL System. Our schools took two different routes to get there. Louisiana Tech upped its admission stands with a focus on receiving the tier one designations, while you guys focus on expanded enrollment and research dollars for R1 status. We were both succesful in those ventures. Did it ultimately make a difference for either? I'm not really sure. I do believe Louisiana Tech took the wrong path as with a declining state population, we can no longer hold those admission standards without losing enrollment.

This matters in the context of athletics, because prior to this new era that we'll say started around 2021, there would be a massive athletic reward for receiving that premier designation in the UL System. I think if either of our schools had been able to separate themselves from the other it could have been rocket fuel for growth (Maybe even enough for one or the other to eventually knock on the door of a weakened Big 12). Louisiana Tech fans always saw the "Louisiana" branding as an attempt to grab that flagship status of the UL System. If Tech gave up ground on that and the branding campaign was successful during that era it could have been detrimental to Louisiana Tech's resources and future growth. So we fought it and took it personally.

That fear doesn't exist in 2024. The big boys are leaving (Have left) the station and we've both been left behind. Any dreams either school had of making that leap to the bottom of the P5 are officially dead. People will laugh but I think at one point there was an opportunity for one of us to do that if the chips fell right. College athletics is changing rapidly and our resources are limited. Most Tech fans are tapping out. The fun rivalry between our schools will still exist, but the brawl for that UL Flagship status is done.

What is funny is that the nastiness between our schools fans has always surprised outsiders. I think both of our schools have an extremely passionate core fan base. There is something that makes our schools different and that is our state is and will always be owned by LSU. So your true Cajun and Bulldog fans said no to the most powerful cultural influence in our state and chose to support their school instead. Only the true diehards do that.

Older Louisiana Tech fans will never go along with the Louisiana branding as it will always be seen as a part of that power struggle, but newer graduates and certainly current and future graduates won't care at all.

I'm sure you will disagree with some, maybe all, of what I posted but thats my take on where we are today.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this subject. I will disagree in that I feel the R1 status has created some separation within the UL System. Other than that I completely agree with you on this. Unless something massive happens I don’t see Louisiana or LaTech making a lower “P4” conference. I’m not suggesting we shouldn’t strive for it…but the door seems to have been shut for good. And yes, to be a diehard Cajuns or Bulldogs fan, in this State,…is something very unique and special.

I can’t speak on the academic side, I truly don’t know enough about either side to even engage. I’m more referring to the perception of separation statewide that would allow one of our schools to grab enough athletic resources to race into that bottom of the P4. Example: Like an $80 million dollar athletic budget. Still nowhere near LSU but clearly far ahead of the 25-35 range that we and ULM sit in today.

I’m not sure it was ever possible either with so many four year universities in the state. North Louisiana should have one four-year university and instead there are four D1 universities.

South Louisiana should have 2, excluding Tulane. That dilution of eligible students has probably been the largest inhibitor of growth.

Bad politics to shut down a university though and we all know how Louisiana politicians operate.

I don’t know what the future looks like, but from my stance and a lot of my peers (all in late 20s to late 30s) the animosity has subsided. We love our school but the new environment has definitely impacted how we view everything. I certainly don’t lose sleep over athletic losses anymore. I don’t “hate” rivals like I used to. It’s just a different world where I do truly see us all on the same sinking ship. College athletics is unrecognizable from five years ago. I think five years from now it will be unrecognizable for today.

BTW no ill feelings for people who want to kick us while we are down. You reap what you sow. We treated a lot of people badly trying to crawl to the top and now we have nothing to show for it.

100%, sir. I’ve said this numerous times on many different threads but I’d absolutely love to have y’all join us in the SBC! I realize I’m in the minority, but I’m not wavering on my stance.


In no particular order: UTSA/LaTech/WKU/ECU

I’d agree mostly with this order. I’d def like UTSA/LaTech/ECU… I’m stuck on my fourth though. ECU/LaTech are practically interchangeable for me on that 2nd/3rd spot. 4th spot for me would have to be a UNT, UAB, SHSU (IF they improve facilities), maybe WKU.

Probably unpopular opinion (not even sure if anyone out there remotely would qualify for this) but if there are any potential expansion candidates that DONT have a baseball program, I would say add DBU for baseball only (similar to their cusa affiliation) to keep numbers even.

(03-15-2024 11:29 AM)Big Buds Wrote:  

(03-15-2024 10:28 AM)ragin4u Wrote:  

(03-15-2024 09:56 AM)RustonBulldog Wrote:  

(03-15-2024 09:16 AM)Bobcats2011 Wrote:  

(03-15-2024 08:45 AM)SkullyMaroo Wrote:  So this is no longer a baseball thread...

Is it a just ignore it a little bit more thread? Is it a move it to Smack Board thread? Is it a needs to be closed thread? Hmmm...

Hey now, I feel like they were really getting somewhere in this therapy session! No need to rush things along

When do we all go in for the group hug?

Kumbaya b9tches

Let’s hug it out, *******!

***Says to rest of SBC members*** … oh man look, the Louisianans are huggin it out… someone warn the crawfish, they dont stand a fuggin chance!!

The last thing we need is for LTU to be in this conf, if for no other reason than we certainly don’t need 3 schools from La in the same league, much less having 2 of those schools 20 miles apart.

(03-14-2024 01:48 PM)ragin4u Wrote:  Any tech fans lurking care to comment on the apparent change on using our preferred name?

I call y'all UL or Louisiana most of the time, but Game Week? U-LA-La forever!

(03-15-2024 01:22 PM)FrankyP Wrote:  The last thing we need is for LTU to be in this conf, if for no other reason than we certainly don’t need 3 schools from La in the same league, much less having 2 of those schools 20 miles apart.

I think it could be argued that that would be a positive.

(03-15-2024 01:26 PM)Pounce FTW Wrote:  

(03-15-2024 01:22 PM)FrankyP Wrote:  The last thing we need is for LTU to be in this conf, if for no other reason than we certainly don’t need 3 schools from La in the same league, much less having 2 of those schools 20 miles apart.

I think it could be argued that that would be a positive.

I agree because I want utsa in conference… but they’re closer to 50 miles away. I know that comparison is apples to oranges… technically separate market, expand footprint slight..
Utsa, TXST, UL, ULM, LaTech, stAte, USM would be a tight geographical “POD”

This conversation has been split off from last weekend's baseball thread. As long as it doesn't get out of hand it can stay on the main board. But if it becomes too much to manage it'll get routed to the Smack Board.

(03-15-2024 01:22 PM)FrankyP Wrote:  The last thing we need is for LTU to be in this conf, if for no other reason than we certainly don’t need 3 schools from La in the same league, much less having 2 of those schools 20 miles apart.

And that is where we disagree, Franky. All good.

(03-15-2024 02:35 PM)Big Buds Wrote:  

(03-15-2024 01:22 PM)FrankyP Wrote:  The last thing we need is for LTU to be in this conf, if for no other reason than we certainly don’t need 3 schools from La in the same league, much less having 2 of those schools 20 miles apart.

And that is where we disagree, Franky. All good.

I’m good with that too, and don’t have a problem with you having that opinion. I mean I can see some of the benefits of them moving up to us, but the reason not to have them far, far outweigh the benefits.

It used to be that we needed a good rivarly was the best (only real) reason to have the, w/us, but now that USM is on board, even that reason is no longer valid.

Live long and prosper my friend.

(03-15-2024 02:42 PM)FrankyP Wrote:  

(03-15-2024 02:35 PM)Big Buds Wrote:  

(03-15-2024 01:22 PM)FrankyP Wrote:  The last thing we need is for LTU to be in this conf, if for no other reason than we certainly don’t need 3 schools from La in the same league, much less having 2 of those schools 20 miles apart.

And that is where we disagree, Franky. All good.

I’m good with that too, and don’t have a problem with you having that opinion. I mean I can see some of the benefits of them moving up to us, but the reason not to have them far, far outweigh the benefits.

It used to be that we needed a good rivarly was the best (only real) reason to have the, w/us, but now that USM is on board, even that reason is no longer valid.

Live long and prosper my friend.

I hate LaTech. I don’t like Southern Miss., but only on game weeks. I route against LaTech in any and every situation…even if they were in the SBC I could NEVER pull for them. I pull for Southern Miss. all the time.

Hate is a strong word…and I hate LaTech. Let them in…let the hate flow through our veins.

I don't want a conference mate I couldn't root for OOC. La tech.....

Asking for a friend…when will Louisiana Tech be rescheduling their 2012 Independence bowl game? Or are they still holding out for the Bobby Boucher Sugar Bowl errr Bourbon Bowl?

(03-15-2024 03:26 PM)Johnnychimpo Wrote:  Asking for a friend…when will Louisiana Tech be rescheduling their 2012 Independence bowl game? Or are they still holding out for the Bobby Boucher Sugar Bowl errr Bourbon Bowl?