[HELMUTVII]

Krewe DE Chew?

Try 200

They invited everyone.

I have no doubt that 200+ strolled through every game day.

I might be low balling it.

I think you are about right. But we all don't "Roosta like we usta'

[Ragin9221]

Krewe DE Chew?

Try 200

They invited everyone.

I have no doubt that 200+ strolled through every game day.

I might be low balling it.

How many spots just spit ball. How many sat comfortably?

Lets see how bad they are missing out.

you know how great a atmosphere that it would make it if you got an area of 7 or 8 tailgate spots that was easily accessible where people can come and tailgate for free?

[Turbine]

Krewe DE Chew?

Try 200

They invited everyone.

I have no doubt that 200+ strolled through every game day.

I might be low balling it.

[Fan of 71]

Ingenuity left the complex about 9 years ago...

[Ragin9221]

Right now RCAF Tailgate contributors are paying for the empty slots.

Any empty slot that gets filled are considered langiappe.

It will take ingenuity to change that financial culture.

good for them, i guess, so we ain’t changing we just kicking the can down the road and not trying to grow our fanbase SMH!!!

If they were smart, i would get the RCAF Tailgators that are spending money on these empty spots, and charge 10 dollars per person to set up shop on these spots, and donate it to the University. Each of those spots can fit 10
people comfortably? If you wanted to push it could technically get 20 in one area.

How many tailgate spots were i. Krewe de Chew? I am thinking 2 and they had probably over 40 people in that area?

lets think of it another way if i fit 10 of an area of one tailgate spot, and i set up vendors I am spending more then 10 dollars between a hot dog or poboy sandwich and a drank i am out 20 bucks? 20•10 is 200

[Turbine]

Right now RCAF Tailgate contributors are paying for the empty slots.

Any empty slot that gets filled are considered langiappe.

It will take ingenuity to change that financial culture.

[HELMUTVII]

I quit going to games 2 years ago. Opted out the COVID season. I quit for several reasons. I got tired of the parking Nazis, the tailgate Nazis , the clown show that they called ticket scanning and the God Awful loud music over the PA. .

The last year I attended we played USM on a Tuesday night. The conference sent an officials crew that had 2 guys grossly overweight. One of them could barely bend over to set the ball in play. Another was barely mobile and looked like he needed a hip or knee replacement. It was like they picked up some homeless guys at a 7-11 and gave them 20 bucks and the uniform. We lost the game largely due to poor officiating. I thought to myself "I'm paying for this?". I said I am done.

I have a lot more free time now. I listen to games over the radio. We win great we lose.. I'm going to go do something else.

All the above plus the NIL/transfer portal business / money grab has taken all the fun out of it. If that makes me a bad fan well then I'm guilty.

It's amazing how much extra time I have on a Saturday

[Ragin9221]

My group stopped paying for the season long RV tailgating spot the season after we had 3 mid week home games a few years ago. We weren’t able to use it . Turns out we didn’t miss the trouble required that goes into it

still attend all home games but the all or nothing tailgating structure is too rigid and the gameday atmosphere the last several years certainly reflects it

Exactly for a die hard, i will still attend, but for a casual fan if we are trying to get more fans, the casual fan will not go just to go to the game, which faces the heart of the problem

Your experience proves the exact point I’m trying to make. When the tailgating setup is “all or nothing,” regular fans end up choosing nothing. You paid for an RV spot, couldn’t use it because of mid‑week games, and eventually realized the hassle wasn’t worth it. You still go to the games just like we did but the tailgating part disappears.

That’s the problem UL created. The structure is too rigid, too expensive, and too limited. If people can’t tailgate in a simple, flexible way
like sitting by their car without being told to move they stop doing it. And when enough fans stop tailgating, the game‑day atmosphere drops. That’s exactly what we’re seeing now.

This isn’t about being cheap or wanting special treatment. It’s about UL making tailgating accessible again so everyday fans don’t feel pushed out. The issue isn’t on us it’s on UL to fix a system that clearly isn’t working for most people.

[facelessjonmoon]

Can i tailgate by my car and not be told to leave, but as long as i am not bothering or causing a problem? Because after we were told that we couldnt do it we never tailgated anymore, we still went to the game though. I think that may be the case for some people.

I am not willing to risk to be told by a cop that we can not do it. After we were told, maybe that is being petty, i dont get to attend every game so, i am not going to pay for season tickets and i am not paying 3 grand for a tailgate spot.

i dont care, i am not like i am trying to get what i want. yall can say i am cheap or whatever it doesn’t help the fact that you will not get the majority of fans to pay that and go to the game they will just stop showing up.

UL better recognize the problem. I just bringing light to a certain subject

its not on me just on them.

My group stopped paying for the season long RV tailgating spot the season after we had 3 mid week home games a few years ago. We weren’t able to use it . Turns out we didn’t miss the trouble required that goes into it

still attend all home games but the all or nothing tailgating structure is too rigid and the gameday atmosphere the last several years certainly reflects it

[Localyokel]

The problem isn’t that you have to pay for tailgating the issue is that if I want to sit by my car, as long as I’m not blocking anyone or causing problems, I’m being told I can’t do that. I’ve seen it happen, and people just pack up and leave.

If I’m paying for my own parking and minding my own business, it shouldn’t be a problem for me to set up a small grill and a chair and enjoy a simple tailgate. If UL is going to restrict that, then there needs to be a designated area where fans can do it properly. People will point to the oak tree area or the space by the baseball field, but those spots don’t offer easy access for someone who just wants to bring a chair, a cooler, and a small setup.

If the university wants to move or limit tailgating, then they need to provide real accommodations seating, shade, vendors, restrooms, and clear space for fans who aren’t bringing a full RV setup. Tailgating is supposed to be welcoming, not something that feels like you’re being pushed out unless you have a big rig or a large group.

UL could make tailgating better by creating a fan‑friendly zone with:

• Permanent seating or shaded areas for people who don’t have tents
• Small‑grill‑friendly spots with proper spacing and safety rules
• Vendors and food trucks so fans have options if they don’t want to cook
• Clear signage and easy access so people know where they’re allowed to set up
• Family‑friendly areas with games, music, and activities
• Better parking flow so people can unload chairs and coolers without walking half a mile

Tailgating is part of the culture. It’s part of the experience. If UL wants to regulate it, then UL also needs to invest in making it better not harder for everyday fans who just want to enjoy the game day atmosphere.
.
Yall want to know why people drive 50 miles to go to a LSU game.

LSU is famous for letting fans:

• set up right next to their car,
• bring small grills,
• pop open folding chairs,
• cook jambalaya, boudin, burgers — whatever,
• and enjoy the day without being pushed into a designated areas.

1. Parking‑lot tailgating is fully embraced

LSU doesn’t force you into a special area unless you want to be there.
If you park, you can tailgate. Simple as that.

No “you can’t sit by your car.”
No “move to the oak tree area.”
No “you need a permit for a chair.”

2. They mix casual fans with big setups

LSU has:

• RV lots
• tent villages
• family areas
• AND regular fans sitting by their car with a grill and two chairs


Everyone fits. Nobody gets pushed out.

3. Easy access is the priority

LSU’s layout is built around convenience:

• You park.
• You unload.
• You tailgate right there.


No hauling gear across campus. No long walks. No “designated zone” that’s far away.

4. Vendors and amenities are nearby not forced

LSU has:

• food vendors
• merch tents
• music
• fan zones


But they’re optional. You can stay by your car and still be part of the atmosphere.

5. It keeps regular fans involved

LSU proves that letting people tailgate by their car increases participation.
Families, older fans, casual fans they all stay because it’s easy.

I am not an LSU fan by any means, but this is partly why we have lost the regular fan, and forcing the older fans out.

All of this is true. UL has the worst "tailgating" setup and atmosphere I've ever seen.

[Ragin9221]

Just an observation, but some comments on here are obviously from people who have not attended a game lately. Like suggesting things that are already being done and have for a few years.

Can i tailgate by my car and not be told to leave, but as long as i am not bothering or causing a problem? Because after we were told that we couldnt do it we never tailgated anymore, we still went to the game though. I think that may be the case for some people.

I am not willing to risk to be told by a cop that we can not do it. After we were told, maybe that is being petty, i dont get to attend every game so, i am not going to pay for season tickets and i am not paying 3 grand for a tailgate spot.

i dont care, i am not like i am trying to get what i want. yall can say i am cheap or whatever it doesn’t help the fact that you will not get the majority of fans to pay that and go to the game they will just stop showing up.

UL better recognize the problem. I just bringing light to a certain subject

its not on me just on them.

[BeauCajun]

Just an observation, but some comments on here are obviously from people who have not attended a game lately. Like suggesting things that are already being done and have for a few years.

[Ragin9221]

I love all the ideas (make it happen) but this one caught my eye.

Cajun basin needs to be a GrubLot

Not all the time, just on game days.

If someone wants to set up a small chill spot contraption that operates out of their trunk (walk to a grub truck and back) that should be an option.

ps Along with a game day food festival.

This is what I would do if i had it my way. I would do something like this. Keep the RV area close to the stadium, At Texas A&M you can reserve spots for free, but can not sell your spot if you do you are banned from the small setup area forever. You could give it away, and those spots would be at a first come first serve basis, that you could reserve on a per game basis. We talking about a small spot we not talking about big spots, like 2 chairs and a small grill area. like thats it that is all the space you are getting. keeping it simple and fair for everyone. If they want to get dirty no coolers, you could have to get your drinks from the beer garden section, with coke, lemonade, water, and of course 2 dollar Nattys.

you could do the small free group tailgate area first seeing how it goes first before doing something like this to test the waters, see if this is a good idea with essentially no cost the university.

[Ragin9221]

If we were serious about it

• Food trucks + local vendors to give fans easy meal options without needing a full tailgate setup.
• Designated “small‑setup zone” where fans can sit by their car with chairs, coolers, and small grills without being pushed out.
• Shaded seating areas for fans who don’t bring tents simple covered structures or portable shade.
• Walk‑up drink stations for water, sodas, lemonade, and possibly a licensed beer tent.
• Game‑day music (DJ, Cajun/Zydeco playlist, or live band) to create atmosphere without overwhelming the space.
• Family‑friendly activities like cornhole, ladder toss, inflatables, or a kids’ play zone.
• Clear signage showing where fans can set up, where vendors are located, and where foot traffic flows.
• Easy unloading access so fans can drop off chairs/coolers without long walks. I know alot of people
do not like leaving there stuff there, or hauling it back, but if it could be where most people park would make it easily accessible.
• Pop‑up UL merch booths for shirts, hats, and game‑day gear.
• Game‑day food festival section featuring Lafayette restaurants, pop‑ups, and specialty Cajun dishes.
• Trash and cleanup stations to keep the area clean and easy to maintain.
• Lighting for night games so the area stays safe, visible, and welcoming.
• Student‑friendly hangout zone with cheap food options and a social atmosphere.

These are my ideas that we could do. Thats why i always proposed it in the NEZ parking lot.

you could keep RV parking close to the stadium, but if you park in Cajun Field, or have to park across from Cajun Field and travel across Congress, then that whole area can be that. Thats why the setup needs to be there. Its a good middle
ground to the stadium.

Also if i am passing on Congress on a Saturday all those cars will wonder what is going on there and might decide to join, even if they do not go to the game.

accessibility and convience is the key and everything else will handle itself.

[Ragin9221]

I love all the ideas (make it happen) but this one caught my eye.

Cajun basin needs to be a GrubLot

I dont want to post this twice but i feel like this needs to be its own thread.