[Turbine]

Vendors and food trucks so fans have options if they don’t want to cook

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.

[Ragin9221]

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.

[Reddot]

Came here to get info on the interim AD.
Are we getting him for free…lol

[Turbine]

David Walker and Scott Farmer were the AD and Associate AD in those days.

2002-2003 near the start of the Bustle era.

If you recall, part of the reasoning was to secure the Eauque from first come first serve groups that were laying claim.

I wasn't a member but I spent more than a few minutes with you guys.

[Cajunsmike]

I remember when Eauque members went to Schexnayner and proposed 'take our and other tailgaters money'

Also, they did sell game to game stadium parking passes last season.

[Cajunsmike]

I remember when Eauque members went to Schexnayner and proposed 'take our and other tailgaters money'

David Walker and Scott Farmer were the AD and Associate AD in those days.

[Turbine]

Many tiers

$5000 RCAF and perhaps more to tailgate.

$1500 RCAF and $200 to tailgate.

Just give the certain tier RCAF memvers the right to tailgate if they so chose to claim thir location.

[Louisiana84]

But when it stopped being affordable, our kids stopped going. And we lost a generation of under-40 customers who began to view UL football as anti-student, anti-affordable, anti-young family. Pretty much a real buzz-kill for the young folks. And some of us older folks, too.

The kids found something else to do that didn't cost as much. None of the hot-shot marketers and experts never figured out what they did wrong. Insert the right marketers in a crowd of $30k tailgaters and you could pick up a plenty of $$$ every game. But this administration doesn't know how to sell; they only know how to market/raise funds in a traditional way.

Now that they've ruined the product and have to start all over again, they need to know it begins with the (free) tailgate experience. And how do you move people from the parking lot to the stadium? By making it more fun to come in than to stay out... and the administration never figured out how to do that. They ruined it for the Greeks, they ruined it for the campus housing kids, they ruined it for all the on-campus organizations.

The only thing they didn't ruin was the annual alumni Mardi Gras Ski Trip because it sucked from the get-go. That's the kind of lame marketing these folks do. It's time to start all over.

[Turbine]

I remember when Eauque members went to Schexnayner and proposed 'take our and other tailgaters money'

[Louisiana84]

84, tailgating has not been free since long before you stopped coming. In fact, when tailgating was really booming [Hud years] every tailgate spot was a paid spot. Maybe you weren't paying, but someone was paying for the spot under the Eauque where you tailgated. The problem isn't paid tailgate spots, though I do agree that some spots should be free and first come first served, and that some should be single game paid spots, in addition to the full season paid spots.
Having all that expanse of empty parking lot is a problem. They know how many preferred parking passes they sell; it would be easy to open up a significant number of first come first served $20 parking spots inside the stadium grounds.
Free is never the sole right answer.

I paid, Charlie. And I didn't mind. In fact, we had to make them take our money, remember?

[Swamp]

I'm not a fan of the free volleyball model.

You don't know who your fans are or where efforts should be directed.

Charge the cost of printing tickets

I'm on board with this.

[Turbine]

I'm not a fan of the free volleyball model.

You don't know who your fans are or where efforts should be directed.

Charge the cost of printing tickets

[Swamp]

Exactly. I don't think the problem is cost but lack of effective promotion and not a long history of success in sports.

$2 Natty gave us National Exposure in Football and Baseball. And a s&-+ load of people buying beer in CF and T.

Half of something is better than all of nothing.

[facelessjonmoon]

I'm ok with reduced prices but not anything free. Maybe charge $5 per vehicle to park inside Cajun Field. Something is better than nothing.

$10-20 per game would be reasonable IMO to park on site . Make it mobile pay only with a QR code etc. If you want free- across West Congress is still there

Gotta do something to get more cars into the gates around Cajun Field. Making RCAF membership a requirement doesn’t seem to be working

[Headcase33]

It will be even worse now that LSU has Lane Kiffin. Unfortunately he will win like crazy there and we will lose more people here to there. Sad reality but it’s 100% true. This whole damn state is behind LSUA&M. Cajun football is done, period.