[Ragin9221]

With my last post i know yall going to say the oak tree and baseball, i am saying it needs to be where is easily accessible and convenient for fans to tailgate. It needs to be in the most centralized area where common single game ticket holders park.

[Duggie35]

When you look at the logistics, we’re not talking about some massive space. UL could easily fit a large number of fans into just three tailgate areas. The land is already there that’s the part people forget. The infrastructure exists. The only thing missing is the willingness to use it in a way that actually grows the fanbase instead of limiting it.

Maybe UL thinks a free‑tailgating area isn’t in their best financial interest because it doesn’t generate direct fees. But the reality is the opposite: they would make more money with a free tailgating zone than they do by leaving those spots empty. Right now, the model assumes that forcing people into $2,000 tailgate spots is the only way to generate revenue. That’s not true. In fact, it’s hurting them.

A free tailgating area brings in more people and more people means more spending. Fans buy food, drinks, merch, and game‑day items. Vendors make money. UL gets vendor fees, sponsorship opportunities, and increased stadium attendance. A full, lively tailgate zone creates an atmosphere that encourages people to show up early, stay longer, and spend more.

If UL doesn’t offer a free tailgating area, those fans simply don’t tailgate. They don’t spend money. They don’t bring friends. They don’t create energy. And some of them eventually stop coming altogether. Empty spots generate zero dollars. A free tailgating zone generates hundreds of dollars per spot through vendors, concessions, and increased attendance.

So the question becomes:
Do you want empty land producing nothing, or a packed area producing revenue and growing your fanbase?

The math is simple.
The logistics are simple.
The opportunity is sitting right there.

UL just has to stop kicking the can down the road and actually use the space in a way that benefits everyone especially the fans who want to be there.

They could technically have a Krewe De Chew that is so much bigger and better then the original if they would allow it, It was never your job to do it, it should of been the University job to do it, it hurts me because they treating the fan base like objects. When in reality it should of been the opposite.

Maybe at Missouri they treat fans as objects, but this is South Louisiana at a Sunbelt school. Lets be real i am glad Maggard is goin. He did more harm then good.

Understand he is the one that put UL in this deficit. I dont understand this fascination with the man. He ruined our athletic budget, and ruined the fan base.

Now he wants tuck tale and run or because he is not making the same salary okay.

Like we have Stockholm syndrome or something.

I agree for the most part. They could charge a premium for those that want to tailgate closer to the stadium and are willing to pay for that privilege and reduce the cost the further away you get from the stadium. Make some tailgating spots free on a first come first serve bases in areas farthest from the stadium. This would satisfy those that want to pay for a reserved spot in an area they want or can afford and give others a chance to come early, grab a spot and spend the day at OLOL Stadium (Cajun Field).

[Ragin9221]

I agree for the most part. They could charge a premium for those that want to tailgate closer to the stadium and are willing to pay for that privilege and reduce the cost the further away you get from the stadium. Make some tailgating spots free on a first come first serve bases in areas farthest from the stadium. This would satisfy those that want to pay for a reserved spot in an area they want or can afford and give others a chance to come early, grab a spot and spend the day at OLOL Stadium (Cajun Field).

It doesn’t have to be far. It just needs to be in the same place where the majority of fans without a parking pass already park. That to me us why the NEZ parking lot
makes sense. Logistically, that’s the easiest and most natural spot. If I have to cross Congress Street, I’m basically there. As soon as I cross Congress, I’m in the perfect area for a simple, accessible tailgating zone.

From a convenience standpoint, it makes everything smoother. Fans could set up before the game, walk into the stadium, and when the game ends, they could grab their chairs, cooler, or small grill and head straight to their car without a long walk or hassle. It keeps everything compact, efficient, and fan‑friendly.

Expanding on the logistics:

• The NEZ lot already handles heavy foot traffic, so adding a tailgating zone doesn’t disrupt anything.
• It’s close enough to the stadium that fans don’t feel disconnected from the game‑day atmosphere.
• It’s far enough from the main tailgate areas that it doesn’t interfere with RCAF setups.
• It uses land UL already has, instead of leaving it empty and unproductive.

And from a money standpoint, this location makes even more sense. A free or low‑cost tailgating area in the NEZ would bring in more people, which means more spending on:

• food vendors
• drinks
• merch
• concessions
• parking
• future ticket sales


If UL doesn’t offer a free tailgating area, those fans simply don’t tailgate and when they don’t tailgate, they don’t spend money. Empty land produces zero revenue. A fan‑friendly NEZ tailgating zone produces consistent revenue and improves the game‑day atmosphere at the same time.

The NEZ is the most logical place to do it. It’s close, it’s convenient, and it’s already where the majority of non‑pass fans park. UL just has to recognize the opportunity.

thats my opinion on all of this. I dont like talking about anyone, and maybe i shouldnt of done it, but this isnt Missouri so you cant treat it as such. That is all i am getting at.

As good as he was in some areas, he lacked in the other areas thats all i am getting at.

[Turbine]

Here are some ideas after I gave Copilot my suggestions, then I reedited the concept keeping my suggestions and tweaking the Ai ideas.

Here goes: Everything is FREE, all you need to be is a ticket holder.

However, how much free you get depends on your membership tier.

Tailgating membership starts with just game day tickets and culminates with the highest RCAF memberships. Those could include a valet transport with setup and teardown service.

Eliminate RCAF plus additional tailgating fees. Just RCAF membership. cost.

Build a tiered membership system where all tailgating spots are technically “free,” but higher tiers unlock better, earlier, or more guaranteed free access.

Lower tiers still get free access, just with more limitations.

The basic concept is “Free for Everyone, Priority for Members”

Every tier gets free tailgating access, but the quality, convenience, and certainty scale upward with RCAF membership.

You have a free Tier (Open Access) First‑come, first‑served in limited zones, no reservations, very basic just present game day tickets at the gate to Cajun Basin with a start time 4 hours before the game and a cut off time 2 hours before the game.

After that non RCAF members are directed to general parking where they can open their trunk.

Next is a Select Tier (RCAF Membership) early access windows and a slightly later access window, but one that limits traffic through the tailgating area close to gametime. Create the ability to reserve free spots in slighly better zones otherwise first come first serve with perhaps basic perks like trash pick up. but it is possible to get bumped down with late arrival.

Premier Tier (Higher RCAF Membership)
These have a guaranteed free spot same location every game. They have premium zones closest to stadium and reserved parking. UL could even offer setup/teardown assistance with access to certain exclusive events or a hospitality tent.

Finally an Elite Tier (Top level RCAF MEMBERSHIP with levels within this level.
“All‑Access Free” with private zones. Perhaps a concierge service. Storage for tailgating gear and the ability to offer guest passes to games.

People love “free,” but they love status and convenience just as much or more.

This creates an up swell.

Monetize priority, not the spot itself.

No one feels priced out, everyone gets something.

Easy to expand with perks, sponsors, or partnerships.

Just my suggestions with certain wording aided by AI subject to editing.

[Duckster]

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

Same. We should not underestimate the irregular kick off times negative impact on attendance or tailgating. Since we have little to no control of kick off times, administration needs to create a flex parking plan for fans. And if you want to tailgate off your actual tailgate of your truck while your kids or grandkids toss a ball nearby with you what's the harm in that? Those are the fans that will eventually spring for a permanent tailgate spot. Knowing where you will be parking relieves stress especially for a family with kids. Another thing, fans expect ticket and parking prices to rise over time. Just gradual small increases. Instead it seemed like prices jacked up by almost double on some things in a short amount of years giving sticker shock. If we had moved from SBC to AAC and was explained to fans why the revenues were needed ASAP would have been understandable. But this is capitalism in play. How much more will you pay for watching an SBC slate of games? Alot more? A little more or the same before you feel like you're being gouged for the same product? Obviously thousands opted out of going to games. The athletic dept really needs to conduct a fan survey monkey like it did on the stadium several years ago. There will be some nuggets of wisdom that come through to guide some better decisions.

[Turbine]

Someone that utilizes free spots today ... will be someday be a multimillionaire.

If they don't tailgate now ... they never will.

[Swamp]

Hud 4 AD

[Louisiana84]

Obviously, even AI understands the situation.

[Ragin9221]

Obviously, even AI understands the situation.

I just wish i was someone who was in the marketing or athletic department who was part of fan engagement , i would turn it on its head.

Do the opposite of what we are doing and we would probably do great.

Revamp tailgating, Make a bar and standing room only in the NEZ. Free tailgating in the NEZ parking lot and have it connect together. That way on gamedays you could walk up to the other side the opposite side of the NEZ get a drink, and head back to your tailgate spot, and could be used during games for people who come to socialize; also have TV’s so anyone who is around that area who just want to hang out, they can watch other games while your tailgating in that area.

You could take Turbine Idea, put the lower tier tailgating in the NEZ parking lot. Standing room only during the game in the NEZ.

[cjr3888]

I just wish i was someone who was in the marketing or athletic department who was part of fan engagement , i would turn it on its head.

Do the opposite of what we are doing and we would probably do great.

Revamp tailgating, Make a bar and standing room only in the NEZ. Free tailgating in the NEZ parking lot and have it connect together. That way on gamedays you could walk up to the other side the opposite side of the NEZ get a drink, and head back to your tailgate spot, and could be used during games for people who come to socialize; also have TV’s so anyone who is around that area who just want to hang out, they can watch other games while your tailgating in that area.

You could take Turbine Idea, put the lower tier tailgating in the NEZ parking lot. Standing room only during the game in the NEZ.

If you're putting this in the NEZ, where are you moving the RV spots?

[PetroCajunRunner]

Maybe at Missouri they treat fans as objects, but this is South Louisiana at a Sunbelt school. Lets be real i am glad Maggard is goin. He did more harm then good.

Understand he is the one that put UL in this deficit. I dont understand this fascination with the man. He ruined our athletic budget, and ruined the fan base.

Now he wants tuck tale and run or because he is not making the same salary okay.

Like do we have Stockholm syndrome or something?

There may be some valid points here, but you also have to acknowledge that we had BY FAR our best seasons in football while he was AD. He hired Billy Napier, and did what he had to do for Napier to be able to have a great staff of assistants around him. Sure, there's legit concerns that we never spring boarded that success into a larger fanbase. But if someone else is AD and doesn't hire Napier and work to get funds for that type of coaching staff, there's a pretty darn good chance that we're sitting here as Cajuns fans still never having witness our football team finish a season in the Top 25 polls and never having won a Sun Belt Conference Championship. Possibly no big upset win over Top 15 ranked Iowa State.

[Ragin9221]

If you're putting this in the NEZ, where are you moving the RV spots?

No keep the RV spots by the stadium, have a walkway leading from the NEZ hill leading down to the parking lot, on top of the NEZ underneath the scoreboard you put something like this! Have The Yard Goat, Legends etc. , i mean any bar in Lafayette to sponsor to get it built. I mean if i owned a business like that i would love to have my sign right there on game day!

[Cajunsmike]

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

One of the things they promote now is opening up Russo Park for people who don't have tailgating spots.

[Redbug58]

It appears that scoreboard has video on both sides. Looks like the people on the ground are watching. Put that in the north end zone and have it play some big national game before our game starts, for the tailgaters. The shaded bar underneath along with several layers of tiered areas would be a nice fit for our stadium.

[Redbug58]

It would be a nice addition to the Space X Sports Complex.