Great article @geauxnick!
While we look at these cuts, I think we need to dive deeper, the issue isn’t just the lack of staffing, it’s a systemic failure in how we’ve managed athletics, engaged our community and fundraised for the long term.
To build a sustainable program, we have to address the elephants in the room:
The Value Disconnect: Right now, the price point for tickets and tailgating are out of sync with the value the community attributes to them. When the cost of attendance doesn’t align with the fan experience, you don’t just lose revenue; you lose trust, engagement, and the home-field advantage that makes Cajun culture so special.
Transactional vs. Relational Fundraising: For too long, athletics has operated on a transactional model, treating fans like a static revenue stream instead of nurturing deep, consistent relationships. Donorship isn’t just a tax-deductible line item; it’s an emotional investment in our cULture. We need consistent, year-round engagement that makes every donor/fan feel like a partner, not just a customer being asked to write another check.
The Donor Pipeline: Look around Our Lady of Lourdes Stadium on a Saturday. Our donor base is heavily reliant on an aging demographic of loyal, long-time season ticket holders/donors. We have completely missed opportunities to cultivate the next generation of fans who will step up to support athletics.
Neglecting Our Future: Building that next generation of donors starts right now, and it begins with two crucial groups. First, the children of current fans. If our environment and pricing structures price out young families, we are killing the family traditions that breed lifelong loyalty. Second, our current students. These are our future alumni and future season ticket holders. If they aren’t made to feel like a vital, welcomed part of UL athletics while they are on campus, they aren’t going to open their wallets when they graduate.
Athletics is the university’s primary “front door,” and short-changing it while also pricing out the everyday fan is a losing strategy. We need a leadership approach that prioritizes long-term community relationships and generational sustainability as much as it does the immediate bottom line.
