RCAF has record-breaking year

The Marsh
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LAFAYETTE – Fueled by record-setting capital gifts and sellouts of premium seating at both Our Lady of Lourdes Stadium and M.L. “Tigue” Moore Field at Russo Park, the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns Athletic Department and Ragin’ Cajuns Athletic Foundation (RCAF) announced that $20.7 million was raised during the 2024-25 fiscal year.

The total marks the second-highest fundraising number in school history, behind only the $29.88 million generated in 2020-21 – a year that was boosted by contributions from Our Lady of Lourdes, LHC Group, and the Myers Family.

In what was the most successful year on a comprehensive scale, the RCAF secured 100 major gifts of $25,000 or more, including 37 exceeding $100,000. Membership also grew by 15 percent, surpassing 3,300 members.

“We are extremely grateful for the financial support provided by countless individuals during this record-setting year,” Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Dr. Bryan Maggard said. “Support of this magnitude clearly reflects the importance of Ragin’ Cajuns Athletics to Lafayette, the Acadiana region, and the state of Louisiana."

During the 2024-25 fiscal year, the RCAF played an essential role in completing major facility enhancements, including the replacement of football turf at Our Lady of Lourdes Stadium and the renovation of the Lamson Park softball clubhouse. The RCAF also supported more than 25 fundraising and stewardship events, strengthening connections with donors and the community.

The official fundraising arm of Louisiana Athletics, the RCAF remains committed to building relationships that provide critical resources to enhance the student-athlete experience. Member contributions help offset annual scholarship costs, support capital projects such as new and renovated athletic facilities, and bolster sport-specific operating budgets.

Current RCAF capital projects include:

  • A new clubhouse for Ragin’ Cajuns Baseball

  • New scoreboards for Our Lady of Lourdes Stadium, Russo Park and the Home Bank Soccer and Track Complex

  • A new short-game facility for Ragin’ Cajuns Golf at Oakbourne Country Club

  • Renovations to the Culotta Tennis Complex

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Someone is doing something right, impressive at least at this point.

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Awesome news. Congrats to the admin and RCAF team, that’s big time.

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Now THAT’S what I call good news reporting!

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Now let’s get the Rcaf independent from the tentacles of our University

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Never gonna happen my man. Especially with revenue sharing being a thing now.

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This article is complete propaganda. lol.

We’ve never been more in debt and TJoe being pushed out (along with JLL and half the admin staff) is plenty of proof. It’s nice that after 15 years in existence the RCAF finally starting finding someone to donate, but this is false hope. Sorry to be the messenger on this.

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Bro, they will never completely separate it entirely from the UL Foundation. It will always be a subsidiary of the UL Lafayette Foundation. They fear anything that can become similar to TAF. Raised those questions for a number of years. And was told to pound rocks more or less.

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I’m happy to see the number of RCAF members has risen. Still not where it needs to be, but at least there appears to be an increase in the numbers. I had been told we were only around 2000 -2500 in the past.

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I will beat this drum with my next donation. Snakes don’t die by cutting off the tail. Our present system is antiqued and needs to go the way of the dinosaurs

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3300 is the word. There needs to be a push for younger graduates at the $50 to $100 level. Young people can start as they advance in their careers. The benefits will not be great, but at least send them athletic information via email and mail. Updates and news.

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Good for them. I’m sure a lot of these donations were for the new stadium. I’ll tip my cap some more if they can pull these numbers next year.