UL expands donor parking for 2012 football season

[Just1More]

We're going to crush Toolame.

I guess I get a big kick out of a jammed packed Cajun Field, so my attitude is... find your way of enjoying it. Find a way to deal with the parking. Find a way to deal with the traffic. Do what you have to do, but try and enjoy what we have building at UL. It's a little silly to look at how traffic is all over Lafayette these days, and somehow indict UL for having a temporary traffic jam around 30,000 to 40,000 people (including the tailgaters that don't go into the game) coming and going from Cajun Field.

Relax and enjoy it. It really isn't that bad. Oh, and park a little further away and walk. Most of you look like you could use it. I imagine your xbox kids could use it too.

[CajunFan3406]

Most of the responses to my post say something along the lines of "The heck with the causal fan, we shouldn't try to do anything to welcome or accommodate them." I don't care if fans have that attitude, but I sure as hell hope that's not the attitude UL has towards their fan base.

BTW the plan I laid out in my post will make MORE money for the university than their current plan while still accommodating the casual fan.

Rebel, I understand your point although I technically don't agree with it.

Being that I don't drive to football games, I will have a spare C-lot pass that I am looking to get off my hands. There is a slight catch though. PM me if you want more info.

[Boomer]

And ALAS----there will be the folks that want a ride to the game to avoid the parking fee to get inside the gate---Probably will come t-gate and not even go into the game!!!!

[raginWaldo]

I apologize in advance for the novel below but I've got way too much free time right now.

You are trying to make a case that there is a demand for more RCAF parking but that's simply not true. You don't get to see the stadium parking lots 1hr-30min before kickoff but we do. Those lots were way too empty last year. My best guess was that the RCAF spots were never more than 1/3 of the way filled. Even if all of the 600 new RCAF members joined at the $250 parking pass level (which most didn't) the old RCAF lots would still have free space left.

Let's just call this what it is. UL wants to create a bigger incentive for fans to join the RCAF at the $250 level. And they decided to block off the most prime parking spots at Cajun Field to create that incentive. I would expect to see a good number of $100 RCAF members jump up to the $250 level as a result. As an RCAF fundraising strategy it will work well.

But there will be a few negative consequences that will occur as a result of this new RCAF lot. The first of which is tailgaters will lose their semi-convenient parking spots. Tailgating is a big part of the atmosphere at Cajun Field and it's at least partly responsible for the great increases in attendance we've seen. My tailgating spot is made up of a decent number of about half big-time UL supporters and half casual fans and I would imagine that most other spots have the same makeup. Slowly but surely these casual supporters have turned into big-time supporters. Our spot continues to grow every year because some of these casual supporters turn into big-time supporters and invite their friends and family. Many of the "casual fans" we had when we started turned into season ticket holders and RCAF members. These casual fans are important to UL's growth and we shouldn't take them for granted.

With the all the west spots reserved for imaginary RCAF members the north and east parking spots will probably be completely filled by 11:00AM. That means that any casual fan who wants to come tailgate will have to park behind the Hiilton, over at the intramural fields, or at Blackham Coliseum. All three of those spots are anywhere from 1-1.5 miles from the tailgating spots on Bertrand Dr. Ever carry an ice chest or a tent or a bunch of chairs 1-1.5 miles? It's not very fun. And to add insult to injury these people will walk through a huge, empty parking lot while walking to their spot. It makes it really tough on the casual tailgaters we are trying to convert into big-time supporters.

UL also needs to consider the casual fans who have special needs and try to accommodate them. Older people aren't going to go if they can't park reasonably close to the stadium. Same thing goes for families with small children which is an especially important demographic for UL to draw in. We don't have the luxury to create artificial barriers for fans to overcome to attend a game.

We need to make it as easy, fun, and painless as possible for people to go to UL football games. The less barriers to attending you have the more people will want to come to games. Here's a really random example but I think it applies to this situation.

The United States has the lowest voter turnout of all nations at 48% while most other countries have turnouts in the 80%-95% range. The main reason for this is the fact that the US has many more barriers to voting than other countries. Here national, state, and local elections are held at different, seemingly random times throughout the year which means many people forget to vote or forget what they are voting for. They can be held on weekdays when everyone is too busy working. Polling places change constantly, have long lines, and aren't always convenient to get to. We also have to jump through hoops just to register to vote.

Meanwhile other countries schedule national voting holidays on the same day each year so you'll never forget when an election is taking place. Since it's a holiday people get the day off of work. Registration isn't even required and the larger use of internet voting and absentee voting make it incredibly easy to cast a ballot. Other countries have focused on eliminating barriers to voting and it's paid off really well for them.

Like these other countries we need to remove as many barriers as possible to fans wanting to attend a UL football game. I have some ideas:

1. Allow tailgate spot owners (who are already RCAF members) to purchase tailgating parking passes so their friends and family can park reasonably close to their spots and not have to lug food and equipment long distances.
2. Charge ($10-20 depending on demand) for parking inside the fences of Cajun Field. This will ensure that tailgaters with equipment to carry, families with small children, older people, or people who just don't feel like walking a long distance will be able to find a good parking spot at Cajun Field -- even if it's 15 minutes before kickoff.
3. Parking outside the fences should stay free so there won't be too big of a financial barrier keeping people away from the stadium. If you don't want to pay you don't have to. Ideally these lots should have a shuttle to help with the long trek.
4. Don't expand the RCAF lots until the demand is there to expand them. Blocking off your best parking spots for imaginary RCAF members will mean a loss of revenue (if you charge for parking) and is a slap in the face to the casual fan/tailgater who isn't willing to donate to the RCAF at the moment.

I think that as a struggling football program we need to focus on eliminating barriers to becoming a Cajun fan, not add to them. If UL implemented some of my ideas it would help grow our fan base instead of shrinking it like the new RCAF lots will do. UL should never take it's great fan support for granted. They should do everything they can to cultivate and strengthen it.

And now is a good time to announce that I, CajunRebel am announcing my candidacy for the position of Long-Winded Athletic Director / Parking Lot Guru. Vote for me!

I think a parking fee of $10 per vehicle would be more profitable and economical than the wipeout a whole parking lot for the RCAF Nazi's. and don't give me that derka derka x amount of money per month. If you purchase season Tickets for 1 or multiple sports, plus concessions, and anything else that comes up, that all adds up and not everyone has mass amounts of money to spend.

[RaginCajun08]

I am all for this "expanded RCAF parking". I just hope that we dont see 1 thing, a 1/2 empty parking lot at kickoff.

[duggie85]

I don't care either way because I will have a pass, but aren't there only like 1,000 ppl in the RCAF? There has to be way more parking spots than rcaf members on the west side.

This is pretty sad to think of the number of members this way....

[Bicky Rustle]

I apologize in advance for the novel below but I've got way too much free time right now.

You are trying to make a case that there is a demand for more RCAF parking but that's simply not true. You don't get to see the stadium parking lots 1hr-30min before kickoff but we do. Those lots were way too empty last year. My best guess was that the RCAF spots were never more than 1/3 of the way filled. Even if all of the 600 new RCAF members joined at the $250 parking pass level (which most didn't) the old RCAF lots would still have free space left.

Let's just call this what it is. UL wants to create a bigger incentive for fans to join the RCAF at the $250 level. And they decided to block off the most prime parking spots at Cajun Field to create that incentive. I would expect to see a good number of $100 RCAF members jump up to the $250 level as a result. As an RCAF fundraising strategy it will work well.

But there will be a few negative consequences that will occur as a result of this new RCAF lot. The first of which is tailgaters will lose their semi-convenient parking spots. Tailgating is a big part of the atmosphere at Cajun Field and it's at least partly responsible for the great increases in attendance we've seen. My tailgating spot is made up of a decent number of about half big-time UL supporters and half casual fans and I would imagine that most other spots have the same makeup. Slowly but surely these casual supporters have turned into big-time supporters. Our spot continues to grow every year because some of these casual supporters turn into big-time supporters and invite their friends and family. Many of the "casual fans" we had when we started turned into season ticket holders and RCAF members. These casual fans are important to UL's growth and we shouldn't take them for granted.

With the all the west spots reserved for imaginary RCAF members the north and east parking spots will probably be completely filled by 11:00AM. That means that any casual fan who wants to come tailgate will have to park behind the Hiilton, over at the intramural fields, or at Blackham Coliseum. All three of those spots are anywhere from 1-1.5 miles from the tailgating spots on Bertrand Dr. Ever carry an ice chest or a tent or a bunch of chairs 1-1.5 miles? It's not very fun. And to add insult to injury these people will walk through a huge, empty parking lot while walking to their spot. It makes it really tough on the casual tailgaters we are trying to convert into big-time supporters.

UL also needs to consider the casual fans who have special needs and try to accommodate them. Older people aren't going to go if they can't park reasonably close to the stadium. Same thing goes for families with small children which is an especially important demographic for UL to draw in. We don't have the luxury to create artificial barriers for fans to overcome to attend a game.

We need to make it as easy, fun, and painless as possible for people to go to UL football games. The less barriers to attending you have the more people will want to come to games. Here's a really random example but I think it applies to this situation.

The United States has the lowest voter turnout of all nations at 48% while most other countries have turnouts in the 80%-95% range. The main reason for this is the fact that the US has many more barriers to voting than other countries. Here national, state, and local elections are held at different, seemingly random times throughout the year which means many people forget to vote or forget what they are voting for. They can be held on weekdays when everyone is too busy working. Polling places change constantly, have long lines, and aren't always convenient to get to. We also have to jump through hoops just to register to vote.

Meanwhile other countries schedule national voting holidays on the same day each year so you'll never forget when an election is taking place. Since it's a holiday people get the day off of work. Registration isn't even required and the larger use of internet voting and absentee voting make it incredibly easy to cast a ballot. Other countries have focused on eliminating barriers to voting and it's paid off really well for them.

Like these other countries we need to remove as many barriers as possible to fans wanting to attend a UL football game. I have some ideas:

1. Allow tailgate spot owners (who are already RCAF members) to purchase tailgating parking passes so their friends and family can park reasonably close to their spots and not have to lug food and equipment long distances.
2. Charge ($10-20 depending on demand) for parking inside the fences of Cajun Field. This will ensure that tailgaters with equipment to carry, families with small children, older people, or people who just don't feel like walking a long distance will be able to find a good parking spot at Cajun Field -- even if it's 15 minutes before kickoff.
3. Parking outside the fences should stay free so there won't be too big of a financial barrier keeping people away from the stadium. If you don't want to pay you don't have to. Ideally these lots should have a shuttle to help with the long trek.
4. Don't expand the RCAF lots until the demand is there to expand them. Blocking off your best parking spots for imaginary RCAF members will mean a loss of revenue (if you charge for parking) and is a slap in the face to the casual fan/tailgater who isn't willing to donate to the RCAF at the moment.

I think that as a struggling football program we need to focus on eliminating barriers to becoming a Cajun fan, not add to them. If UL implemented some of my ideas it would help grow our fan base instead of shrinking it like the new RCAF lots will do. UL should never take it's great fan support for granted. They should do everything they can to cultivate and strengthen it.

And now is a good time to announce that I, CajunRebel am announcing my candidacy for the position of Long-Winded Athletic Director / Parking Lot Guru. Vote for me!

CR you are a small time thinker. If our admin thought like you we would never grow our program. You should move to one of those great countries that make it esay for you to vote if registering to vote is that difficult. Before we know it you will be saying people should not have to show an ID to vote.

[Just1More]

CR you are a small time thinker. If our admin thought like you we would never grow our program. You should move to one of those great countries that make it esay for you to vote if registering to vote is that difficult. Before we know it you will be saying people should not have to show an ID to vote.

Now you've done it... hold on to your seat... you're in for a wild ride.

[CajunFan3406]

Can we please keep this thread politics free? Please...

[Just1More]

Can we please keep this thread politics free? Please...

If everyone does.

[duggie85]

Now you've done it... hold on to your seat... you're in for a wild ride.

LOL!!

[HOUCajun]

Can you imagine the nightmare of collecting $ to enter the parking lot? I don't have change, Do you take checks, I just dropped my money in the seat cushion, Can I pay you in beer... etc etc etc. It would take all day to get 500 cars in the lot. RCAF= prepaid parking.

I think a parking fee of $10 per vehicle would be more profitable and economical than the wipeout a whole parking lot for the RCAF Nazi's. and don't give me that derka derka x amount of money per month. If you purchase season Tickets for 1 or multiple sports, plus concessions, and anything else that comes up, that all adds up and not everyone has mass amounts of money to spend.

[HOUCajun]

I am all for this "expanded RCAF parking". I just hope that we dont see 1 thing, a 1/2 empty parking lot at kickoff.

In past years I got 2 parking passes for my RCAF donations. I wonder if they will knock that back.

[MelRock]

In past years I got 2 parking passes for my RCAF donations. I wonder if they will knock that back.

Not according to the website. It looks like the giving levels are the same. I know I upped my giving so that I would have to passes.

[CajunT]

CR you are a small time thinker. If our admin thought like you we would never grow our program. You should move to one of those great countries that make it esay for you to vote if registering to vote is that difficult. Before we know it you will be saying people should not have to show an ID to vote.

+1 LOL!!!

[raginWaldo]

Can you imagine the nightmare of collecting $ to enter the parking lot? I don't have change, Do you take checks, I just dropped my money in the seat cushion, Can I pay you in beer... etc etc etc. It would take all day to get 500 cars in the lot. RCAF= prepaid parking.

Nightmare??? I'm pretty sure this is typically done at so many ball parks and football stadiums regularly across the US...its not that difficult.

[moorecajun]

Nightmare??? I'm pretty sure this is typically done at so many ball parks and football stadiums regularly across the US...its not that difficult.

I would think maybe secondary lots are collecting money but the primary parking lot should be permit only ... they are moving toward that.

[CajunRebel]

CR you are a small time thinker. If our admin thought like you we would never grow our program.

Care to explain how this makes any sense at all?

Finding ways to eliminate barriers to attendance is something that big time programs, especially professional teams, think a great deal about and do lots of research on. After all they all care a great deal about increasing attendance and maximizing the amount of revenue they generate from their parking spaces. They do studies on traffic flow and public transportation to and from the game. And more and more teams are doing things like change parking prices every hour based on supply and demand.

In my opinion not thinking about this stuff is small time not the other way around.

[Just1More]

Care to explain how this makes any sense at all?

Finding ways to eliminate barriers to attendance is something that big time programs, especially professional teams, think a great deal about and do lots of research on. After all they all care a great deal about increasing attendance and maximizing the amount of revenue they generate from their parking spaces. They do studies on traffic flow and public transportation to and from the game. And more and more teams are doing things like change parking prices every hour based on supply and demand.

In my opinion not thinking about this stuff is small time not the other way around.

I think our athetlic department has been giving serious consideration to parking... for everyone. However, giving special incentives to those that join RCAF is part of the "big-time" program systems. It isn't like UL doesn't care about everyone else. When we didn't have RCAF and those designated parking spaces, we still had people whining about parking and traffic. And that was when we didn't have many people attending games. It probably won't ever end no matter what UL does.

I don't disagree with you on the need for more studies and options available for every level of fan. But, even if there are empty "RCAF parking spaces" at kickoff... my take is that people will walk by with their wives and kids and when the wife asks "why did we have to park all the way in BFE with these spots available?"... old hubby can nut up and say, "you wanted those ugly shoes you're wearing... so we couldn't join RCAF". We need more Acadiana discussions like that one so that RCAF grows.

[CajunRed]

I think our athetlic department has been giving serious consideration to parking... for everyone. However, giving special incentives to those that join RCAF is part of the "big-time" program systems. It isn't like UL doesn't care about everyone else. When we didn't have RCAF and those designated parking spaces, we still had people whining about parking and traffic. And that was when we didn't have many people attending games. It probably won't ever end no matter what UL does.

I don't disagree with you on the need for more studies and options available for every level of fan. But, even if there are empty "RCAF parking spaces" at kickoff... my take is that people will walk by with their wives and kids and when the wife asks "why did we have to park all the way in BFE with these spots available?"... old hubby can nut up and say, "you wanted those ugly shoes you're wearing... so we couldn't join RCAF". We need more Acadiana discussions like that one so that RCAF grows.

About a +5