A seven-city bus tour of coaches for Louisiana’s Ragin’ Cajuns and members of the Ragin’ Cajuns Athletic Foundation made its way to Crowley Wednesday night.
Guests got a glimpse into the future of athletics during an intimate social at Crowley City Hall. UL Lafayette President Joseph Savoie was among the night’s presenters.
“ Athletics is the front porch of a university,” he said. “Our programs and facilities can make an impression on people who might not otherwise know about the university.”
Scott Farmer, associate athletic director, detailed the progress and goals of athletics during a slideshow presentation.
“ We’re trying to give coaches the facilities they need to recruit and we’re also trying to give the athletes what they need to succeed as well,” said Farmer.
Facility improvements include the renovation of softball’s Lamson Park. This includes doubling the seating capacity and creating an exclusive club suite along with onsite team offices and meeting rooms. Other facility improvements include a new field house with locker rooms, team offices and concessions at the soccer and track complex. A preliminary rendering of changes to Cajun Field was also presented.
These renovations are being made with help from the Ragin’ Cajuns Athletic Foundation.
“ You can’t just wait for greatness to happen, you have to plan for it,” said John Bordelon, president of the RCAF. “And, we have a great plan.”
Bordelon urged everyone to contribute to the future of athletics by joining the RCAF. In addition to facility improvement, the RCAF is raising money to endow scholarships for student-athletes.
“ By endowing donations for scholarships, we are securing our future in athletics,” he said.
Last year, the RCAF’s annual fund drive resulted in more than $500,000 in donations. Contributions to the RCAF can be made in a number of ways including cash, credit card, payroll deductions, matching gifts, gifts in-kind, endowments and planned gifts.
The next stop on the bus tour will be in New Iberia at the Sliman Theater on April 22. That stop will be followed by a trip to Houston on April 24 and a stop in Abbeville on May 5. Other stops in Baton Rouge and New Orleans are being scheduled.
For more information on the tour or to make a donation to the RCAF, call (337) 482-5393.