“Ragin’ Cajuns Ever After” is the theme of this year’s Homecoming at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.
“It reflects all the success that University athletics has enjoyed,” said Joelle Boudreaux, Homecoming 2014 chair. “It’s been a great year.”
The Ragin’ Cajuns won their third consecutive R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl in December, the men’s basketball team earned a berth in the NCAA Tournament in March and the men’s tennis team won the Sun Belt Conference Championship in April. The Ragin’ Cajuns softball team made the school’s sixth appearance at the Women’s College World Series in May, the same month the baseball team was named the nation’s unanimous No. 1 team. CBS.com ranked UL Lafayette 34th in its Best in College Sports ranking in July.
Homecoming Week is filled with traditional events – and a few new ones – intended to draw alumni and supporters to campus. Activities will culminate with the 4 p.m. gridiron battle on Saturday, Nov. 1, between the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns and the South Alabama Jaguars.
“There will be plenty of events and activities for the community the entire week, from Sunday through Saturday, from bowling to golf and tennis tournaments to the Allons Manger Food Truck Roundup,” Boudreaux said. “We’re excited. We want Ragin’ Cajun fans to come out and wear red to show their support and spirit, and to have fun.”
The Food Truck Roundup is a new event that was added to help kick off Homecoming 2014 Week from the Alumni Center, Boudreaux said. “It offers a central location for everyone to gather around and enjoy a great lunch with lots of options.”
Nine food trucks will sell their specialties at the Alumni Center, 600 E. St. Mary Blvd., from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 27. They are Kona Ice of Acadiana, Rice Kings, Chef Gregory, Cajun Flavor Cooking, Mad LuAnn's, Blanchard’s Barbeque, Cakin' it to the Streets Dessert, The WOP Wagon, and the Bus Stop.
Some basketball fans will take a quick road trip to New Orleans on Tuesday, Oct. 28 to celebrate Elfrid Payton’s “homecoming.” It will be the first time Payton, former Ragin’ Cajuns basketball player extraordinaire, will compete in Louisiana since being drafted by the Orlando Magic in the first round of the NBA draft earlier this year. The Magic will face the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans. The event was coordinated by the UL Lafayette Alumni Association and the New Orleans Ragin’ Cajun Club.
Traditional Homecoming events that lead up to Homecoming Day include Ragin’ Cajun Bowling from 4-6 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 26 at Lafayette Lanes. Teams of six people will bowl, and attendees can enjoy 1970s music and refreshments.
Paint the Town Red contests for Lafayette businesses and schools also are planned. A panel of judges will choose the most spirited businesses and schools on Tuesday, Oct. 28 and Thursday, Oct. 30, respectively.
Judges for Paint the Town Red are: Brett Baer, former placekicker for the Ragin’ Cajuns; Robert Harris, King Rob Productions; Ken Judice, BancorpSouth; Kip Judice, Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office; Bruce Mikells, 97.3 The Dawg; Hans Nelson, BIG 102.1; Jenn Nelson, BIG 102.1; Gail Savoie, UL Lafayette; Kassie Stoute, Sodexo; and Tracy Wirtz, KATC TV3.
Steve Oubre, a Lafayette architect, will be honored by the UL Lafayette Alumni Association Thursday as this year’s Outstanding Alum. The 1976 graduate is a co-founder of Architects Southwest, which specializes in new urbanism and campus planning. The Village of River Ranch in Lafayette is an example of new urbanism. It’s based on the concept that neighborhoods should be places where residents can walk to retail businesses, offices and recreational facilities, and enjoy a sense of community.
Oubre designed the University’s Walk of Honor, designed the expansion and renovation of Dupré Library on campus, and guided the University’s Master Plan for campus growth and development that was adopted last year.
Dane Adams, president of the Student Government Association, said Homecoming is one of his favorite times of the year.
“I love how Homecoming pulls the University together, whether it’s the float building by student organizations, or the many ways the community shows its support, including by attending the Homecoming game to get behind the football team and the University,” he said.
The Yell Like Hell Pep Rally is set for 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 30. Fans will gather at Cajun Field to show their support of the Ragin’ Cajuns.
On the Homecoming agenda Friday, Oct. 31 are a tennis tournament and the Bill Bass Open Golf Tournament. The University Wind Ensemble’s annual Homecoming Concert will be a treat Friday night, since it falls on Halloween. It will feature fairy tales, fables, and haunting stories. Concert-goers are encouraged to dress in costumes.
Homecoming Day begins with a Ragin’ Road Race at the Alumni Center, followed by an open house at the Alumni Center from 9 a.m. to noon.
The Homecoming Parade will roll at 10 a.m. It will start at Blackham Coliseum. A float carrying the Homecoming queen and her court will stop in front of the Alumni Center long enough for a toast by UL Lafayette President Dr. Joseph Savoie.
Fans can register to win a Ragin' Cajuns-themed golf cart. The Ragin’ Cajuns Athletic Foundation Golf Cart Raffle drawing will be held at halftime of the Homecoming game. Online ticket sales end on Thursday, Oct. 30, but raffle tickets can be purchased for $10 on game day at a tent near the ticket office at Cajun Field.
Kickoff of the contest between the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns and the South Alabama Jaguars is set for 4 p.m. at Cajun Field.
Learn more about Homecoming events at Louisiana.edu/homecoming.