On the heels of a New Orleans Bowl win over San Diego State last year, fundraising is on the rise at UL.

According to Ragin’ Cajun senior associate athletic director Ken Winstead, the Ragin’ Cajuns Athletic Foundation (RCAF) annual fund "unrestricted dollars" total for 2011 was $700,000.

But already this year, with more than four months remaining, Winstead said Wednesday, the Cajuns have "topped the $1 million mark."

"That’s huge," Winstead said. "I can’t express what kind of support that gives our program, our student-athletes, our coaches.

"It’s just a big deal "» because that enables (athletic director) Scott Farmer (and university president) Dr. (Joseph) Savoie to make the decisions they need to make to continue moving this program forward."

Such financial support, Winstead suggested, is critical to the growth of UL’s athletic department.

"Whether you look at TCU, Boise State — programs that have been rise over the last 5-to-10 year — their programs grew when their annual funds grew," he said.

Also Wednesday, Winstead said football season-ticket sales for 2012 have hit the 9,600 mark.

That’s up from around 8,100 last year for the Sun Belt Conference-member Cajuns.

It’s also, by way of comparison, well above the record 6,000-plus total that officials at current-WAC/soon-to-be Conference USA member Louisiana Tech touted they had broken last week for a 2012 home schedule that includes an Aug. 30 season-opener vs. Texas A&M.

UL’s goal for this season remains 10,000-plus.

"The key two areas in moving your program forward "» in annual operating budget," Winstead said, "is your annual fund and your season ticket base, and we’re well on our way in doing that."