Spotlight on the Athletic Network – from concept to reality – its mission and practices

Spotlight on the Athletic Network

Ed Dugas, Coordinator  

Communicating with website viewers in a timely manner is a challenge even in the best of circumstances. Occasionally, stories move from the top of the news into the "more news" designation and viewers who had not logged-on during that period are unaware of the story.

Through news stories, announcements, newsletters, personal emails, creating new links, and other measures, attempts have been made to reach all viewers while being cognizant that not all viewers log-on each day.  

During December, 2010 special efforts will be made through the spotlight feature to provide information about the workings of the Athletic Network from our perspective, as well as answer questions submitted by viewers…those who own the Athletic Network. Hopefully, this blend will produce a greater understanding of the Athletic Network and all it contains, as well as its potential.

Media sources, personal documentation, L’Acadiens, media guides, team guides, record books, and other publications of the university, have provided information which has been placed in the news (24/7), photo galleries (almost 50), History of UL Athletics, alphabetical listings of teams and support groups by year, search engines, etc.

The blend of postings from the past, current, and future is our attempt at relevancy to all of our viewers. Having all the photos and information at your fingertips 24/7 is one of the ways in which the AN attempts to communicate with viewers.  

To facilitate a greater awareness of the Athletic Network, during the month of December, viewers may email athleticnetwork@louisiana.edu  with questions about the vast postings and how to access this information – or any other questions one may have. Some of these will be added to the question/answer section of this story (which has an additive feature) and remain open-ended throughout December, 2010. Of course, viewers may email questions to the AN at any time.

The Genesis of the Athletic Network can be viewed by clicking http://athleticnetwork.net/site5.php     This link entitled "About the Network" is located in the upper right of the home page and provides background information on how the idea of an athletic network was conceived, nutured, and developed.

The mission of the Athletic Network is "to identify, locate and communicate with former athletes and their support groups." For the system to work effectively, it is important for individuals in the above groups to participate and accept the responsibility for their Athletic Network profile.

Also, hundreds of viewers are communicated with on a regular basis to clarify captions for pictures, provide information on teammates, confirm historical information, etc.  Ownership of the Athletic Network is really that of the former/current athletes, their support groups, and FAN (Friends of the Athletic Network). One may receive the complimentary electronic newsletter by clicking on the "Become a Fan" in the upper right of the home page and emailing the Athletic Network. It is a unique service offered by the AN to any Ragin’ Cajun fan.

Frequently asked questions: (please email your questions during the month of December, 2010)

1. When did www.athleticnetwork.net go on-line?
August 28, 2002 at a press conference and unveiling ceremony at Cajun Field. Click here for photo gallery of the event  http://athleticnetwork.net/site6.php

2. What is the relationship between www.ragincajuns.com  and www.athleticnetwork.net ?  www.RaginCajuns.com  is the official website of UL Athletics and www.athleticnetwork.net seeks to enhance the mission of ragincajuns.com. The two sites contain each other’s logo and are somewhat integrated in that viewers on one of the sites can be taken to the other by clicking on the logo of the other. The key to both sites promoting UL athletics to the greatest extent possible is the manner in which they compliment each other. To our knowledge, no other university has this arrangement.

3. Was www.athleticnetwork.net  the first UL website for athletics?
No, www.ragincajuns.com existed years before the AN. However, there was a period when www.ragincajuns.com was experiencing growth problems and was upgraded to the present host. During that time the AN served as both websites. On March 9, 2007 the updated www.ragincajuns.com become operational again. Click here and scrolldown for the story by Dan McDonald on "Monday launch begins new area for UL online" http://athleticnetwork.net/site.php?pageID=55&profID=2861      
John Dugas is the webmaster of www.ragincajuns.com and was also a member of the founding team which designed the AN.

4. If www.ragincajuns.com is the official website of the university, is www.athleticnetwork.net approved by the university?
On May 2, 2002 Dr. Ray Authement, at a meeting with Ed Dugas and Liz Landry approved the concept of the UL Athletic Network. Ed, John, and Liz worked with Firefly Digital on a functional design to meet the variety of needs. The task of populating the website was begun immediately by John Dugas and continued throughout the summer until the website went on-line on August 28, 2002.   

5. How is the Athletic Network funded? 
The AN is most fortunate to have sponsors who cover the operational expenses of the AN. Their banners appear when viewers click away from the home page. Please show your appreciation to these sponsors as they provide this website to viewers at no charge and are loyal supporters of the university. Thank you. Please click here for a listing of the AN sponsors http://athleticnetwork.net/site29.php

6. How is the Athletic Network staffed and who comprises the staff?
Initially, John and I were the staff, then other volunteers came on-board. The largest group of volunteers is the Captians Network. These are former players/support group members who volunteered to help identify/communicate with former participants about the Athletic Network. Click here to view their networks  http://athleticnetwork.net/site151.php 

During 2004-2005 Paul Bergeron, former SLI student (1939-41)from Abbeville, conducted research in L’Acadiens for the 1930s and 1940s. In 2005, student Kyle Kellner was assigned through the Schlorship Office and that practice has continued. Most of the photo gallery has been processed through the student workers and John Dugas. Although John had worked part-time for athletics since 1994, he became full-time in 2006 and his role with the AN was reduced. Jeremy Perron, Computer Science major from Mamou, has been with the AN since September 2006 and has utilized his talents and dedication to add thousands of photos to the almost-50 photo galleries.  

In 2005 Jeff Chambers of Perfect 10 Photography assisted with pictures at home football games, along with others who provided pictures during that year. Frank Babin began helping with tailgating pictures (and some on the field) in 2006 and the high-quality of his pictures can be seen in the tailgating links of home football games since that time. We are most appreciative of our volunteer staff. There are many others who contribute in various and sundry ways to the mission of the AN and these continue to be explored and, where possible, expanded.

In the fall of 2009, Bruce Brown accepted the responsibility of writing the monthly Spotlight on Former Athlete feature, which had been done by Ed Dugas since the feature was started in June, 2007. Bruce spotlighted Andrew Toney in his first feature for January, 2010.

7. What department at the university houses the Athletic Network operations?
The Athletic Network operations were initially housed in the Board Room office of the Alumni Center, but shortly after the AN became operational, the former Alumni Association Presidents requested that the room be returned for their use. While the office allowed the AN the efficiency of meeting with people on the campus during the establishment of the website, it was difficult to function in that setting. When the telephone was in use, it was not possible to go on-line with the computer and vice versa.

To meet the growing demands of the website, the entire AN operations were moved to my home office so it could be given needed attention 24/7. Having retired from the university in 2001, it seemed to be a more functional arrangement in which to continue the voluntary coordination of the AN.  At this time, most of the AN tasks required use of the computer. I continue to go to the campus on a weekly basis and attempt to schedule those visits around other on and off-campus appointments. This arrangement has allowed us to grow the AN without using university resources.   

Our major sponsor and host is Firefly Digital (Mike Spears and Bill Dalton, two former UL cheerleaders)and they have provided excellent professional service since first approached about a possible design for an athletic network. Many departments are essential to the function of the AN and these are communicated with on a regular basis. They including Athletics, Advancement, Alumni, Development, Foundation, Scholarship, Printing Services, Louisiana Room Dupre Library, Student Union, Public Relations & News Services, and Financial Aid. Click here for those university departments or offices which have established mutual links with the AN http://athleticnetwork.net/site49.php 

8. How does one have an obituary of a former athlete placed on the Athletic Network?
Viewers, friends, relatives, etc., have provided the AN with timely news of serious illnesses and deaths of former athletes which allows us to communcate with the family to provide this information to teammates and friends. Please email athleticnetwork@louisiana.edu if you have information to provide in this area. An obituaries received after a death is added to the AN profile and teammates are emailed.

The above information usually leads to a newsletter (target group), posting in the news, and later the information is moved to the AN profile of the deceased. Later, if scholarships are established at the university, the AN assists in promoting this item.

Click here for the Nelson Stokley AN profile which contains life highlights, obituary, and endowed scholarship announcement http://athleticnetwork.net/site.php?pageID=55&profID=2536

Click here for the Steve Brackin AN profile which contains information similar to that of Nelson Stokley
http://athleticnetwork.net/site.php?pageID=55&profID=8182 

9. What is the major involvement of the AN with former athletes?
Other than starting and updating profiles on a daily basis, assisting with the reunions is major.
The AN assists when requested and has posted photo galleries for recent reunions. Football has Gridiron Alumni & Past Ballplayers Association; Baseball has Alumni Weekend; Men’s Basketball has scheduled "Basketball is Back"; and Track & Field is having their second annual reunion…all in the Spring of 2011.
GIA also has activity year-round and has their own website at http://gridironalumni.ning.com/   
Click here for the photo of GIA pavilion http://www.athleticnetwork.net/site.php?pageID=1102
Click here for photos of the 1982 Football Reunion http://athleticnetwork.net/site313.phpClick here for photos of the 1982 Football Reunion      

Click here for links to the Football Reunions http://athleticnetwork.net/site274.php      
Click here for links to the Baseball Reunions http://athleticnetwork.net/site209.php
Click here for links to the Men’s Basketball Reunions http://athleticnetwork.net/site211.php
Click here for links to the Track & Field Reunions http://athleticnetwork.net/site281.php

Please contact Ed Dugas at athleticnetwork@louisiana.edu if you would like assistance in promoting a reunion of your team or support group. We can do special newsletters, provide information, etc.  

* * * * * * * * * * * * * 
 
Our rich athletic traditions were intrusted to the vision, hope, loyalty and dedicated of these former athletes and we will forever owe them a debt of sincere gratitude.  May God Bless each of them and their families. 

Anyone with information, materials, pictures, memorabilia, etc., of the university’s former athletic program participants is requested to contact Ed Dugas at athleticnetwork@louisiana.edu   Thank you.

The Photo Gallery Link located on the left side of the home page at http://www.athleticnetwork.net contains over 10,000 pictures of former and current athletes and support groups.  Just click on photo gallery and when the menu appears, click on the sport or support group you wish to view. The years of pictures posted for that team or group will appear and you may click on the year you wish to view. One click on a thumbnail picture or narrative and it is enlarged; a click on the enlarged photo and it reverts back to the thumbnail.

The Athletic Network seeks to post pictures of each team and support group for each year they represented the university.

 

The stories of the 2009 and 2010 honorees featured in the Spotlight on Former Athletes are still included in the News Page and may be viewed by clicking on "more news" at the bottom right of the News Box, scrolling down, clicking on the title of the story. Those spotlight features which are no longer shown in the News Page, have been moved to the Lagniappe Link of the "History of UL Athletics" located on the left side of the home page.

The Spotlight on Former Athletes announcement has also been placed in the profile of each honoree, excluding the pictures.

 

The 2010 features of the Athletic Network’s "Spotlight on Former Athletes" include:
January – Andrew Toney Men’s Basketball 1976-80.
February – Orlando Thomas Football 1991-94.
March – Rocky Guidry Football 1990-93, Track & Field 1991-94.
April – Track & Field Network & March 20, 2010 1st Annual Track & Field Reunion.
May – Keisha Ray Owens Williams Track & Field 1991-96.
June – 2000 College World Series Baseball Team.
July – Thirty Years of UL Softball.
August – 1970 Cajuns Measured Up (Football).