Athletics: Donations to Ragin’ Cajun Athletic Fund set record

The Advertiser, Associated Press, June 1, 2014

A fan wears a "Mission Omaha" shirt while watching UL play Jackson State Friday, May 30, 2014, during the NCAA Division I Baseball Regional Tournament at M. L. "Tigue" Moore Field in Lafayette, La. Jackson State won 1-0.(Photo: Leslie Westbrook, The Advertiser)

University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletic Director Scott Farmer says the Ragin’ Cajuns Athletic Fund has raised a record $1.4 million in donations this year to supplement the school’s athletics budget.

Farmer says the school’s athletic department does "so much with so little," citing as one example last week’s softball victories against Arizona and Texas. He says the two schools dwarf UL’s $18 million athletics budget with $90 million and $170 million, respectively.

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"In order to continue to compete, we’re going to need to grow that budget," Farmer said. "And we’re going to ask you for help."

Farmer outlined plans Thursday to continue to grow Cajun Field with the contributions it gets from the athletic fund.

He said successful and well-funded athletic programs can help attract more businesses to the Lafayette area.

"An athletic department with its related activities and its facilities can help seal those deals," Farmer said. "It’s just another way we can give back."

The successes of the school’s athletic programs include securing five Sun Belt Conference championships, a third R�L Carriers New Orleans Bowl football title in three years, an NCAA March Madness basketball tournament appearance and a No. 1 nationally ranked baseball team.