There’s a renewed buzz around the UL Ragin’ Cajuns football team this fall as first-year head coach Mark Hudspeth has led the team to an 8-3 record, a perfect record at Cajun Field and a postseason bowl berth.

But the excitement isn’t just manifesting itself in the form of higher attendance and more enthusiasm. Local business owners say they have noticed a definite increase in the number of people buying UL merchandise as they enjoy the team’s success.

"They’ve always had good, dedicated fans, but you can tell that there are some folks that have decided they are not just going to sit back this year," said David Faulk, owner of Louisiana Hot Stuff. "We’re seeing people who are excited about what’s going on, in addition to the die-hard fans who have been with them through the tough years."

Louisiana Hot Stuff co-owner Linda Faulk said items that have sold particularly well are T-shirts and apparel for women and girls, as well as merchandise fans can use in tailgating.

"Flags have been really big. We also have a lot of gift items that are doing well," Linda Faulk said. "We’re selling ice chests, pom-poms, cheerleading outfits. We’re constantly having to order new things. It’s amazing what winning has done for them."

Ken Seibold, manager of Bell’s Sporting Goods, said he has been especially impressed with the large number of fans who have continued to buy UL items regularly throughout the season, rather than only at the beginning of the year or for more important games.

"One thing we’ve really noticed is that when people are coming in, instead of buying just one garment, they’re buying multiple garments. That’s been a significant change," Seibold said. "Instead of buying one polo, they’ll buy two. A husband will buy something for his wife, or they will buy things for their kids."

Seibold said UL-related polo shirts have been especially popular, as well as T-shirts and caps.

"The nice polos, the dressier ones, are really doing well," he said. "We’ve also had a lot of people buying the coaches’ sideline apparel. We have shirts available for people to wear that look almost identical to what the coaches are wearing, and people really respond to that."

At the bookstore in UL’s Student Union, Director Tim McFarland said he has seen more of a mixture of customers, ranging from students to alumni and members of the general public.

"It’s been somewhat amazing," McFarland said. "We’ve had more than we ever had in terms of people from the public who are coming in. If we play a home football game, it gets busier and busier here as the week goes on. We also sell at three different locations at the stadium on Saturdays, and sales have been great there as well."

While sales do tend to increase in connection with home games, Linda Faulk said this season she has noticed more fans who want to sport their Ragin’ Cajun pride regardless of the significance of that week’s game.

"Even when the Cajuns are off, people now want to wear red on Fridays, so we’re seeing more people coming in on Thursdays, whether the team is playing or not," she said. "We’ve always done well with our Cajun merchandise, but it’s amazing what winning has done for them. Everybody wants to support them."

Seibold said he expects the excitement to continue at least through the end of the year as the Cajuns head to their first bowl game since 1970.

"It’s just been wonderful. Our sales are good, but it’s even more wonderful for Lafayette and the people around the university," he said. "It’s great for the whole community and the businesses that handle their product in Lafayette."