Football: Hundreds of UL fans fill French Quarter for pre-Bowl parade

Kris Wartelle, The Advertiser, December 18, 2014

 

VIDEO: UL fans, UL band, and cheerleaders parade through the French Quarter

PHOTO GALLERY: UL Fans Parade Through French Quarter

 

It started off quiet but, as they do every year for the R�L New Orleans Bowl, Ragin’ Cajun fans packed the historic French Quarter for a night of pre-game celebration.

Light rain fell here and there, but not enough to scare fans away on the first night of what promises to be the driest night in the big easy over the next 48 hours.

One Lafayette family was ready to hit Bourbon Street, but there was a twist. University of Louisiana at Lafayette graduates Melissa and Kendall Johnson, were actually in New Orleans to cheer on their son, Kendall, who plays football for the University of Nevada.

"Yes, we are here to see him play," said Melissa Johnson. "He went to St. Thomas More High School, but we both went to UL."

Fans lined Bourbon Street and painted the French Quarter red with Ragin’ Cajun spirit. The UL band and cheerleaders led the crowd off with a rousing start in front of the Marriott hotel on Canal Street.

UL fan Mark Miller said he has been to several bowl games in the past few years and wouldn’t miss the chance to see the Cajuns rock the French Quarter.

"I love seeing the pride of Louisiana march down Bourbon Street," Miller said. "It’s a real treat."

Garland Rodriguez is what you might call a super fan.

He said as a former student of the university and Ragin’ Cajun supporter, he is always ready to join the UL parade through the Quarter — no matter the weather.

"All the UL fans do the second line through the Quarter and it just shows the spirit of the university and the team," he said. "This Bowl has changed the culture of the athletic department. It’s wonderful."

See a video of the parade online at theadvertiser.com