Football: Ragin’ Cajuns visit patients at Lafayette General Medical Center – photo gallery included

Anastasia Semien, Daily Advertiser, Dec. 17, 2013

Athletic Network Footnote:
Click here for photo gallery of visit to Lafayette General Medical Center.

Anastasia Semien, The Advertiser 

The University of Louisiana at Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns football team spread holiday cheer as they visited patients at Lafayette General Medical Center Monday.

Head coach Mark Hudspeth said it was only right to give back to the community at this exciting time for the team and university. The team takes on Tulane University in the R � L Carriers New Orleans Bowl Saturday.

“We just want to give back to this community that’s supported us so outstanding this year. We’ve had such great crowds, great fan support,” he said.

Torrey Pierce, a sophomore running back, said this was his second time to visit patients. The team has done it for three years in a row.

“It’s always good to give back to the community and help the patients get well, give them a little holiday spirit and give them some encouragement to help them get out of the hospital,” Pierce said.

“I know it’s a big thing being in the hospital around the holidays. It might be a good present to come in and uplift their spirits,” he added.

Last year Pierce met someone around his age suffering from kidney issues. He said that encounter stuck with him.

“When we went in and talked to him, I just saw a big smile on his face,” Pierce said. “I saw that his spirit was just uplifted; it seemed like it just made his day.”

Brooks Haack, a redshirt freshman quarterback, visited newborns and their mothers last year.

“They go out there every week and cheer us on and they’re always behind us, and anytime you can give back to the community and come to a place like this where people really look up to us, it only warms your heart,” he said.

Christina Joseph, who gave birth to her daughter Casi Saturday, said it did the same for her.

“It feels like they’re showing support to the people,” Joseph said.

She called being a mom a blessing and hopes to go home with her daughter, who weighs 5 pounds, Tuesday.