NEW ORLEANS — It was late in 2010, and UL had a high-profile job to fill.

When he spoke with Mark Hudspeth about then-vacant UL head football coaching position, university president Dr. Joseph Savoie made at least one thing abundantly clear.

"I remember during the interview with Coach Hud I told him, ‘This community just wants a winner, and they will support you if you produce,’ " Savoie said.

One year later, Hudspeth — his 8-4 team preparing this week play San Diego State in tonight’s New Orleans Bowl at the Superdome — can believe it.

But Savoie, UL’s president since 2008 and a former UL student with longstanding professional ties to the university, knew all along.

"People have wanted a winner for a long time," he said minutes after the Ragin’ Cajun received their first bowl bid since 1970.

"We’ve got one," Savoie added, "and they’ve really come out and supported the team and the university, and we’re very pleased with that, and very thankful for that."

UL has sold more than 18,000 tickets itself to the New Orleans Bowl, which is expected a crowd in excess of 30,000.

The Cajuns also shattered their own home attendance record this season, averaging 29,171 in five games — all victories at Cajun Field in 2011 to top the old mark by nearly 4,000.

And when New Orleans Bowl officials came to Lafayette to extend their invite in person on a Monday night in November, more than 3,000 fans were on hand to watch.

What cannot be measured, however, is the exposure provided UL’s first postseason game since the 1970 Grantland Rice Bowl against Tennessee State in Baton Rouge.

However much it is, though, lends credence to Savoie’s belief that intercollegiate athletic serve as "the front port of the university."

"It gives people an opportunity to take a look at you, and to judge you," he said.

"That draws attention, and that can enhance academic pursuits as well."

Savoie believes firmly in studies suggesting athletic success typically can lead not only to potential higher enrollment but also added donations to, and investment in, both a university’s athletic and academic endeavors.

"These have been kind of difficult years for higher ed in the state," he said, "with budget cuts and people wanting to maybe let go of a few things."

Savoie, however, suggested the Cajuns have offered a boost to the local economy.

After hearing from owners and/or operators of local restaurants, hotels, apparel-sales outlets and even gas stations, not to mention knowing his own box office’s bottom line, he is convinced of that.

"We need that little jolt in the arm," Savoie said, "and this team has provided that."

And while the Cajuns have spent their first season under Hudspeth pulling not only figuratively but also literally on a rope that binds, the UL president sees a school that has come to do the same.

"This whole theme of not letting go of the rope and fighting through adversity, and putting forth your best effort," he said, "I think has inspired not only the fans and the community but university people as well that you can succeed if you work hard and you stick with it and you do everything you’re supposed to do.’