UL fan not a grad, but still an alum

Megan White, Daily Advertiser, Dec. 20, 2013

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John Oppenheimer calls himself an “alumnus by choice” of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.

Although he never attended UL, he has been a Cajuns fan and a member of the UL Alumni Association since he moved to Lafayette in 1982.

“I was in my 30s when I first moved here,” Oppenheimer said. “My first (Cajuns) memory is probably of a basketball game.”

Oppenheimer is a season ticket holder for UL football, baseball and softball.

Although he said he doesn’t do anything too crazy as a fan, he does wear some strange outfits to show his support for the Ragin’ Cajuns.

“I wear red pants, which my wife doesn’t particularly care for,” Oppenheimer said. “Crazy hats, things like that.”

His favorite football moment through the years has been the Ragin’ Cajun victory over the Texas A&M Aggies in 1996 when the Cajuns carried the goal post out of The Swamp.

On Saturday, Oppenheimer will ride an Alumni Association bus to and from the game to surround himself with fans and tailgating fun.

“I’m looking forward to a good game,” Oppenheimer said. “And of course, winning the game.”

The Ragin’ Cajuns have found a second home in New Orleans, and Tulane’s location won’t change that, Oppenheimer said.

“We look forward to playing you, we respect you, but it’s all UL,” he said. “It’s our home, New Orleans. Even though they are located there, it’s our home away from home.”