Redzone Blog: Cajun’s Fans Set Example

Louisiana’s Ragin’ Cajuns Basketball team traveled up to Monroe to face Sun Belt rival ULM in the final game of the regular season. The Cajuns traveled a small contingent of fans to the game and in true UL tradition they made their presence felt throughout the night.

Last nights game in Monroe was the regular season finale for the ULM and UL basketball teams. The Cajuns were looking to run their winning streak to 11 straight games, 10 straight in the Sun Belt Conference and it was also “Senior Night” for the Warhawks.

For the first time in ULM’s program’s history, two seniors were honored and a former Warhawks great number was to be retired at halftime. The university would also honor former women’s tennis great Mary Amie, who is currently the principle of Katherine Drexel Elementary in Lafayette.

But with 1,600 in attendance, the night belonged to the Ragin’Cajuns basketball team and their fans. From the opening tip, a contingent of Cajun fans that included UL President Dr. Joseph Savoie, Athletic Director Scott Farmer, Former Governor Kaleen Blanco and Charlie Moncla, owner of Moncla Industries loudly cheered their basketball team. During the game, Cajun fans exchanged rants and cheers with the ULM band, and at times stood up and danced to their music.

With a little over 8:44 left in the first half, the Cajuns pushed their lead on the court to 20-11 and led through the first half. Cajuns fans would continue to chant louder during timeouts and ULM’s free-throw attempts during the rest of the first half.



At half-time, ULM’s honored former Indian great Glynn Saulters, retiring his jersey No. 12, the first to be retired in the history of the program. Saulters gave a wonderful speech about his playing career and his personal faith, which drew laud applause from all in attendance, including Cajun fans.



ULM would also honor four others at half, including former women’s tennis great Mary Amie. Amie, currently the principle at Katherine Drexel Elementary in Lafayette received a loud ovation from the section dressed in red. Mrs. Amie acknowledged the laud applause from Cajun fans with a wave and would later stop by the section of Cajun fans to personally thank them for their show of support before the beginning of the second half.



In the second half, ULM would cut the Cajun lead to six points in the first two minutes. But that was as close as the Warhawks would get to UL, as the Cajuns made a 10-0 run over the next three minutes and never looked back.

As the buzzer sounded at the end of the game, the score board read Cajuns 61, Warhawks 46. After the teams shook hands, the UL team walked over to the section of Cajun fans dressed in red and as is tradition sang the alma mater with them.

On the way out of the seating area Cajun fans exchanged a few hand shakes and laughs with members of the ULM band over their friendly verbal jousting during the game.

After the game there was talk of ULM starting a new tradition amongst fans and in the local media. Back in Lafayette today, there was no such talk about UL because as witnessed last night in Monroe, the Cajun’s tradition is alive and well.