Monday, Dec. 17
10 a.m.-6 p.m. — UL ticket office open, Cajundome, 444 Cajundome Blvd.
Cajun fans have until 6 p.m. Monday to purchase tickets through the UL Ticket Office, information is available at (337) 265-2170, Cajun fans who have purchased tickets must pick them up by 6 p.m. Thursday or they will be taken to New Orleans for pickup there
Tuesday, Dec. 18
Noon (approximate) — East Carolina team and traveling party arrive, Hilton Riverside, 2 Poydras St.
12:45 p.m. — UL team and party “Cajun Walk” starts near UL Athletic Complex walking on Reinhardt Drive toward Soccer/Track Complex (public invited)
Fans can see the Cajuns off to New Orleans as the team reprises its traditional “Cajun Walk” featured prior to every UL home game
1 p.m.— UL team and traveling party depart Lafayette, Reinhardt Drive (public invited)
3:15 p.m. (approximate) — UL team and traveling party arrive, New Orleans Marriott, 555 Canal St.
Fans already in the Crescent City may join the bowl and hotel staff in welcoming the Cajuns to New Orleans, with beads and a brass band on hand
3:30-5:30 p.m. — East Carolina practice, New Orleans Saints practice facility, 5800 Airline Drive, Metairie (first 15 minutes open to media, interviews following practice)
6-8 p.m. — UL Athlete Party, Rock ’N Bowl, 3016 Carrollton Ave. (traveling party and media only)
The legendary Rock ’N Bowl, a New Orleans institution like no other, hosts the Ragin’ Cajuns for a night of food, bowling, karaoke and entertainment
Wednesday, Dec. 19
7-9 a.m. — “Thinking Out Loud” radio show (Sports Radio ESPN 1420) with Steve Peloquin and Dan McDonald, Second Floor, New Orleans Marriott, 555 Canal St.
11 a.m. — UL women’s basketball team vs. Tulane, Devlin Field House, Tulane campus (UL fan and traveling party bus provided, departing New Orleans Marriott at 10:15 a.m.)
1-3:15 p.m. — UL practice, Tad Gormley Stadium, City Park, 5400 Stadium Drive (last 30 minutes open to media, brief interviews following practice)
2-4 p.m. — “Bird’s Eye View” radio show (Sports Radio ESPN1420) with Jay Walker and Gerald Broussard, Walk-On’s, 1009 Poydras St.
3:30-5:30 p.m. — East Carolina practice, New Orleans Saints practice facility, 5800 Airline Drive, Metairie (first 15 minutes open to media, interviews following practice)
6-8 p.m. — East Carolina Athlete Party, Rock ’N Bowl, 3016 Carrollton Ave. (traveling party and media only)
The legendary Rock ’N Bowl, a New Orleans institution like no other, this time hosts the Pirates for a night of food, bowling, karaoke and entertainment
Thursday, Dec. 20
7-9 a.m. — “Thinking Out Loud” radio show (Sports Radio ESPN 1420) with Steve Peloquin and Dan McDonald, Second Floor, New Orleans Marriott, 555 Canal St.
10:15 a.m.-3 p.m. — Media credential pick-up available, Mercedes-Benz Superdome Gate A
10:35 a.m.-12:15 p.m. — UL practice, Mercedes-Benz Superdome (last 30 minutes open to media)
Media should park in front of Gate A Ground Level, credential or photo ID required
Noon-1:30 p.m.— Media Day/Luncheon, Mercedes-Benz Superdome Bunker Club
Media lunch at noon, East Carolina coach & player interviews 12:30-1 p.m., UL coach & player interviews 1-1:30 p.m.
1-3 p.m. -- East Carolina practice, Mercedes-Benz Superdome (first 15 minutes open to media)
1:30-2:30 p.m. -- UL Community Outreach, Ochsner Hospital, 1516 Jefferson Hwy., Jefferson
UL’s senior class will represent the team in its annual hospital visit
1:30-4 p.m. — UL team and traveling party visit Aquarium of the Americas, 1 Canal Street
The Cajuns take a break from game preparations to visit one of New Orleans’ premier attractions, following their visit to the World War II Museum during last year’s bowl
2-4 p.m. — “Bird’s Eye View” radio show (Sports Radio ESPN1420) with Jay Walker & Gerald Broussard, Walk-On’s, 1009 Poydras St.
3-4 p.m. — East Carolina Community Outreach, Ochsner Hospital, 1516 Jefferson Hwy., Jefferson
7-8 p.m. — Mark Hudspeth Radio Show (Sports Radio ESPN 1420) with Jay Walker, Walk-Ons, 1009 Poydras St.
9 p.m.-until — Ragin’ Cajuns “We’re Back!” Parade sponsored by MidSouth Bank, begins at New Orleans Marriott, 555 Canal St. and goes to Bourbon Street
UL’s Pride of Acadiana marching band will lead fans from the Marriott to Bourbon Street “second-line” style, fans are encouraged to bring Mardi Gras beads to throw while walking in the parade
Friday, Dec. 21
7-9 a.m. — “Thinking Out Loud” radio show (Sports Radio ESPN 1420) with Steve Peloquin and Dan McDonald, Second Floor, New Orleans Marriott, 555 Canal St.
10:15 a.m.-3 p.m. — Media credential pick-up available, Mercedes-Benz Superdome Gate A (moves to Marriott prior to luncheon)
Noon-2 p.m. — R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl Luncheon, New Orleans Marriott, 555 Canal St.
This year’s luncheon features Hall of Fame quarterback Warren Moon as guest speaker; both teams and travel parties will be on hand and bands, cheerleaders, mascots and dance teams from both schools will welcome their teams and perform; tickets are $40 and are available through the New Orleans Bowl office at (504) 525-5678, must be purchased in advance. Information available at www.neworleansbowl.com; media who have not picked up credentials may do so at the luncheon.
TBA— UL walk-through practice, Mercedes-Benz Superdome (closed to public & media)
TBA — East Carolina walk-through practice, Mercedes-Benz Superdome (closed to public & media)
2-4 p.m. — “Bird’s Eye View” radio show (Sports Radio ESPN1420) with Jay Walker and Gerald Broussard, Walk-On’s, 1009 Poydras St.
3-5 p.m. — Ragin’ Cajun Fan Fest sponsored by Home Bank, New Orleans Marriott, 555 Canal St.
Cajun fans will gather at an open reception featuring live music by Roddy Romero and the Hub City All-Stars, complimentary beer, soft drinks and water available, Cajun fans who have not picked up Will-Call tickets may do so at the Fan Fest
5:30-8:30 p.m. — R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl Friday Night Concert, Champions Square adjacent to Mercedes-Benz Superdome, Beach Boys and Bad Company
The bowl’s second annual Friday night concert takes a quantum leap forward with performances by America’s quintessential band The Beach Boys, and one of the most acclaimed bands of the classic rock era in Bad Company with Brian Howe; gates open at 5 p.m. Cajun fans will be provided bus transportation from the Marriott to Champions Square from 6-9 p.m.; pick-up in front of the Marriott and drop-off in front of Champions Square on Poydras. Food and drink will be available for purchase
5:30-8:30 p.m. — Media party, Bud Light Tent, Champions Square adjacent to Mercedes-Benz Superdome
Credential required, media who have not picked up credentials may do so at the tent during the concert, cocktails and appetizers available
Saturday, Dec. 22
7:30-10:30 a.m. — Rouse’s Ragin’ Cajun Tailgate Party, Rouse’s Parking Lot, 701 Baronne St.
Cajun fans invited to a pregame tailgate party with live music by Sammy Kershaw and food and drink specials available
8 a.m. — Press box opens, media credential pick-up opens, Media Entrance, NW Garage No. 6, Mercedes-Benz Superdome (photo ID required)
8:30-10:30 a.m. — RCAF/Alumni Association Tailgate Party sponsored by IberiaBank and Cox, Bienville Room, Mercedes-Benz Superdome (enter Gate C)
Cajun fans are invited to a pregame tailgate party hosted by the Ragin’ Cajuns Athletic Foundation and the UL Alumni Association, with live music provided by Krossfyre and food and drinks available for purchase; admission is free to all RCAF 2012 Annual Fund donors and current Alumni Association members and $10 for all others (bracelets to be given at Gate C, game ticket required for admittance to the Superdome and no exit and re-entry allowed after entering)
9-10:30 a.m. — R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl Tailgate Party, Champions Square, Mercedes-Benz Superdome
The bowl’s official tailgate party features live music by Band Camp just outside the Superdome, with food and beverages available
9 a.m. — Youth Empowerment Program, Mercedes-Benz Superdome
All youths age 6-12 are invited to a free youth program which also includes a free game ticket and a show titled “Positive Thinking” by Rhythm and Soul, a dance group featured on “So You Can Dance,” along with theatre workshops and craft sessions; information available from Lauren Bertrand at the bowl office at (504) 525-5678 or at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
9:30 a.m. — Mercedes-Benz Superdome gates open
Tickets will still be available for purchase; Cajun fans who have not picked up will-call tickets may pick those up at the Will-Call Window at Gate D
11:05 a.m. — 12th Annual R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl, Mercedes-Benz Superdome
The bowl game moves to a daytime slot this year courtesy of ESPN, which airs nationally at 11 a.m. with Beth Mowins, Joey Galloway and Quint Kessenich; also airs nationally on ESPN Radio
Postgame — Ragin’ Cajun Party Central locations
Cajun fans are invited to gather and enjoy food, fun and fellowship at The Beach, 227 Bourbon Street; Bourbon Cowboy, 241 Bourbon Street; Rita’s Tequila House Tex-Mex Grill, 419 Bourbon St. and The Swamp, 516 Bourbon St.
JUNE 19 Former Saint Steve Gleason, who is paralyzed by ALS, released a statement Tuesday in response to the Atlanta radio station's skit making fun of him and the disease, this Picayune post reports. What did he say? He said he'd accepted the apology of the DJs who did it, notes that at least the incident has got people talking about ALS, and asks anyone who is burning to take action about it to do so -- by helping him fight ALS.
JUNE 19 Blogger Ian McGibboney takes a look at the Gleason incident in this post. He makes a good argument about the difference between having free speech and being free from consequences for your speech (which none of us is). He also admits that many of us got upset before we listened to the skit -- but lets us know that the reality is far worse than we can imagine. It was the incredibly bad judgment, even more than the actual speech, that probably got those DJs fired, he opines.
JUNE 19 Washington Post blogger Aaron Blake writes about Sen. Guillory's switch to the GOP in this post. He writes what most political watchers in Louisiana know: Guillory was a Republican before he decided to run for the senate seat in a mostly-D St. Landry district, and has switched back now that he plans to run for Lt. Gov. in a mostly-R state. But how come Blake missed Guillory's appearance on a TLC pageant show? Now that is a video we'd like to see. (Again).
JUNE 19 Here's another Washington Post blog post about a Louisiana politician, and it's just plain scathing. Ezra Klein says Jindal's Politico post was "insulting" to the intelligence of voters, and adds that Jindal is personifying the "stupid" he's railed against, by being an "elite" who convinces GOP activists of "things that aren't true." Me-ow.
JUNE 19 Here's Gov. Jindal's post in Politico, in which he asks the GOP to get over losing to Obama (again) and stop "the bedwetting." (Uh, what?) He gives his Republican buddies what is probably a nerd's idea of a coach's motivational talk, which starts with a list of accomplishments that they can't seem to exploit and ending with an absurd description of liberals that sounds like a character treatment for a Fox "News" movie scripted by Gordon Liddy. Sure, he's preaching to the choir, but even the choir's not this gullible.
JUNE 19 Lamar Parmentel read Gov. Jindal's post on Politico, but thinks it was so dumb it probably was published in the wrong paper. This post by Lamar on the Daily Kingfish opines that possibly Jindal's post was destined for the Onion -- because the governor couldn't possibly be serious here. If you listen closely, you can hear the staff of the Kingfish giggling.
JUNE 19 Blogger Robert Mann posts from Turkey, a country he has visited several times in the past few years. Mann gives an interesting overview of the current political and societal climate of the country, which -- if you're living under a rock and don't know -- is experiencing protests and turmoil these days. Mann promises to post as much as he can during his trip, which should be fascinating reading.
JUNE 19 Blogger CB Forgotston says the legislature is keeping the vicious cycle going with its funding of new buildings for the community college/technical college system. Universities across the state need maintenance and improvement on existing buildings, and the solution is to build new buildings at other schools? By the time the bonds are paid off, those buildings will be falling down, too, CB says.
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