Thursday, February 24, 2011

Louisiana-Lafayette - 2/24/11

LAFAYETTE, La. - It's seems strange to say, but this is the final regular season road trip of the 2010-11 season.

The team practiced in Hamilton Gym yesterday morning, boarded a bus to DIA and flew through Houston before arriving at the not-so-large Lafayette Airport around 6:30 p.m. After checking into the hotel, the team walked down the street to a restaurant.

People ask about these towns we go to, and it's always a little funny to hear the players describe them. The players spend almost all of their time at the hotel or the arena with perhaps a restaurant thrown in, if they don't just eat at the hotel. Sometimes, they wander to a nearby convenience store for snacks. Other than that, though, most of the players couldn't tell you much about Lafayette, La.

If one were to describe the polar opposite of Denver, this city might come to mind. While Denver is a Mile High, Lafayette is all of 36 feet above sea level with swamps just about everywhere you look.

There's even a swamp just outside ULL's student union, where a deck is built for students to eat while alligators swim below them. More than a few people we've told that to don't believe us, but I assure you that it's true.

The temperature outside right now is 80 degrees, and the humidity is exponentially higher than Colorado.

The growth of this town is pretty amazing. The city's population has risen nearly 10 percent in the past decade. After Hurricane Katrina hit in 2005, more than 14,000 people took refuge in the Cajondome, right where the Pioneers are currently shooting around.

About Louisiana-Lafayette - The proper name of the school is the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. People around here, including our good friend and the well respected voice of the Ragin' Cajuns Jay Walker, like to refer to it simply as the University of Louisiana, and they even tried to change the name in the 1980s. However, according to the school's own website, "A subsequent act of the Louisiana Legislature nullified that name change."

Furthermore, they prefer you not call them simply Lafayette, because they don't want to be confused with the school in the Patriot League, which used to feature Denver associate head coach Mike McKee on its coaching staff.

Generally, we try not to repeat a school's notable alumni from year to year. However, when a school can boast Richard Simmons, like Louisiana-Lafayette can do, certain bloggers would find that impossible to avoid.

Other famous graduates of this institution are Richie Cunningham (the former Cowboys kicker, not the beloved character alongside Fonzie) and Ali Landry, the former Miss America and Dorito girl.

Finally, I was informed that current ULL left-handed pitcher and team captain Taylor Hubbell is dating Heather Morris of Glee. Rumor has it that he's currently in the bullpen, but his sudden star power might catapult him to the starting rotation soon.

Yearly travel totals:       
Total Flights, regular season only - 17

Total Mileage by Air, regular season only - 14,260

Total Mileage by Air, including Spain - 24,238

Total Mileage by Bus, regular season only - 1,379

Total Mileage by Bus, including Spain - 2,754

Total Number of Hotels - 11

Total Number of Different Airports - 11

Total Number of Airline Delays - 1

Total Number of Cancelled Flights - 0

Total Number of Bags Lost This Year - 2

Total Number of Bobby Boucher and Waterboy References Since Landing in Cajun Country - Too Many to Count


No comments:

Post a Comment