Good Ole’ College Days!
I’ll never forget the first time I visited Lafayette, LA I fell in love with it! I loved the culture and the people were so kind, the food was the best I had ever tasted, and I can’t forget to mention the nightlife was incredible! I immediately knew that’s where I wanted to spend the next four years of my life.
So, I packed up my bags and headed out!
I met my some of my best friends at UL Lafayette, cheered on the Cajuns from the sidelines and joined a sorority! I didn’t miss out on anything! I enjoyed ever minute of my time in Cajun Country! I could go on and on about my college days!
But I want to know… How you decided which college you were going to attend? Was it the nightlife? Academics? Scholarships? extracurricular activities or friends?
By the way the Princeton Review just released its list of top party schools (sorry all you LSU fans… you didn’t make the list).
Penn State was the #1 party school… and coming in at #19 was Tulane University!
I’ve got a question: What the *$%# do a bunch of bookworms from Princeton know about partying in the South??? They obviously have never dared to venture to Baton Rouge on a Saturday night under the glow and festive atmosphere of DEATH VALLEY…filled with a capacity crowd.
As for the “nightlife” in good ol’ Lafayette, do you care to elaborate a little on that topic Ms Coile??…lol!! Did you ever go over to Angelle’s Whiskey River Landing in Henderson (out by the levee) and dance on the bar (it STILL gets packed on a Sunday afternoon..lol)?? I remember when they would basically corner off most of Breaux Bridge for the Crawfish Festival. Then there was “Scandals” and “Poet’s” (Tenacious Tuesdays..lol!!). There’s always a party…always good music…always good food…and a lot of friendly people down there. I LOVE Acadiana!! And, NO, I didn’t go to ULL…I just happened to have a few family members in the area; and a lot of good friends. Although, I don’t get down there as much as I once did; but I’m looking forward to changing that real soon. While some of the “hotspots” have come and gone, and the nightlife landscape has changed some; it’s STILL a great place to visit…or live!!
Oh yeah, even though it’s Northwest of Lafayette, I remember me and some of the guys rode up to this little place in Mamou called “Fred’s”, where they broadcast this Cajun music radio show on Saturday mornings. The show kicks off with a Cajun band playing at 7:00 A.M. While I was in there, I noticed that the BAR WAS OPEN…AT 7:00 A.M.!!(LOL) So, not to look so much like I tourist, I did what any respecting local would do…ordered a round of beers!! There was this lil’ 60-y/o lady carrying around shots of “Hot Damn” schnapps…when she came around to you, you HAD to take a shot and shout “Aiiiiyeeeee…HOT DAMN!!” I’m NOT a schnapps drinker; but we polished off that lil’ ol’ lady’s first bottle…lol!! Once the radio show was over, we moved the party over next door into this other bar called the “Brass Rail”. By the time we made it back to my friends house in Lafayette, his wife basically unplugged the coffee pot and pulled out a pitcher of Bloody Marys since we were “already going”…lol!! This was all during Mardi Gras season. So another friend of mine, who was a DJ at the time, had his sound system hooked up. The grills and smokers were going full blast. And the neighborhood revelers were congregating in the backyard…my friend lived just off Johnston along the parade route…perfect location!!
I could go on and on…but I’ll stop for now!!..lol!!
Oh, I almost forgot…did you say something about academics and scholarships???…lol!!
Comment by Bada Bing | July 28, 2009
My college decision was one I put off until the very last second. I had already been accepted to go to school in the top schools in Texas, but I always wanted to play college football wherever my dad was coaching. He was looking for a new coaching job in the Spring of 1999… when to my surprise, he was hired by Jerry Baldwin at USL. To be honest, initially I was pretty bummed out about going to school & playing football in Lafayette. WHY? I grew up (1st grade - 7th grade) in Ruston, LA while my dad was coaching football @ LA Tech… and I hated the Ragin Cajuns. The field there was always muddy and it always rained. (Neither are good for a Wide Receiver)
That hate quickly changed to love during my recruiting visit. I was an innocent 18 year old Texas boy, partying it up with Cajun girls on “The Strip”… and loving me some USL. Not to mention, the food was unbelievable (note: Old Tyme Grocery poboys and Deano’s pizza) and the people were very welcoming. I committed to the Ragin Cajuns that recruiting weekend in the summer of 1999. Both me and my old man were fired up.
Two months into my freshman year, they changed the name of the university from USL (University of Sexy Ladies) to ULL (University of Lovely Ladies). FACT: No town in Louisiana has better looking college girls than Lafayette. Cajun girls… take a bow.
To this day, I thank God I ended up in Lafayette. Got to play every college football game in front of my dad… and my college experience was awesome. Great friends, great food, great memories. Especially getting the opportunity to tutor brilliant blondes in World History 222.
Tell me Chrissi, who was Hitler? ;-D
Comment by E.Bartel | July 28, 2009
The minute I stepped on the Louisiana College campus, I knew I was meant to go there. It was my junior year and my youth minister took a group of us for Spring Preview Day. My mom went too, and fell in love with the beautiful campus. I loved how the college president came up to everyone there and introduced himself to us and asked us where we were from. When I returned a year later as a senior for Fall Preview Day, the President remembered me! The small school was perfect for me since I came from a small high school. I did consider other schools, but LC was the only school I applied to for admissions. I loved how Jesus is the main focus on campus! Everybody who lived on campus knew each other. I loved cheering for the wildcats. I married a basketball player from LC whose mother and father was also a cheerleader and basketball player there, just like us! I recieved a wonderful education and really enjoyed my 4 years on campus! I truly believe Louisiana College is the best kept secret in Louisiana! I am very proud to be a member of the class of 1999 and just recently became President of the LC Ark-La-Tex Alumni Chapter! You will definetly know my car on the road because I have front and back LC plates! GO WILDCATS! BEAT CENTENARY! (DIII ATHELTICS IS NOT INTRAMURALS!!!)
Comment by Christie Leachman Mitchell | July 28, 2009
Hey Chrissi,
Didn’t you go to another college before ULL and didn’t you cheer there? Wasn’t it BPCC? Seem to recall you were active on the Student Government Association there also. Can you name your favorite advisor??
Comment by M.Harper | July 28, 2009
I ended going to USL (yes, I’m old!) because two of my best friends were going. I had been accepted to the University of Missouri, LSU, etc. I absolutely loved USL and Lafayette! I had so much fun and yes good food. Loved my time there and would love to live in Lafayette! Great city!
Comment by Jackie Martin | August 3, 2009
Hay i was wondering i dont know how you guys choose the children for the 3 minute smile, if you dont mind could you to the best of you ability please choose my cousin because i wanted to do something really special for him. His name is Kevin Easter and could you help me and choose him please you would make me and him feel good showing him that i do care about him.
Comment by Marquis Musco | October 12, 2009