Louisiana Football Opponent to Offer Free Concessions on Game Day

This weekend those few remaining basketball fans in the state of Louisiana will watch other teams compete for NCAA Championships. No, the LSU Women aren't included this year, and neither or the men. The best Louisiana could do in basketball this year was a nice win for McNeese State in the NCAA opening round. But other than a few LSU victories from the women's team this year's basketball season ended with a mushy-like thud.

College baseball and college softball are also up and running. Those sports always draw well because the state's major universities, LSU and UL-Lafayette always field good teams in both sports. But if we are really talking about what drives passion and participation in sports in Louisiana then you have to be speaking of football.

Now, over in Baton Rouge, attendance doesn't seem to be an issue. The Tigers have no trouble filling that stadium no matter who comes to play. In Lafayette, the scenario is a little different. The Ragin Cajuns, who are currently undergoing a major stadium renovation, don't regularly sell out their Saturday games.

That's kind of a shame because the brand of football played at Cajun Field is really good, in fact, the Sun Belt Conference as a whole has stepped up the brand of football it plays. However, it's still not the SEC and that means sometimes needing a gimmick to get fans to come experience the product firsthand.

One Sun Belt school, a regular opponent for UL's Ragin Cajuns may have just upped our "$2 Natty Light Deal". The folks at Coastal Carolina have announced that this year, for all home football games, fans won't have to pay for concessions at all.

That's right fans can download the concessions app and be treated to hot dogs, nachos, popcorn, and fountain drinks as part of their game day admission. If you want specialty drinks or alcoholic drinks you will have to pay for those. But basically, the basic snacks you'd find at a football game are now part of your ticket.

The brain trust at Coastal Carolina says it's a way to say "Thank You" to the fans who have supported the team in the past. I think it eliminates one more reason for folks not to go. I also believe that once fans get a glimpse of the brand of football being played in the Sun Belt, they'll stick around and watch and even pay for a hot dog next time.

I still think the $2 Natty Lights at Cajun Field are the best concession deal out there, but then again I am biased and the food we serve at Cajun Field often requires cold beer, so there.