Louisiana Ragin' Cajun fans began raising questions for the last month and a half on the current update in renovations to M.L. "Tigue" Moore Field.

Louisiana's baseball stadium is set for a complete renovation, from upgraded seating and suites, to top of the line fan amenities.

When the Cajuns season ended in June, some in the fanbase grew curious as to why visible construction had not gotten underway.

As questions grew, many were awaiting a statement.

Earlier today, RCAF (Ragin' Cajun Athletic Foundation) chairman Robert Daigle and executive director Jim Harris sent the statement to RCAF members.

The same statement was sent to Diamond Club members, with signatures from Daigle, Harris, Louisiana Director of Athletics Scott Farmer, and Louisiana baseball coach Tony Robichaux.

Dear Ragin’ Cajuns Baseball Fans,

We are pleased to inform you that the M.L. “Tigue” Moore Field renovation and expansion are underway. The project has been years in the making, and is now months away from completion.

The Lafayette-based firm Abell + Crozier + Davis Architects, Inc., designed a larger, more modern facility in consultation with DLR Group, whose staff has designed seven of the Top 10 college baseball stadiums in the country, according to College Baseball Daily.

The initial construction budget and fundraising goal was about $10 million. After reviewing alternatives and getting additional input from our student-athletes, coaches and fans, the design evolved into a more prominent stadium with added features.

The enhanced design increased the cost to about $16 million, which could have delayed the project until additional funds were raised. After exploring multiple options, a decision was made to move forward now, secure bridge funding to help cover the increased cost, and renovate the stadium this year.

We anticipate the “Wow!” factor will prove worth the wait and significantly benefit the Ragin’ Cajuns and our fans next season and for many seasons to come. The revamped stadium will be one of the best facilities in the nation for competing, practicing and recruiting.

The improvements also will reward the nation’s best fans. Though the “Tigue” lacked some amenities of modern stadiums, our fans created a unique and fun baseball environment that consistently ranks among top college programs for attendance. Our new stadium will make it even better.

As construction progresses, the Athletics Department and the RCAF will continue to meet with potential donors to raise the remaining funding needed for the stadium renovation. Soon, the next phase will kick off to seek even broader financial support from our fans and the Acadiana community.

For their help in keeping this important project moving forward, we thank the Ragin’ Cajuns Athletic Foundation Board, the UL Lafayette Foundation Board, Ragin’ Cajun Facilities, Inc., the UL System Board of Supervisors, and MidSouth Bank.

We will do our best to keep you informed of the stadium’s progress and other Tier 2 projects of the Athletics Facilities Master Plan. As always, we appreciate your support.

We look forward to seeing you for an exciting 2017 baseball season in the stadium that our student-athletes, coaches and fans deserve. Geaux Cajuns!

Robert Daigle
Chairman, Ragin’ Cajuns Athletic Foundation

Jim Harris
Executive Director, Ragin’ Cajuns Athletic Foundation

Scott Farmer
Director of Athletics

Tony Robichaux
Head Baseball Coach

 

So what next? Jay Walker shares his thoughts, From The Bird's Nest.

 

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