re: Is Louisiana Tech a Sleeping Giant?

Well, Tech's already a hell of a school. Let's not ignore ULL as a national university either, because their computer science program is awesome. I wouldn't look at Tech as some sort of "threat" to LSU academically either, but more of a partner, as the current LSU chancellor has recognized. One thing to be said of Tech is that the administration is EXTREMELY efficient and they've invested what little money they've had, damn well.

Athletically? Well, I'm a big Tech fan and booster, and I see the huge potential, but I'm not going to say we're there just yet. We have a lot of work to do, but we've had to deal with a pitiful athletic administration for a decade until now. We have spent over $76 million trying to improve our facilities in the past 2 or 3 years, and are dumping $20 million on our football stadium now. The new practice facilities are going up once we clear out some old dorms we don't use anymore that are in the way, and we're building a brand new softball stadium within a year or two. New videoboards are going up in the Thomas Assembly Center as well. The future is pretty bright now that the new administration has motivated the billionaire alumni we have, and people like Terry Bradshaw and Jimmy Johnson have stepped up now. Did you know Jimmy Johnson actually helped us hire Coach Dykes?

We're already pretty much up there academically, and the cooperation will help LSU and Tech both grow together as anchors of North and South Louisiana, with ULL's niche programs growing too. Academically, I WANNA say we're going to be a threat, and we are the most likely team in the state to make noise outside of LSU, but honestly we just have to see in a few years. LSU fan support exploded in North Louisiana in 2003 and the apathy in our program had disheartened people sooooo badly that it's going to take more success to pack the stadium consistently again. I think it can happen, and I'm doing every single thing I can to make sure it does, but we'll just have to see. There's plenty of talent and there are plenty of resources in Louisiana to support two major programs in the future anyway, so I can fathom a LaTech and LSU competing to make each other better. That would keep some of the big-time recruits home that normally are leaving for B-12 and other SEC schools and enhance Louisiana football even more. I'm sure casual fans in North Louisiana would like to have a local major team too.

Okay I just rambled on like crazy. Athletically we have big potential and will shock people in the next few years, but it remains to be seen just how far we will be able to get for the long haul.

(Okay 4 or 5 UL-X fans on here, flame away.)