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Southwestern Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns

Louisiana–Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns
Logo
University University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Conference Sun Belt Conference
NCAA Division I FBS
Athletic director Bryan Maggard
Location Lafayette, Louisiana
Varsity teams 16
Football stadium Cajun Field
Basketball arena Cajundome
Earl K. Long Gymnasium
Baseball stadium M. L. Tigue Moore Field
Mascot Cayenne
Nickname Ragin' Cajuns
Fight song Ragin' Cajuns Fight Song
Colors Vermilion and White
         
Website www.ragincajuns.com

The Louisiana–Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns (branded as the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns) are the athletic teams of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. The college has been competing athletically since 1901. The Ragin' Cajuns compete in NCAA Division I, fielding 16 varsity teams. The University of Louisiana at Lafayette, was once known as the University of Southwestern Louisiana, this was just prior to the adoption of the nickname "Ragin' Cajuns," using it initially in the 1960s to refer to its football team. Prior to the 1960s, the team nickname was the "Bulldogs". In 1963 then–football coach Russ Faulkinberry changed the nickname of the football team from "Bulldogs" to "Ragin' Cajuns," a nod to the school's location in Acadiana. By the 1970s, the athletic department, sports information director Bob Henderson, and the student body picked up on the nickname. As published in the 1974 football guide, the nickname became official that year.

Founded in 1901 as Southwestern Louisiana Industrial Institute (SLII), the school is believed to have been known as the Bulldogs then. The Bulldogs nickname persisted when the school was renamed as Southwestern Louisiana Institute (SLI) in 1921. In 1960, the school became University of Southwestern Louisiana (USL) and in 1962 the nickname was changed to the Raging Cajuns, then shortened to Ragin' Cajuns. Briefly in 1984, USL's name became the University of Louisiana, but was reverted to University of Southwestern Louisiana via court challenge. In 1999, it became the University of Louisiana at Lafayette (ULL).

The university states that "Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns" is the nickname of the University’s athletic teams."

Former

Current

Came to prominence under the leadership of head coach Beryl Shipley, who was responsible for breaking the color barrier in the South and won just under 70% of all games from 1957 to 1973.

Notable Players include NCAA 2nd All time leading scorer Dwight "Bo" Lamar, Dean Church, Andrew Toney, Marv Winkler, Dwayne Mitchell, and Elfrid Payton.


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