By Malcolm Butler
With the start of the college football season a little over a month away, Louisiana Tech fans driving by Joe Aillet Stadium in the last day may have seen a few additions to the 50-plus year old facility.
A 100-plus foot crane anchored in the parking lot on the west side of the stadium was utilized Monday to put “Home of the Bulldogs” in white lettering across the facing of the seven-year-old press box that opened in 2017.
Additionally, today should see the Bulldogs three national championship teams recognized with the lettering “National Champions 1972, 1973, 1974” placed to the far left of the press box facing. The lettering “Bradshaw 12, Dean 70, Roaf 71” will be attached on the far right to recognize the Bulldog’s three retired numbers.
Louisiana Tech Senior Associate AD Gerald Jordan said the project was born through conversations with Director of Athletics Eric Wood and executive staff members. It is being funded entirely through private donations with the Aillet Society, Louisiana Tech Athletic’s new major giving society. For more information on the Aillet Society, click here.
“There was nothing in our football facility that honored the three national championship teams,” said Jordan. “We wanted to figure out how to do this in a first class way. We decided to put the national championship years to honor those players and coaches. And we also wanted to recognize and honor our three Hall of Famers who all have their jersey numbers retired.”
The east side of Joe Aillet Stadium also saw some cosmetic additions as four new banners are being attached on the perimeter of that side of the facility. One banner each will be in honor of Tech’s three Pro Football Hall of Famers (Bradshaw, Dean, Roaf) while the fourth banner sports the Bulldog head logo.
Monday saw three of the four banners mounted with only Bradshaw’s still set to be placed today.
Jordan said these banners replace the original set of banners that were destroyed during Hurricane Laura in August of 2020. These banners were paid for with insurance dollars as one of the last claims to settle from Hurricane Laura.
The Bulldogs open their season at home Aug. 26 against FIU in a Week Zero contest at Joe Aillet Stadium. It’s the first of six home games for head coach Sonny Cumbie and Co.
Season ticket prices for Bulldog football have not changed from the 2022 season. Fans are encouraged to purchase full season tickets as early as possible to guarantee their seats for the 2024 season. The following price points exist, Donor Box ($275), Donor Bleacher ($175), West Reserved ($125), East Reserved ($100), and General Admission ($75).
Fans can purchase season tickets online at LATechSports.com/Tickets or by calling the LA Tech Ticket Office at (318) 257-3631.
