Two names so far looking for a new place to play next season.
Eli Tidwell
Miles Curley

https://www.fox8live.com/video/2026/06/0...m-project/

Just curious as we move forward with the LSU New Olreans brand if Ochsner will remain a major sponsor of the New Orleans lakefront campus / athletics?    With being part of the LSU system July I would think that the medical services for the University would fall under the system brand??

If that is the case would LCMC, which partners with LSU / Tulane Medicine be a likely candidate as a sponsor?   

Would entities like "Raising Cane" who have an affiliation with LSU become sponsors of the Lakefront programs?    I would love to see a long term naming right on the Lakefront Arena with "Raising Canes Arena" or "Benson Arena" or "Bollinger Arena".      Then a throw back to a named court like Corchiani or Georges or Morris Bart.    

If we could score with a couple of those people it would go a long way to get the program on a solid foundation to move forward.    I still believe enrollment will increase at the University with the new branding, even if I don't like the colors.

FYI--

There are a few things that are functionally different about this board, and I may add to this post as I think about them, but:

* One thing I noticed is that the quoting function seems to work a little differently.  I think it's an improvement because you can now quote multiple posts in one reply, but it's NOT particularly intuitive.  If you want to quote multiple posts, you hit quote under all the posts you want to reply to, and they will collect under the "Quick Reply" window and you can click that and they'll populate.

If you just want to directly reply to one post, you can just hit "Reply" and it will automatically take you to a new screen with that one whole post quoted (which you can pick and choose what to quote or wipe it out completely).

In a game thread -- where you just want to bitch because we can't hit a @&(!&~! three to save our lives -- or any thread where you just want to add something to no one in particular, looks like you can just use Quick Reply and not worry about all that.


* Slidell brought it up on the old board, but he asked about mobile functionality, and... that's coming, at least sort of, by hook or by crook.  It might not be a clean app, although my goal is to have all this in easy app form eventually.  At the VERY LEAST, it will be browser-based but mobile friendly.  Right now I think it looks pretty good on landscape view on a phone, but that's not really where I want to end up.  

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MEDIA CONTACT
Sarah Bergez
sjmarti@uno.edu


NEW ORLEANS – June 4, 2026 – As part of its transition to LSU New Orleans, the University of New Orleans announced today the hiring of acclaimed New Orleans music educator and band leader Eddie Williams Jr. as the university’s new band director, marking the relaunch of a marching band program for the institution. The last time the Privateers had a marching band was in the 1970’s.

Williams brings more than two decades of experience in music education, performance leadership and program development, including leadership roles at West Jefferson High School and the nationally recognized “Marching 100” at St. Augustine High School.

The creation of a marching band program represents a major expansion of student life and athletics as the university prepares to officially become LSU New Orleans on July 1. This initiative aligns with the university’s broader efforts to enhance student opportunities, strengthen campus culture and build long-term institutional momentum. The university’s initial goal is to establish a pep band program with plans to march in Mardi Gras parades by 2028.

“As LSU New Orleans continues to grow and evolve, creating opportunities that enrich student life and strengthen our campus’s powerful identity as a 7th Ward institution, is critically important,” said Jeanette Weiland, interim chancellor and chief administrative officer of the University of New Orleans. “Eddie is not only an accomplished educator and musician, but also a proven leader who understands the culture, energy, and traditions that make New Orleans unique. His leadership will help establish a lasting foundation for generations of future students.”

Williams most recently served as director of bands at West Jefferson High School, where he built a thriving program from the ground up, growing participation and leading ensembles that earned superior ratings and competition honors. Prior to that, he directed the renowned “Marching 100” at St. Augustine High School, leading performances at major events, including the Rose Bowl Parade, and collaborating with Grammy-winning artist Jon Batiste on the album “We Are.”

Williams is widely respected throughout the New Orleans music community for his work in marching band instruction, show design, music arrangement and student mentorship. During his tenure at St. Augustine, he helped maintain a 100% scholarship rate for graduating band seniors while elevating the national profile of the program.

“Eddie Williams Jr. represents the very best of New Orleans musical tradition, discipline and excellence,” said Aulston G. Taylor, president of St. Augustine High School. “His impact on students extends far beyond performance. He has spent his career developing young leaders, creating opportunities through music and inspiring pride in every organization he serves. LSU New Orleans is gaining a tremendous educator and an outstanding ambassador for our city’s culture.”

Williams said he is honored to help establish a new tradition at the university during a transformational moment in its history.

“It is with tremendous pride and excitement that I begin this new journey as the inaugural band director for LSU New Orleans,” Williams said. “This is an opportunity to build a meaningful program rooted in excellence, tradition, culture and school spirit that reflects the heart and energy of New Orleans. Together, we will create a legacy that inspires students, energizes our campus community and proudly represents the Privateer spirit for generations to come. The sound of LSU New Orleans is coming.”

The University of New Orleans is transitioning to LSU New Orleans on July 1, returning to the LSU System where it was originally founded in 1958. This transition positions LSU New Orleans for expanded academic opportunities, stronger partnerships, enrollment growth and long-term sustainability while preserving the university’s unique identity and longstanding connection to the city of New Orleans.


###



The University of New Orleans (UNO) is transitioning to LSU New Orleans on July 1, 2026, as it returns to the Louisiana State University System. For more than 65 years, it has been one of the city’s foremost public resources, offering a diverse set of world-class, research-based programs, advancing shared knowledge and adding to the city’s industry, culture and economy. Since 1958, UNO has educated students from all 64 Louisiana parishes, all 50 states in the United States and more than 140 countries. Today UNO offers more than 40 undergraduate and pre-professional programs and more than 40 graduate programs.

Does it look decent?  I'm hoping it looks decent.

Anyway, I'm truly hoping everyone makes the jump over here, even those who are rightfully un-enamored with "LSU-New Orleans."  Even if it's just to pop in and reminisce.  This site's focus has always been on nostalgia and tradition.

For those wondering... why?  "The old forum was perfectly good!"  Well, yes and no.  It was functional, but it has been my desire for several years now to modernize our entire setup.  And it has always been my vision to tie the forum and the main site together, and boy was that not possible with Tapatalk.  So not possible that the forum faceplanted for two days (during an AD hire!) when I tried to inject the tiniest bit of modernity into it.

I really feel like this is the best way going forward.  If you guys vehemently disagree, that's fine.  Otherwise, Tapatalk will be sunsetted into read-only shortly (but will be maintained as our forum archive).

So, look around here, register, and feel free to click that link above to peek at the revamped main site now and again.  I am feeling a little bit rejuvenated in terms of posting more than just courtesy updates to it.