The last sporting event of the American trip was some more basketball, although at college level rather than NBA. Arnaudville wasn’t too far from Lafayette where the Ragin’ Cajuns play their home fixtures and so I skipped a barbecue for the visit of the Youngstown Penguins.
I paid thirty dollars a pop for tickets, which is more than I paid for the Pelicans NBA game. It seemed as if we were the only people who had paid to get into the Cajun Dome as students got in free. I’ve had a student card for the last ten years, but it was no use as they limit their concession to their own students, a policy that seems a particularly harsh on any travelling Penguins fans.
Despite free admission the attendance was low. Sparse enough to hear every waggish comment from the comedians around me. Youngstown had a tatty set of vests and one fella to my right spent the game shouting for “more glue” every time a number or the lettering began to peel off. The game ran for two twenty-minute halves rather than four quarters. I liked that, although I suppose it cuts down the opportunity for ad revenue.
The Ragin’ Cajuns were unbeaten at home for nearly two years but fell behind early on. They pulled it around though and finished comfortably in front to keep the run going.
Trail of the Lion King 