Let’s not pretend: UL game days used to have juice. There was energy. There was chaos. There was culture. And you know what fueled that electric, rowdy, unforgettable vibe? $2 Natty Lights.‍

Yes, the $2 Natty Lights—the ice-cold, no-frills symbol of student spirit and Cajun chaos. And now? Gone. Killed off by some suit with Sodexo who clearly hasn’t stood in a student section or pre-gamed a tailgate in their life.

Let’s be real—college sports are more than X’s and O’s. They’re about atmosphere. About giving people a reason to show up, cut loose, and make memories that last longer than the score. And at UL, we had that. It wasn’t fancy. It wasn’t polished. But it was real. $2 beers at games weren’t just a gimmick—they were a ritual. A rallying cry. A tradition that made UL feel like our school, not just some corporate logo on a jersey.

And then it got yanked away.

Now what are we left with? A quieter student section. An awkward game day vibe. Fans trickling in late, leaving early, and wondering why things just don’t feel the same anymore. Well, here’s your answer: when you strip away the fun, you kill the experience.

Section A member and lifelong Cajuns fan Kohl Guilbeau gave us his thoughts on the situation:

“The whole situation is truly ridiculous. Natural Light started as a $2 “promotional” item years ago. Well, when they saw how profitable that $2 promo actually was, it became a stadium mainstay. Over the years it has personally become my beer of choice, not just at the stadium, because of the low price.

We had become known all over social media for having the “Cheapest Beer in college athletics”…. We were talked about on the Pat McAfee show, shared all over Facebook and X, and even natural light themselves commented about our university. All very positive advertisement.

But over this past year, we were told that the premier domestic beers were not selling well enough, and the price of Natural Light had to change… not by $1… not even by double the price. They jacked up a bottom-tier 12 oz beer to $5. Here’s the kicker: THEY ALSO JACKED UP THE PRICE OF THE PREMIUMS! Make it make sense.

Now, I refuse to buy beer at the game. I have not spent a single dollar on alcohol. The beer coolers used to be lined up with fans at all times, and Natural Light used to be sold out by the middle innings. Now, there is no one in line, and the natural light stays completely stocked until the last out.

Bottom line, the games are just not as enjoyable anymore, because the stadium has fully out-priced Cajuns fans on all fronts. To quote the burner accounts: “We played better baseball when Natty was $2” and truer words have never been spoken.”

UL needs to stop pretending it’s some sterile, squeaky-clean program. This is Lafayette. This is Louisiana. We throw down. We dance. We yell. And yes, we drink cheap beer and have a damn good time doing it. That’s the culture. That’s what makes Ragin’ Cajun game days ours.

So UL, if you’re serious about reviving spirit, filling the stands, and making games worth talking about—bring back the $2 Natty Lights. Hell, double down on them. Throw in beer gardens. Set up pregame parties. Embrace the identity that sets us apart instead of trying to sterilize it.

Because here’s the truth: you don’t build fanbases by playing it safe. You build them by creating an environment that people want to be part of. A little beer, a lot of noise, and a whole lot of pride—that’s how you fill Cajun Field and The Tigue. That’s how you bring back the vibe.

So crack a cold one UL and let the Cajuns rage like they’re supposed to.