Membership Update - 5/10/09

Thanks to you, we had another banner year! Each year as we begin our new year on May 1st, the opportunity to reflect back on the growth and progress of our Dallas chapter gives us time to appreciate the support and hard work that you, our fellow alumni, have put into making this past year one of the most memorable.

Membership

As we brought 2006-2007 year to a close, our membership stood at 158 paid memberships. At that time we began our ongoing membership campaign. By increasing communications and partnering with our 2 watch party locations, Fox & Hound and Sherlock's, we were able to offer food discounts throughout the year to Dallas members and in 24 months, we have grown to over 3 times as many members, 534. And what has been even more gratifying is that 165 of those members have already renewed their membership or joined sine Jan. 1st. Your $25 annual dues goes even further. Not only does it support the expansion of our programs and events for chapter members but a large percentage of that amount is used to supplement our LSU scholarships for DFW students.

Donations

Last fiscal year alone, through memberships, crawfish boil (including silent auction,) Texas Tiger Tee Shirt sales and contributions from alumni, our chapter not only contributed $18,500 to our scholarships in BR but also donated the proceeds of our silent auction to the Band Hall construction project at LSU in the amount of $8,150. With the last contribution this spring of $2500, we completed the 3rd DFW Scholarship with LSU Foundation and LSUAA giving us a total investment of $120,000 in scholarships. Including the Band Hall contribution, we have donated $52,150 to scholarships in the last 2 years alone. Beginning this summer, we will start to build the 4th Top 100 scholarship with LSUAA. Our goal is to endow a Top 100 scholarship every other year!

LSU Recruits

Part of the reason for the need of more scholarships is the increase in students from Texas and esp. the DFW area attending LSU. In the Fall of 2007, 97 students from DFW alone enrolled at LSU. That was followed by 153 in 2008 and if the 50% increase in spring testing of Texas students from 2007-2009 (78 to 118) is any indication, we could see over 200 enrolling from our area this fall. The need has increased and the support of our alums in helping Linda Young and Kelly Botel with recruiting on local college nights has kept pace. As more schools are participating, our need has grown and so haas our legion of recruiters of all ages. Thanks for your continued support and as we ge the fall schedule, it will be posted on ur website. Please continue to offer your services at that time.

To start the summer off right, we had the opportunity to attend the Ourso Business School Alumni Reception in late April. Dean Eli Jones explained the pride that the business school had in assisting LSU in achieving Tier 1 status and their desire to increase the facilities and improve the educational environment of it's current and future students. Those of us on your board who were privileged to have been in attendance came away so impressed with the Business School's project that at our May Board meeting we voted to contribute $2000 in the name of the Dallas LSU Alumni Chapter toward that goal.

Crawfish Boil

In mid April we celebrated the 30th Annual LSU Crawfish Boil and realized the largest boil in our history. Over 800 adults and children, 824 to be exact, enjoyed crawfish, jambalaya, hot dogs, beer and a successful silent auction along with fellowship with LSU and SEC alums at our new and larger venue. (If we were exceeding the safety restriction of 575 at Winfrey Point last year, what would we have done with almost 200 more attendees this year?) Having gone through the growing pains of expansion and customizing a new location, we can promise you an even better time next year. Once our 2009 date is set, you'll be notified and I ask that you put it on your calender. If you haven't been to one of our LSU crawfish boils, you don't know what you've been missing!

One of the two features of the silent auction was a signed football by Les Miles and 2 game tickets to each of the 2009 home games. At the Business School reception, another autographed football by Les Miles was given away. And the lucky recipient was one of our Dallas members, Andrew Knight. As he came by our table with the football in his hand, he said, "What say we auction this off for scholarships?" And as if our luck wasn't already good, the following Tuesday, another of our Dallas chapter members, Eric Spiritas, who donated the 2 game tickets for all home games last fall that we auctioned off at our two summer happy hours asked, "Could you use another pair for this year?" It took me about a nanosecond to say, "absolutely!"

A Good Start For The new Year

So to begin the football season this summer, we'll start with happy hours at both Sherlock's in July and Fox &Hound in August. The Les Miles football and a pair of tickets for Vandy, UL-Lafayette, and Florida will be auctioned in July at Sherlock's. The pair of tickets for Tulane, Auburn, La. Tech and Arkansas will be auctioned offin August at Fox & Hound. Watch for updates of dates for each of these events and plan to be there. There were an awful lot of bidders who missed out on the tickets in April. You're getting a second chance! And these proceeds, as do all of our acution proceeds, go directly to our new scholarship fund.

LSU License Plates

This past year also saw the most gratifying year in Texas LSU history as 8 chapters throughout the state combined to organize, promote and successfully achieve the distinction of the first out of state university to apply for and be selected to acquire specialty license plates in Texas! From the first announcement being sent on August 1st of last year to April 29th, we have sold and shipped 1742 sets of LSU specialty license plates. With a quota of 1900 to acquire a refund of our $8000 deposit, we are so close to achieving complete success with our project. And the good news is that the plates will be available for years to come! You can read about our campaign and use the on line TDoT ordering system link on our website, http://www.lsualumnidallas.com/. Your continued support is not only vital but greatly appreciated! Now is the time to order!

Membership Renewal

Since May 1st, your membership in the 2008 year has expired and we hope that you'll plan to renew your investment in our growing chapter. Your 2009 dues can be remitted on line also on our website or by using the mail in application. Our goal is to exceed 600 members this fiscal year and you can help make that happen. If you have never been a member of our chapter or have failed to renew in the last 3-4 years, we welcome your renewed interest and look forward to mailing your membership card to you. This is an investment in not only your future but those who will be future tigers as well.

Input, Inquiries & Suggestions

Should you have any questions about any of our past year's activities or have suggestions as to what else you would like to see our chapter participate in, please address your inquiries and suggestions to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . I'll be happy to answer each and every response in time and welcome your feedback.

Thanks for being a part of our Dallas email list and I hope to have each and everyone of our over 1600 recipients of this message as members as well. It has been my pleasure to keep you informed of LSU and LA happenings in the DFW area. Have a successful summer and we'll see you in July and August.

BTW the May SEC Mixer will be held on Thursday, May 21st at 6 PM. Hosted by the Tennessee alumni chapter, it'll be held at their watch location, Third Base Bar & Grill, 2390 Parkwod Blvd., Frisco, (214)618.4450. This is located on the back side of Stonebriar Mall. Let's have a large turnout for this and every monthly SEC Mixer. 

Geaux Tigers!  Cya on the 21st!