Tech Game Day for Dummies

Written By Travis Napper, CVB President/CEO 

The kids are back in school and everyone is starting to put their summer vacations in their rear-view mirror, so that can mean only one thing. It’s fall and that means it's Football Season in Ruston, as well as across the South. To get everyone prepped for the first Louisiana Tech Football game of the year coming up on Sept. 5, I thought this Game Day guide might be helpful to all Bulldog fans new and old!

Pre-Game

What to Wear: Show some spirit! You are there to support your team, so dress for the occasion. Check to see if it is the “Red Out” Game (hint: it is 9/26). If not, you should be wearing BLUE! Homecoming might be a good time to dress a little nicer, but it’s not necessary. Also, don’t forget to check the weather. Umbrellas aren’t allowed in the stadium, so rain boots and a poncho are your best bet for rainy games.

Gameday Parking Map

Parking: As the crowds continue to grow, the need for parking grows too. Refer to the map to see all of the available parking options, paid and free. Take note: it is only a 10 minute walk from behind the bookstore to the stadium.  Game Day Special - For the Oct. 3 game against ULL, there will be a free shuttle service offered from downtown Ruston to the stadium and back.

Tailgating: There are a number of ways to take part in the tailgating experience. The Argent Pavilion is host to the Louisiana Tech Alumni Association Tailgate. They usually have a great offering of food and drinks, and it’s a prime spot to catch up with former classmates. There is also plenty of group and corporate tailgating that takes place along Tailgate Alley adjacent to the Argent Pavilion. Most tailgaters will welcome any friendly fan. Setting up your own tailgate is another option and is allowed in all four parking lots (A, B, C, D) around Joe Aillet Stadium, the grass areas surrounding Joe Aillet Stadium, and the Thomas Assembly Center (including Garland Gregory Hideaway Park). RV spaces are available for guests attending football games. Contact the LTAC and Alumni Association office (318-255-7950) for more information.

Activities: There are plenty of pre-game activities to match any interest. Bulldog Village (opens 3 hours prior to kickoff), located at the bottom of the Thomas Assembly Center steps, has live music, the Ruston Brick Kids Zone, face-painting with Tech spirit groups,  photo stations,  interaction with LA Tech student-athletes, Barnes and Noble Bookstore  and more.  There is also a tailgating cook-off judged by student-athletes. The “Walk of Pride” (2 hours prior to kickoff) has become a Tech tradition. The band plays in front of the Argent Pavilion and then leads the Bulldog football team through the crowd of cheering fans on their way to the locker room.  All fans are encouraged to head to the stadium 30 minutes prior to kickoff to not miss any of the pre-game entertainment.

The Game               

Click to enlarge.

Stadium: Joe Aillet Stadium has been home to Louisiana Tech football for the past 45-plus years. Since opening in 1968 at a capacity of 23,000, it has seen many changes and updates. The most recent update being the addition of the Davison Athletics Complex, bringing the stadium capacity to 28,019. Check out our feature on the Davison Athletics Complex here. New turf, called FieldTurf Mono, has recently been installed. It offers some of the most vibrant colors and great cushion and safety for the players.  As you walk around the outside of the stadium, make sure you notice the stadium banners honoring Terry Bradshaw, Willie Roaf, Fred Dean, Joe Aillet and Maxie Lambright, some of Tech Football’s most successful  alumni. For a stadium seating chart click here.

Concessions: Concessions are located in six convenient areas on both the east and west sides of the stadium, with many new vendors added including Wing Stop, a candy stand, taco truck, iced tea stand, java drinks, smoothies and more. Alcoholic beverages are only allowed within the Club Level of the Davison Athletics Complex. 

Video Board: The addition of the video board in the North End zone has brought a new definition to the full game experience.  Sometimes referred to as DawgZilla, Community Trust Vision (CT Vision) now provides the fans with instant replay and great intro videos, as well as some pretty neat fan interactions.

Post Game

Where to Stay: Any of Ruston’s area hotels are the logical choice, of course. All are located within 8 minutes of the stadium. However, as with most college towns, hotels near campus tend to be very busy and often full on the weekends of home games. The good news is there are some great alternatives that are very convenient: The Lewis House B&B and The Cottage, as well as the RV and camping sites at the beautiful Lincoln Parish Park.  And of course, you could always try to bum a stay from family or friends!

Where to eat/drink: While you have plenty of tasty options for tailgate foods on game day, if you are anything like me you will want to make it a full weekend of food and football.  After the game, you might be ready for another snack and a few beverages while catching the late west coast games on TV.  For this, I would recommend Dawg House Sports Grill.  After you sleep in a little and before you get sucked into the noon Saints game, I suggest trying out the Sunday Brunch at Beau Vines Steakhouse. These two are just a few of the many great culinary options in Ruston, so visit our website and blog for more restaurant profiles.

A Few Things to Remember

• Beat the crowd. Arrive 3-5 hours before kickoff to avoid traffic, have more access to parking and have first pick on certain tailgating spots.  And remember, if you don’t want to miss any of the official pre-game entertainment, make sure you are in the stadium 30 minutes prior to kickoff!

• Clean up before kickoff. Bring your own trash bags and water down hot coals before heading to the stadium. Please respect LA Tech and its campus.

• First aid is available for fans at Joe Aillet Stadium. West Concourse (Press Box side): The First Aid Station is located at the base of the elevator shaft. East Concourse: An ambulance or First Aid tent will be located next to the Police Mobile Command Center outside the gates. Contact an usher if you have an emergency. North side: An ambulance will be parked next to the videoboard on the North side of the stadium.

• Don’t drink and drive — give up the keys. If alcoholic drinks get the best of you, make sure someone sober takes the wheel. 

One last thing!  Do you have your tickets yet?

Travis Napper is from Monroe, La., but has called Ruston home for 13 years. He is a LA Tech alum and devoted Bulldog fan. Travis is a proud husband to Brittany and father of two children, Emory and Stover. In his spare time he enjoys cheering on the bulldogs and enjoying local events. 

Tori’s Travels: Ruston Does It Right

Written by Tori Ward, CVB Marketing/PR Assistant

Hey y’all! Nearly two months ago I moved to Ruston, La., and I never imagined I would STILL be exploring the town and discovering new things every single day. Honestly, I thought “Tori’s Travels” would probably be wrapping up at this point, but I’m still going strong and have a long list of places I still want to visit. I’ve been a busy bee exploring Ruston the past few weeks, and I’m all jazzed up to fill you in on some of the awesome places I’ve discovered in this adorable town.

Louisiana Military Museum display

I’m a sucker for history; it just never ceases to fascinate me. Ruston has some amazing history behind it, and it’s also home to one of the most incredible military museums in the South. Walking into the Louisiana Military Museum, I was floored. I had no idea that there could be SO MANY historical items on display in this building. They have everything from weapons to military uniforms to small items that a soldier would have carried with him in the war. 

Louisiana Military Museum display 

I was so impressed by the wide array of battles and wars that were represented in this museum.They have displays from the American Indian War, the Spanish American War, the Civil War, both World Wars, Vietnam, Desert Storm and even the War on Terror, just to name a few. And these aren’t cheesy displays, either. They’re elaborate and jam packed with tons of neat and fascinating items. I’m a fashion lover, so seeing the uniforms over time was the coolest thing to me. If you are in the area, I definitely recommend you take an hour or two out of your day to visit the Louisiana Military Museum and talk to Mr. Ernie, the director of the museum. He has so much information to share and the museum is truly something special!

My family on my father’s side is very Italian, so my love of Italian food runs deep. I’ve heard great things about Roma Italian Bistro from several people since I moved here, and I knew I had to try it for myself. I loved this place from the moment I walked through the door. With dim lighting and soothing music, the atmosphere was absolutely perfect for a fun date night out. I have a major weakness for pasta, so the Chef’s Special pasta with grilled shrimp, scallops and chicken in a blush sauce was the obvious choice. I paired it with a glass of pinot noir (they have awesome happy hour prices), and it was absolutely delicious! I ended my dining experience with their Tiramisu, which had a perfect coffee flavor and creaminess. Long story short: I waddled out of there full and happy.

Chef's Special at Roma

Tiramisu at Roma

Rolling Hills' book selection 

I’m a major bargain shopper, so I was quite delighted when I recently discovered a bargain-shopping gem in Ruston. Rolling Hills is an incredible, local thrift store that is run by Rolling Hills Ministries. This is by far the nicest thrift store I’ve ever shopped at. The store is extremely organized, which is pretty rare for thrift shops, and it has a great selection of merchandise at KILLER prices. I’m a bookworm, so I was very excited to see their large and diverse selection of books that were all in great condition. They also have movies, home décor, glassware, furniture, children’s toys, jewelry, various kitchen appliances, tons of clothes and more. I purchased a book and two cute shirts for a grand total of $6. Yes, you read that correctly, $6! Don’t you worry Rolling Hills, I’ll be back soon. Probably today. And tomorrow. 

A Ruston restaurant that has quickly become one of my go-to spots is La Bamba Mexican Restaurant. Mexican food is my absolute favorite and I have very high standards when it comes to chips and salsa. But let me tell you, La Bamba exceeds my standards time and time again. Everything I’ve ever ordered here has been downright delicious, although I usually only eat about two bites of my meal because I’m notorious for filling up on chips and salsa. The Burrito La Bamba is one of my favorite meals here, but the steak fajitas might tie for first. Their queso and margaritas are also top notch! La Bamba always has something cool happening like salsa dancing, live music or karaoke, so prepare yourself for a fun time when you go eat there!

Steak enchiladas at La Bamba

After weeks of exploring Ruston, I've definitely picked up on the fact that from museums to dining to shopping and everything in between, Ruston does it right. 

Thanks for catching up with my latest adventures! Keep following the blog for more of my travels; I'm looking forward to discovering more of what this charming city has to offer! See y'all around town!

Tori's Travels: Penny Perfect Has It All!

Written By Tori Ward, CVB Marketing/PR Assistant

Penny Perfect 

It's hard to miss Penny Perfect's eye-catching storefront on Park Avenue in Downtown Ruston. The bold design and bright color of the store just captured me and I had to take a look inside. I wasn't sure what to expect, but I'm so glad I stopped in to shop because I had no idea just how much was happening inside this adorable little store. Check out the details of my shopping experience at Penny Perfect below!

Penny Perfect | 110 W Park Ave, Ruston, LA 71270

Hours: Monday:11am - 4pm

Tuesday-Saturday:10am - 5:30pm

Atmosphere: Penny Perfect has a fun and lively atmosphere, complete with bright colors, upbeat music and a friendly staff. Some of their main displays are in huge, funky wooden cutouts that take over the wall and give the store a trendy, cool vibe. The décor and products themselves give the atmosphere an overall charming and homey feel.

Child's display at Penny Perfect 

Store at a glance: Penny Perfect has every little gift and knick-knack you can imagine for every age. They carry a large selection of children’s toys and baby merchandise, perfect for a child’s birthday party or a baby shower. You can also find cute backpacks, bags and lunchboxes for the little ones. 

If you need a gift for a teenager or college student, Penny Perfect has you covered. They sell a huge assortment of collegiate and Greek products, as well as tumblers, tote bags and picture frames. If you’re looking for locally-influenced items, this is your place! They carry adorable wooden signs and other various products that have phrases related to Ruston, local attractions and the South in general. 

LA Tech display at Penny Perfect 

You can also find all the LA Tech gear and décor your heart desires. Additionally, they have a great assortment of fun gifts for milestone birthdays, wedding parties and other notable celebrations. If you need to pick up a cute gift for someone or just want to add something charming to your home décor, then Penny Perfect is an ideal place to shop!

A little something extra: Aside from their wide array of products, Penny Perfect also offers some specialty services. They are all set to personalize just about anything you want through a variety of methods, including monogramming, painting and vinyl lettering. Additionally, they offer balloon inflation services including latex, Mylar, XL Mylar and stuffed balloons.

Ruston-influenced items at Penny Perc

Tori’s pick: First off, let me say that I ADORE this shop. It’s absolutely precious and there is so much to choose from that I could spend hours just browsing around. I was thrilled to see all the Tech gear and so many locally-influenced items! Home décor that has a touch of Southern charm is my weakness. To make myself feel a little more like a Rustonite, I bought a cute little wooden sign to go in my room that says, “Ruston, There’s No Place I’d Rather Be.” I thought it was the perfect touch to make my space a little homier. 

With school and Football season right around the corner, this is the perfect place to get all your Tech gear and other fun items. Stop in for a visit and check out Penny Perfect on Facebook to see more of their merchandise. That's it for today, check back next week for more of Tori's Travels. I'll see y'all around town!

Win tickets to see Travis Tritt!

Written By Amanda Quimby, CVB Marketing Director

In case you've missed it, the one and only TRAVIS TRITT will be at the Revelry of Ruston on Friday, September 11, 2015. Tickets are on sale and are going quickly so make your plans now!

Want to make a weekend of it? Register to win our Travis Tritt Getaway Giveaway!
The Ruston Lincoln CVB has partnered with The Revelry and Fairfield Inn & Suites to provide one lucky winner with the following:

• Two ticket to see Travis Tritt live
• One night stay at Fairfield Inn & Suites for Friday, Sept. 11
• Lunch for two in Downtown Ruston on Saturday, Sept. 12

Entering is easy! Go to http://goo.gl/NStG28 and submit with your email address! A winner will be randomly selected on Tuesday, September 8.

Good luck!

Don't want to wait? Get your tickets here right now. VIP Suites are already sold out!

Davison Athletics Complex: Bringing New Possibilities to Ruston, La.

By: Tori Ward, CVB Marketing/PR Assistant

Davison Athletics Complex

Louisiana Tech is about to unveil a facility that will not only be a huge draw for the university, but will be an incredible asset to Ruston, La. The Davison Athletics Complex, which is nearing the final stages of completion, is in a class of its own. Recently, The Ruston Lincoln CVB got a sneak peak of the complex, and we're excited to share all the details about this one-of-a-kind sports facility.

What's unique about this building is that it's a space for players and fans alike. The football team will now have access to a first-class sports facility complete with several team meeting rooms, a players’ lounge, a decked-out weight room with custom equipment, and an unbelievably spacious locker room with all the amenities. 

Weight room that looks onto the field

Weight room

Sample locker in the locker room

Team meeting room

On the other side of things, the fans that have purchased club seats on the third level of the facility will now have access to a gorgeous club lounge complete with televisions, food buffets, bistro tables and fully-stocked bars. Additionally, there are 302 club seats located right off the lounge in a covered outdoor space that offers an incredible end-zone view of the newly-turfed football field. 

Club seats

View of the field from the Club seating 

 "This is probably the closest view of college football," said Adam McGuirt, associate athletics director for internal operations.

Club Lounge

While having one of the top athletic facilities in Conference USA is likely to help with recruiting, donor involvement, game attendance and overall game day experience, there are also numerous benefits that the Davison Athletics Complex will bring to the community. 

When it is not being used during the football season, the club lounge will be available as a venue for lectures, banquets and other events. With a max capacity number of 454, the space will be able to host a 400-person lecture or a banquet setup for 320 people. 

This is a big deal for Ruston, La., where larger venues such as this are in short supply. To make the deal even sweeter, there is a fully-equip kitchen and staff on site. Additionally, the recent approval to sell alcohol on the club level allows for alcohol to be served at any event held in the club lounge. 

Outside view of the Davison Athletics Complex

As Bulldog fans and community members, we're excited for all the benefits and possibilities that the Davison Athletics Complex is bringing to Ruston, La. and Bulldog Country! We'll see everyone for the first LA Tech home game against Southern on Sept. 5, when the new facility will officially be debuted. Go Dawgs!

Tori’s Travels: It's Full Steam Ahead for Railway Coffee

By Tori Ward, CVB Marketing/PR Assistant 

Railway Coffee | Ruston, LA

I had the incredible opportunity to visit Railway Coffee and get a behind-the-scenes look at their coffee roasting process. As a coffee lover, I was beyond thrilled to see exactly how the beans are roasted and learn about all the little things that make each batch of coffee unique. It was hands down one of the coolest experiences I’ve ever had. However, what I really took away from my visit was a deep admiration for the owners of Railway Coffee and a whole new understanding of their passion and vision.

It’s no secret that here in Louisiana we love our coffee. Beyond being a much needed jump start in the morning, coffee has the ability to serve a social purpose. It’s the perfect drink to center a business meeting around, brew up after a family meal, and sip while catching up with an old friend. With such a significant social role, coffee proves to be more than just a caffeinated beverage, and its taste should reflect this quality.

coffee beans prior to being roasted 

Inspired by frequent experiences of drinking mediocre coffee in social settings, Michael and Jana Davis sought to find better-tasting coffee.  After doing some research on specialty coffees and home-roasting, they starting roasting coffee beans in their home during November 2014. With a void of specialty coffee roasters in this part of the country, Michael and Jana knew they wanted to bring locally-roasted coffee to the area. After months of trial and error, they perfected their roasting skills and Railway Coffee was officially born in January 2015.

In the beginning, the roasting process 
went fairly slow due to using a rather simple and small home roaster. However, things really began to pick up for Railway Coffee when they started using a larger drum roaster in May 2015. They’ve been full steam ahead ever since and seem to be gaining more and more attention every day.

Railway Coffee's dark roast 

So you may be wondering, what exactly is Railway Coffee and what do they do? Railway Coffee is a small-batch specialty coffee roaster located and operated in Ruston, La. Railway focuses on the actual roasting of raw coffee beans and distributes their coffee to local partners, who then sell it to customers. They source high quality coffee beans from around the world and roast them to perfection in order to provide only the best coffee to their customers. I’m personally a HUGE fan of their dark roast, Smokestack. It’s incredible and seriously wows you with every sip. 

With a focus on the local community, Railway Coffee has partnered with several local businesses in Ruston. You can find their coffee brewed and ready to drink at Social Bites of Ruston. You can also purchase it by the bag at Gibson’s Natural Grocer, Rosemary’s Kitchen and Railway Coffee’s website. Additionally, they have a booth at the Ruston Farmer’s Market during market seasons.

Railway Coffee's Smokestack dark roast

As you can see, Railway Coffee is quickly growing and increasing their reach in Louisiana. While they do have high hopes for the continued expansion of the business, they are committed to maintaining their local roots in Ruston, La.

“No matter how big we get, we are never going to neglect Ruston,” said owner Michael Davis.  “I grew up here, we started here, it’s a great community.”

They even incorporated their passion for Ruston into their company name and logo. If you’ve spent five minutes in Ruston, you know what a presence the railroad has here. By choosing the name Railway Coffee and incorporating a train into their logo, they’ve ensured that they maintain their ties to Ruston and its unique culture.

“However big we grow, we’ll always have Railway as our name and brand as a kind of homage to Ruston and our roots,” said Michael.

Just like a train, Railway Coffee is moving full steam ahead with big plans and visions for the future! They are continuing to make local partnerships and have plans to be a featured roaster for Stay Roasted. They also plan to carry a few more roasts in the near future, and recently released a decaf roast. Another exciting thing in the works for Railway Coffee is a downtown location that will hopefully be coming within the next year! They plan to sell their coffee as well as other items at their new coffee shop. 

Michael and Jana Davis

On a personal note, I’m not sure I’ve ever met more kind or genuine people. Michael and Jana are so warm and friendly, and they have two of the most precious little girls you’ve ever seen. When I visited the roastery, I spent about an hour with their family and left feeling like I had known them for years. Listening to Michael, who likes his coffee black, and Jana, who likes hers with a little cream, playfully bicker as they discussed their preferred brewing method was downright adorable. There’s no doubt that Michael and Jana’s endearing and outgoing personalities add to the charm of Railway Coffee. These two are truly an inspiration and their passion for Railway Coffee and the city and people of Ruston is incredibly heartwarming.

Big things are brewing in Ruston, La., so get on board the Railway Coffee train, you won’t regret it! Make sure you follow Railway Coffee on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and keep reading Tori’s Travels for more spotlights on local attractions and businesses.  See y’all around town! 

Tori's Travels: A Few of My Favorite Things

Written By Tori Ward, CVB Marketing/PR Assistant

Hello all! If you've been keeping up with me during my travels of Ruston, you've probably realized a few things about me. It's hard to overlook my love of shopping, running and coffee. These are arguably three of my favorite things, and they are by no means in short supply here in Ruston, La. 

Sue Paperie in Downtown Ruston 

Although I've already hit several shops in Ruston, last week I discovered Sue Paperie, an amazing little paper store and gift shop. This homey store is located in Downtown Ruston and can be easily spotted by its fun purple door. As someone who loves Lilly Pulitzer, Kate Spade and personalized stationary, I was in a state of pure bliss when I walked into this store. They carry a great selection of agendas, notebooks, notecards, stationary and more. With school right around the corner, I was in desperate need of a new agenda (my Lilly agenda is my lifeline). I was so excited to find a place in town that carries my favorite agenda and other great brands in office and stationary supplies. 

display at Sue Paperie 

I was also super impressed by the printing services offered by Sue Paperie. I would have never imaged that you could find a paper store in Ruston that specialized in invitations and personalized stationery, cards, gifts and more. I've also heard that they even host calligraphy classes every once in a while, so you can count on me being there for the next one! Sue Paperie is definitely a fun place to check out even if you don't need invitations or personalized supplies. An added bonus is the incredibly friendly and helpful staff that made my shopping experience much more enjoyable!

Huckleberry Trails

As I've mentioned before, I despise treadmills. I feel like I've been running an hour when only five measly minutes have passed. However, time seems to fly when I'm running outdoors, and I've quickly found that Ruston has some great options for outdoor exercise. Most recently I've discovered Huckleberry Trails, a park and nature area complete with great running trails that go through a beautiful woodsy area. The trails offer a variety of paths and a few inclines to keep your run engaging and challenging. There are signs posted all along the trail pointing you in the direction of the various paths you can take, which was reassuring and helpful to me the first time I went exploring out there. 

The park area has a playground, clean bathrooms, water fountains and a nice pavilion with picnic tables. There are also these cool metal structures in the park and around the trails that gives it a little more character. I was honestly impressed with how clean and well kept the park was. I was also a little curious as to why there weren't more people at this great spot. While it is somewhat tucked away back in a neighborhood, it's a perfect place to take the family for some time outdoors on a summer evening. If you are in or around the Ruston area, you should definitely visit! 

Railway Coffee's dark roast 

The coolest experience I've had in Ruston so far happened to involve my favorite thing in the whole wide world: coffee. I got the unbelievably cool experience to visit Railway Coffee last week for a behind-the-scenes look at their coffee roasting process. I won't give too much away right now, because I'll be sharing all about it later this week, but this experience was incredible. I got a chance to hear about the passion that the owners have not only for roasting coffee, but for the city of Ruston. I never imagined when I moved to Ruston that I would be able to enjoy coffee that was roasted less than a mile away from my house. I just can't get over how awesome that is. 

That's all I've got for now. Make sure you check back later this week to read more about my travels to Railway Coffee, and don't forget to sign up to follow the blog via email. Until next time, I'll see y'all around town!