There should be a good chance that LSU would fund
a quiz bowl organization. Since it is academically
competitive, student government may look kindly on you. I was
a bit confused when I read about the reluctance of
OU's student government to fund their organization,
seeing as they were also an academically competitive
organization which could attract bright students. Louisiana
state schools would jump at that opportunity.
Also, if you express the fact that collegiate quiz bowl
in Louisiana is on the rise (LSU, UL-Lafayette, La
Tech), you could also help your chances of getting
funded.
As for finding members, look to the honors
program. All of the interested people that I've spoken to
at ULL are in honors. Every year, the honors
programs of all Louisiana colleges/universities
participate in an honors convention (which we are hosting
this year). One of the events in the convention is
quiz bowl. Go to the honors program at LSU and find
students who participate in this event. I'm sure that they
would love to play quiz bowl that is more
multi-dimensional.
MH