SU student body wants Bayou Classic to stay in New Orleans

Thanksgiving weekend in New Orleans is more than food and family for black college football fans.
For 27 years it has been the setting for the Bayou Classic, now sponsored by State Farm.
The game’s contract with the Louisiana Superdome expires after this season, which leaves organizers examining their options for next year.
The city of New Orleans states that the Classic attracts more than 200,000 visitors giving a $50 million-dollar impact to New Orleans and the State of Louisiana.
So, should the Classic be moved from New Orleans?
In a random sample survey conducted on Southern University’s campus 89 percent said NO!
“Why take the biggest black college game in America out of the state in which it originated,” Anderson Dye, a senior education major said.
Of those 89 percent most people felt like it would be ruining a popular tradition.
Those who opposed felt it is time for a change.
The first Bayou Classic was played in Shreveport’s historic Fair Park Stadium now known as Independence Stadium before 40,000 fans in 1974.
In 1975, the game moved to Tulane Stadium in New Orleans where it was played before 81,000 fans.
After the completion of the Superdome in 1976, it has been the home of the Bayou Classic for the last 25 years.
The Jaguars lead the series 14 to 13 with an eight game winning streak, the longest consecutive-win streak in the history of the Classic.
It’s not just a game to most people on this campus, it’s a traditional multi-faceted event which provides numerous activities for thousands of Jaguars and Tiger fans.
According to Frank Ransburg, department of political science instructor, New Orleans attracts more than just a football game, they have fine restaurants, good entertainment, and a festive atmosphere.”