’09 season already generating buzz

Southern’s athletic program put the finishing touches on one of its better weeks in recent history Wednesday.
For starters, SU football head coach Pete Richardson and athletic director Greg LaFleur took part in the schools ceremony for its A.W. Mumford Stadium north end zone enclosure scheduled to open in August. The three-story athletic facility, worth a reported $ 16.5 million is decked out with football offices, theater style meeting rooms, locker rooms for the football and men and women’s track teams; a modernized weight room, 2,500 seats and several luxury suites. The complex will also have an SU Hall of Fame with pictures of former players and coaches.
Then, Wednesday, LaFleur confirmed SU will host its first Thursday night home game in school history Oct. 22. SU will play Prairie View at 7 p.m. live on ESPNU.
Lastly, LaFleur gave word he and officials from Tennessee State finalized an agreement that will guarantee the Jaguars a home-and-home series with the Tigers through 2011. Tennessee State will visit SU Sept. 19 for the first part of the series and the Jaguars will return the trip to Nashville, Tenn., in 2011.
SU and Tennessee State played a home-and-home series the last two seasons. The Jaguars beat Tennessee State 41-34 in Baton Rouge in 2007, and lost 34-32 at LP Field last year.
During the season Richardson said he’d like the series to continue. Wednesday he got his wish.
“I always thought that series was very important to us,” Richardson said. “It’s a huge rivalry that we used to be involved in but got away from. They have a competitive program over there and we’re looking forward to keeping it going.”
So what about the students?
“We’re in talks with (Chancellor Lomotey) to schedule fall break during the week of our Thursday night game,” LaFleur said. “This year we want it to be that weekend because there is no way to have a game while classes are going on.”
As for Richardson, he said he and his assistants will game-plan for PV before the shortened game week arrives. He said they plan to watch film and prepare for the Panthers even as they gear up to play that yet-to-be-determined opponent on Oct. 17.
“It’s kind of strange because it breaks up the routine of what you have to do (for) preparation,” Richardson said. “Hopefully we can come out of the game before without any major injuries because we are only going to have three days to get ready to play.”
Why Thursday?
SU’s move to Thursday night is a result of the television deal between the Southwestern Athletic Conference and ESPN.
The SWAC had three Thursday night ESPNU games in 2008: Arkansas-Pine Bluff at Alcorn State on Sept. 18; Mississippi Valley State at Alabama State on Sept. 25; and Grambling at Texas Southern on Nov. 20. The SWAC will also have three Thursday night ESPNU games in 2009.
“It’s new for us (at SU) but as part of the SWAC’s contract with ESPN, we guaranteed three Thursday night games each year. This year it was our turn to play on Thursday.”
Added Richardson, “This game will give us the exposure we need. Any time you play on national television it speaks well for your program and institution.”
What about the players?
“The players are excited about this opportunity also because they would rather play than practice,” Richardson said.
Will SU play on Thursday night in the future?
“It depends on what happens,” LaFleur said. “Right now we have no plans of doing it in the future.”
Richardson’s vision
Almost two decades ago when Richardson arrived in Baton Rouge from Winston Salem State, he dreamed of having an athletic facility exclusive to the football team. Even though it’s been a long time coming, he’s happy to see his vision nearing completion.
“That’s something that’s sorely needed,” Richardson said. “We’ve been pressing for it for some years because it will really help our football program.”
“Not only will our weight room will be larger so we can accommodate more equipment, but a lot of recruits make comparisons about facilities, so this should help us a lot.”