The Run Down: Bayou Classic 2017

This year marks the 44th anniversary of one of the greatest HBCU rivalries in American history; Bayou Classic 2017.
The Southern Jaguars and the Grambling Tigers face off on the gridiron in New Orleans, LA to battle for the opportunity to compete for the SWAC championship title.
Every year, over 200,000 spectators flock to The Crescent City to take part in the historic rivalry that “embodies a family friendly atmosphere and fosters an economic impact of over $50 million to the greater city of New Orleans.”
The legendary game between Southern and Grambling was held for the first time in 1974 at Tulane Stadium. 43 years later, the spectacle is held in what is now known as the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.
Last year’s game brought out a crowd of about 68,000 people. The Greek Show and Battle of the Bands performances enticed about 30,000 fans to cheer on the melodic tunes of their favorite marching band.
The “weeklong series of entertaining and socially enriching events from November 20-25” officially kick off on Friday morning.
To initiate the week-long celebration, the official Bayou Class Press Conference was held in the Superdome on Monday at 10 a.m.
“This is more than a game. It’s the band, competition, and opportunity to celebrate amongst all of us,” stated President-Chancellor of the Southern University System (SUS), Dr. Ray L. Belton.
A Board of Supervisors (BOS) meeting will be held on November 24 at 9 a.m. at the Hyatt Regency in New Orleans.
Board members will conduct the monthly meeting in The Crescent City in honor of Bayou Classic.
Kicking off at 1 PM is the highly anticipated BizTech Challenge. In its second year, the competition is a chance for students to showcase their entrepreneurship capabilities.
Students will be allowed a maximum of 7 minutes in addition to an Q&A session lasting 5 minutes where judges will choose the first place winner based on the business model, innovation, development and technical achievement of their projects.
The doors of the Mercedes-Benz Superdome will swing open at 5 p.m. Friday evening, allowing fans to pack the stands to cheer on their beloved university during the day’s premier event; the Greek Show and the Battle of the Bands competition.
Presented by McDonald’s, the Greek Show gives the members of their respective Divine 9 organizations, the chance to go head to head in an intense battle to win the monetary grand prize.
Directly following the Greek Show is the Battle of the Bands, presented by the U.S. Marine Corps.
The Human Jukebox and The World Famed Tiger Marching Band plan to leave it all on the field as they use their musical instruments to delight, entertain and compete.
A sophomore Nursing major from Baton Rouge, Nazsha Demoulin, stated, “I like the battle of the bands until it starts getting boring then I’m looking forward to winning the game and being out and hanging out with my friends.”
According to mybayouclassic.com, “The Bayou Classic commemorates historically black colleges and universities, academic achievement, tradition, sportsmanship, marching bands, and friendly competition. The “Classic” is an exhibition of the high standards of academic achievement deeply embedded in the traditions of the two institutions.”
The Bayou Classic parade will be held on Saturday, November 25. Usually the parade is held on Thanksgiving Day, but in efforts of building the momentum to the big showdown, the parade will roll from N. Peters Street and Elysian Fields to Loyola and Perdido, beginning at 9:30 a.m.
Immediately following the parade is the Fan Festival sponsored by Cox Communications and it will be from 11:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m in Champions Square.
Musical artists such as T.I., Jacquees, and K Camp will grace the stage and give fans an invigorating pre-game performance.
The football game on November 25 serves as the finale of the weeklong celebration, with kickoff beginning at 4 p.m.
The Southern Jaguars and the Grambling Tigers will get their chance to battle it out in the ultimate clash of the cats. Southern has a record of (7-3, 6-1 SWAC) while Grambling boasts a record of (9-1, 7-0 SWAC).
“I am beyond grateful to be a Head Coach of such a divine university like Southern University and let’s have nothing but fun cheering your team to victory,” stated Odums during Monday’s press conference.
The halftime show will be the highlight of the game as The Human Jukebox and The World Famed Marching Band take the stage and do what they do best; entertain
The winner of this game will compete in the Toyota SWAC Football Chmpionship on Dec. 2 in Houston.
Tickets for the game, BOTB and the Greek Show can be purchased via Ticketmaster.
For more information and a detailed schedule of events, download the offical Bayou Classic Mobile App or visit www.mybayouclassic.com.