Jags’ loss of fans may result from loss of games

After the Jags captured the Southwestern Athletic Conference Title in 2003, Southern’s football program has been on a steady decline due to injuries, off the field incidents and untimely departures of its players. Though the program may have suffered, the attendance by the Jaguar Nation has not slacked often, but there was a noticeable absence of Southern’s faithful this year.
“I am a huge SU football fan,” said Steven Sanders, a Southern alumnus. “I am not one of those fair-weather fans who only support a team when they are winning, so I try to go to every game I can.”
Southern’s home game attendance has steadily decreased throughout the four home games played this season. Though the Homecoming attendance was well over 24,600 fans, the Jags’ game against Alcorn State saw a decrease of nearly 3,000 people. During Southern’s final home game against rival Jackson State, A.W. Mumford Stadium was not even filled. A stark contrast to prior Southern-Jackson State games, which are either at the Louisiana Superdome or at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium in Jackson, Miss.
Perhaps the drop in attendance could be contributed to the losing record Southern is in jeopardy of experiencing; it could be head coach Pete Richardson’s first on The Bluff. The Jaguars are currently 2-4 overall.
“The record of the football team has not affected my attendance,” said Reginald Rackley, Ph.D., a Southern psychology professor and avid fan. “These young men are still student athletes and I will support them no matter how well they play. I have noticed, however, that less paraphernalia is worn on the Monday after a loss.”
For some, it’s not the football team that attracts fans. It is usually the band.
“The football team’s record has not really affected my attendance at the game,” said Brittni Allen, a sophomore political science major from Alexandria. “I usually pay more attention to the band, especially if the football team is losing.”