Jags speak out about Bayou Classic’s future

The next location of the 32nd State Farm Bayou Classic has brought opinions and questions from Southern University students, faculty and also alumni.
Since the Louisiana Superdome cannot host the game due to damage suffered from Hurricane Katrina, Ralph Slaughter, coordinator of the Bayou Classic, has to look at other site options. At least 10 cities across the country have inquired about accommodating one of the nation’s top rivalries and the list is getting longer.
An official listing of proposed cities has not been released, but one thing is for sure, Southern and Grambling State University will face off Thanksgiving weekend; the only issue is where it will be held.
“Houston will open their arms even wider than we did for the evacuees,” said Houston resident and SU alum Keith Bynum. “Houston is called ‘the Bayou City,’ and since the move is only temporary, it would be much more convenient to have it here than anywhere else.
“We have more amenities and we can accommodate the crowd,” Bynum said.
Michael Wells, a counselor in Southern’s financial aid office, said he isn’t going to be picky about where the game will be held.
“I don’t care where it is, I just don’t want to be outside for the Bayou Classic,” Wells said. “I’d rather see it in Atlanta, but as long as it is in a dome, I don’t care.”
Officials from Atlanta have inquired about hosting the game, as well as Houston. Atlanta is an eight hour drive or hour-long flight from Baton Rouge, while Houston is only a four hour drive, but there are some who are willing to go far, far away to see Southern and Grambling State play each other.
“I would like to see the Bayou Classic in Hawaii,” said Veronica Richardson, academic advisor and Freshman Academy coordinator at Southern. “I would like to go to a place that I’ve never been before.”
Tiger Stadium, located on the campus of Louisiana State University, is a site where some alumni said they think the game should be.
“If we keep the game in Baton Rouge, the economic impact would be great,” said SU alumnus and former Southern employee and Jabari Morgan.
“Besides, since we are housing evacuees from the New Orleans area, it would boost the morale and spirits of the so many people who were affected by Katrina.”
“If we have the game here, the sense of culture and the feel of the Bayou Classic wouldn’t be lost. Perhaps with all the money we could make from this, the school could buy another Lacumba.”