SU home games an experience like no other

On Sept. 17, at 7 p.m., the Southern University football team will kick off its first home game of the 2005 season against Prairie View A&M University.
But newcomers beware, this is not just a game, this is an experience like none other, according to Southern alumnus Jacob Brown.
“I always look forward to home games,” Brown said. “Nowhere else can you get good food, a great game and even more fun afterwards. Only at Southern an opposing team’s fan will get fed before the game; chastised during the game and consoled with a libation afterwards.
“I happen to do a lot of chastising,” he said. “So I love it.”
Entertainment at its best is what describes the atmosphere on The Bluff. Comprised of many aspects, the home game experience starts first with a love for the football team.
Despite losing in the Southwest Athletic Championship title game last season (and their first loss in 12 meetings to Mississippi Valley State last Saturday), head coach Pete Richardson and his Jaguars are arguably the reason for tailgating and celebrating, even during the losses. Besides when you have a coach that has won four 11-win seasons, and the 2003 conference title; including back-to-back crowns in 1997, 1998 and 1999, you can’t help but back the home team.
“Everybody loves a champion,” Brown said. “And the Jaguars are our champs, even when they lose.”
Besides the game, an attraction rivaling the football game is the “Gametime at Halftime,” or the performance by the Southern University “Human Jukebox” Marching Band.
“A lot of people come to the games just to hear the band,” said Ashley McGowan, a sophomore trumpet player from Raymond, Miss. “We work hard to make sure we always give our all in order to have a top-notch performance since we are known to be the best.”
The band, under direction of the legendary Dr. Isaac Greggs is known across the globe for their sound, precision drills and performance and of course, the “Dancing Dolls.”
“I love Southern football, but I always went to the games for the band,” said Ollie Howard, a Southern alumna. “Even when I was in school, ‘Doc’ was the director and you would rarely catch me in my seat during the games.”
If that’s not enough for newcomers, the nationally renowned Southern University cheerleaders and its mascot Lacumba display aerial acrobatics along with the latest dance moves to keep the fans hype.
Regardless of whatever reason Southern supporters show up on The Bluff during a home game, in the end, there is always the social aspect. As many as an estimated 100,000 gathered at homecoming last season; setting the stage possibly for even more during the 2005 season.
“I personally am not a huge football fan,” said Deleceia Banks, a sophomore Biology major from Houston. “I go to the game to see the sights basically and to be a part of a major event happening on campus.”