SU Midshipman run 91-mile relay to honor military service members

The annual 91-mile Bayou Classic Spirit and Motivational Relay will commence at 6 a.m. on Friday, November 28 from Southern’s campus to the ball game in the New Orleans Superdome.
This year’s theme is “A Tribute to Those Away from Home Defending Freedom” and honors the men and women in uniform serving their country.
A secondary theme is “Expanding Awareness of Naval Scholarship Opportunities,” highlighting the tremendous opportunities for education and career that Naval Scholarships afford.
“It’s gratifying to see such wide-spread support for the relay,” said Captain Jeffrey Kendall Sapp, Southern’s Professor of Naval Science and Commanding Officer of the school’s Naval ROTC unit. “Honoring America’s service members is something that we do everyday, however, the relay affords a chance to do so in a very public venue. It also assists in making area students more aware of Naval Scholarship Opportunities while contributing to the spirit and energy surrounding the Bayou Classic.”
Run by the Southern University’s 60 person Battalion of Navy and Marine Corps Midshipmen–most of whom are on a full Naval scholarship–the relay is part of pre-game publicity for the November 29 Bayou Classic football game between the Southern Jaguars and Grambling Tigers. Several university deans and other school leaders may also participate.
The relay starts at 6 a.m. on Friday November 28, at 6 a.m., adjacent to the F. G. Clark Activity Center and progresses down Airline Highway to New Orleans.
The men and women of the Battalion of Midshipmen start the relay together, exiting the campus via Harding towards Airline Highway.
Once on Airline, ranks of midshipmen will stop running progressively until only one is carrying the football to another, and the relay continued until approximately 5:30 p.m. when the game ball arrives in New Orleans.
After safeguarding the game ball overnight, midshipmen reform as a battalion, then run the game ball into the Superdome to present it to the head referee so he may commence the game.
Baton Rouge’s WVLA Channel 33 will provide live coverage of the relay start and periodic updates throughout the relay.