Making a Classic Entrance

The Bayou Classic is an event that weighs heavily with Louisiana natives, as the competition between the football teams of Southern University and Grambling State University is as long and fierce as the rivalry between students and alumni from both schools. Pre-game events most people are aware of are the illustrious Battle of the Bands, the Greek Show, and of course, tailgating. While the Greeks and Human Jukebox are the well-known contributors to this historic game, there is another SU organization that many may not know has been participating since 1992; the Naval ROTC Training Corps.
The tradition began with a few Marines who wanted to deliver the game ball in ceremonious fashion. They decided to run from the Baton Rouge campus of Southern University to the New Orleans (now Mercedes-Benz) Superdome.
The runners train on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays from 5:45 to 7 a.m. before the actual run, which begins at the F. G. Clark Activity Center. From there, 100-mile journey to the Superdome begins at five in the morning.
According to Staff Sargent Bell Angel, 56 volunteers will run in a relay-style rotation, alternating every two minutes to preserve energy, and give everyone a chance to hold the football. Every year the group tries to beat the previous year’s time record, with last year’s being eight hours and 47 minutes.