An enduring tradition: Grambling State University vs. Southern University

THE tradition continues, and so does the rivalry. It has become, by practically all accounts, "the greatest and most distinguishable sporting event in all of Black America."

The Grambling State University Tigers vs. the Southern University Jaguars. When the two Louisiana schools line up against each other at this year's State Farm Bayou Classic on November 27, it will represent the 31st time the two powerhouses have faced each other, taking college football to a new level of excitement and meaning. "There's nothing like the Bayou Classic," according to Grambling State's new head coach Melvin Spears, who is the team's former offensive coordinator and assistant head coach. "It's another whole level."

It's not just a football game. It's a gathering. A happening. A reunion. And a meeting of the minds, where--among other things--community efforts can be organized and student concerns can be addressed. Additionally, the more than 200,000 fans who roll into New Orleans to enjoy the game pump millions into the city's annual economy.

But it's the historic game at the 76,000-plus-seat Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans that continues to be the highlight of a Thanksgiving Day weekend to remember. The game will nationally televised on NBC.

In last year's game, the 30th anniversary of the Bayou Classic, the two teams, in a back-and-forth thriller, turned in one of the most intense, exciting games in their history. When the dust finally cleared, Southern's Jaguars had outlasted a valiant Grambling team that lost 44 to 41. The victory allowed Southern to advance to the Southwestern Athletic Conference's championship game.

In a rugged game where the lead changed four times, Southern quarterback Quincy Richard threw for a career high 552 yards, 240 yards better than his previous best. "We knew it was going to be a shootout," Richard said. "This was the best [victory], because it gets us to the championship game."

The game represented Southern coach Pete Richardson's continued domination over the Tigers. It was his 10th victory in the 11 Bayou Classics he has coached. Additionally, the Jaguars' victory gives Southern a 16-14 edge in Classic victories since the historic schools first clashed in 1974 at New Orleans' Tulane Stadium. Grambling won that initial contest 21-0.

Aside from the game, at this year's gathering (as is the case each year), there will be a battle of the bands, the EBONY Gospel Brunch, cosmetics seminars, a Greek step show for cash prizes, a variety of top-notch entertainers to perform and the State Farm Bayou Classic Super Job Fair, which helps graduates of higher education locate postgraduate work.

The State Farm Bayou Classic is, as they say, "a party that's unmatched by any other." And the excitement surrounding this year's festivities will be no different. So as they say in New Orleans: "Laissez les bon temps roule!" ("Let the good times roll!").

GRAMBLING STATE UNIVERSITY

Offers 65 Degree Programs

Grambling State University

100 Main Street

Grambling, La. 71245

(318)247-3811

www.gram.edu

Grambling State University offers 65 degree programs of study in its colleges of science and technology, education, business, liberal arts, and its professional schools of nursing and social work. Degrees can be obtained through the doctoral level and the university awards the only doctorate in developmental education in the country. Special learning facilities include a computer-enriched library, a 50,000-watt campus radio station, and a state-of-the-art television center. Grambling was established in 1901 as a small relief school for Black farmers and is now a public, co-educational, comprehensive university.

SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY

Offers Degrees To The Doctoral Level

Southern University and A&M College

J.S. Clark Administration Building

Southern Branch Post Office

Baton Rouge, La. 70813

(225) 771-2011 (800) 256-1531

http://www.subr.edu

Southern University and Agricultural and Mechanical College in Baton Rouge offers programs in the arts and humanities, agriculture, home economics, business, architecture, engineering, nursing education, public policy and the sciences. Founded in 1880, it is the oldest and largest member institution in the Southern University System. It is located on 512 acres overlooking the Mississippi River. There is also a 372-acre experimental station, located 5 miles north of the main campus.

The State Farm
Bayou Classic

YEAR  WINNER     SCORE  ATTENDANCE

1974  Grambling  21-0     76,753
1975  Grambling  33-17    73,214
1976  Grambling  10-2     76,188
1977  Grambling  55-20    68,518
1978  Grambling  28-15    72,000
1979  Southern   14-7     67,500
1980  Grambling  43-6     75,000
1981  Southern   50-20    67,500
1982  Southern   22-17    71,555
1983  Grambling  24-10    58,199
1984  Grambling  31-29    51,752
1985  Grambling  29-12    57,041
1986  Grambling  30-3     58,960
1987  Southern   27-21    55,783
1988  Southern   10-3     55,450
1989  Grambling  44-30    64,333
1990  Grambling  25-13    70,600
1991  Southern   31-30    62,891
1992  Grambling  30-27    71,282
1993  Southern   31-13    72,586
1994  Southern   34-7     66,641
1995  Southern   30-14    67,361
1996  Southern   17-12    71,586
1997  Southern   30-7     64,500
1998  Southern   26-14    60,986
1999  Southern   37-31    67,641
2000  Southern   33-29    72,000
2001  Grambling  30-20    67,345
2002  Southern   48-24    59,745
2003  Southern   44-41    76,753

COPYRIGHT 2004 Johnson Publishing Co.
COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group