The return of the State Farm Bayou Classic: the annual Grambling-Southern clash and other returning sports events give a boost to the flood-ravaged city

IT's back! After Hurricane Katrina ripped the roof of the Louisiana Superdome, the State Farm Bayou Classic, for the first time since 1975, was played at a new location, Reliant Stadium in Houston. But following an estimated $139 million in repairs, the 33rd annual Bayou Classic, with all of its tradition, magic and excitement, returns to the Superdome on November 25.

In the midst of New Orleans' transition to rebuild, restore and recover, one of the biggest economic and emotional boosts to the city and its residents is the return of major sporting events, including the New Orleans Saints' return to the Superdome, where the city has hosted more Super Bowls than any other city.

With only about 25 percent of New Orleans' population in the city more than a year after Katrina and with tourism, the engine that keeps the economy running, down by 60 percent, the recovery will depend more than ever on visitors coming back to the city that, before Katrina, was among the country's most appealing locations.

That appeal made New Orleans, formerly described as "the sportsman's paradise," the perfect spot for the All-State Sugar Bowl, NCAA men's and women's Final Fours, track and field championships, USA volleyball, professional golf tournaments and NBA basketball. In fact, in 2008, the city--home of the NBA's Hornets--is scheduled to host the NBA All-Star game.

While New Orleans takes steps to recover from Katrina's devastation, the return of the Bayou Classic is one event that will greatly contribute to the city's healing process. The traditional clash between the Grambling State Tigers and the Southern University Jaguars is described as "a unique family fellowship that exists within a football game." The weeklong event, which normally pumps an estimated $90 million into the economy, serves as a kind of homecoming and reunion, attracting about 200,000 people who come from around the country to enjoy the city and the variety of Classic activities, including a job fair, fan festival, an academic all-star challenge, a college fair, and the McDonald's Battle of the Bands & Greek Show.

At last year's game, with 53,214 fans in attendance, Grambling State, in a high-scoring contest, won 50 to 35, giving Grambling and Southern I 16 victories apiece in the Bayou Classic contests.

Looking forward, the one-year absence from New Orleans is not likely to dampen the enthusiasm for a classic football rivalry that has been such a fan-favorite for so long. In fact, the return to New Orleans is likely to heighten the appeal of a phenomenon that just seems to get better and better.

After $139 million in repairs to the Hurricane Katrina-damaged Louisiana Superdome (left), New Orleans is welcoming back a number of revenue-generating sporting events, including the annual State Farm Bayou Classic (above, right) and the NFL's New Orleans Saints, led by (right) Heisman Trophy winner Reggie Bush.

After the game, Grambling coach Melvin Spears, with quarterback Bruce Eugene looking on, is presented the State Farm Bayou Classic trophy by Wallace Lewis, State Farm vice president of agency of Illinois. During check presentations (below, I. to r.), State Farm agent James Banks presents Grambling president Dr. Horace A. Judson a $202,500 check, and Southern chancellor Dr. Edward R. Jackson receives an equal amount from State Farm agent Freddie Gant. At bottom, Jackson and Judson receive checks from (I.) Chuck Morrison, executive vice president/general manager of Uniworld Group, Detroit, and Marc Perry (r.), Ford's multicultural marketing manager.

During the weeklong activities, SWAC commissioner Robert C. Vowels speaks to student-athletes at the State Farm Bayou Classic Coaches' Luncheon, presented by the U.S. Marines. The Southern University Dancing Dolls (below) perform at the McDonald's Battle of the Bands & Greek Show, Grambling's Orchesis Dance Company also performed.

Bayou Classic Results

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         72,586
2003     Southern      44-41         70,151
2004     Grambling     24-13         68,911
2005     Grambling     50-35         53,214

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