Grambling State President Frank G. Pogue says there are no talks about changing the Southern University and Grambling State University matchup
The Bayou Classic will be played between Grambling State University and Southern University this fall -- and in the future, according to Grambling State University President Frank G. Pogue.
The historic football matchup pits the Southern University Jaguars against the Grambling State University Tigers on November 29 at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, this time with the winner breaking the tied number of wins at 20-20. During a Wednesday meeting of the Louisiana Stadium and Exposition District board, concerns were raised about the Bayou Classic, an annual football matchup between two historically black universities and the only HBCU football game aired on national television.
“We know that nearly everyone is passionate about the Bayou Classic, and that includes Grambling State alums as well as people who enjoy the rivalry and all that takes place on and off the field each fall,” said Pogue. “This is a fierce, competitive rivalry in terms of football but it is nothing short of a good, strong marriage between two world-class institutions when it comes to putting on a tremendous week of activities and events on and off the field.”
“There is no discussion to change this historic matchup, and there are no plans to change this annual challenge in any way,” added Pogue.
The president noted that the Bayou Classic matches up well with other HBCU classics in terms of football game attendance and surpasses most other classics when it comes to drawing fans and supporters across the multiple-day event. The Bayou Classic annually draws about 250,000 to the Crescent City the week of Thanksgiving.
The LSED is responsible for the operation of the John A. Alario Sr. Event Center, Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans Arena, New Orleans Saints Training Facility, TPC Louisiana, and Zephyr Field. The Bayou Classic is coordinated and marketed by the New Orleans Convention Company, known as NOCCI. Southern University and Grambling State University jointly own, operate and coordinate the Bayou Classic with NOCCI as its event and marketing firm.
# # #
About Grambling State University
Grambling State University, located in Grambling, Louisiana, is a historically black university founded in 1901. The University has been accredited by 13 accrediting associations and holds accreditations in all programs required by the Louisiana Board of Regents. The 590-acre campus offers 47 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Grambling State University is a member of the University of Louisiana System.
Posted By: Reginald Culpepper
Friday, June 20th 2014 at 7:37PM
You can also
click
here to view all posts by this author...
