Jackson State to make approximately
$600,000 in game
Guy King
Staff Writer
The old saying, “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas” will not be the case on Sept. 1, 2016. The Jackson State University Tigers will take on the Tigers of the University of Nevada at Las Vegas in a historic meeting between the two universities.
A press conference was held on Feb. 8 to announce the tentative arrangements and schedule for the football game. JSU Athletics Director Wheeler Brown and President Carolyn W. Meyers were present for the announcement along with Darrel Seibel, the deputy athletic director of UNLV and Lawrence Weekly, chairman of Las Vegas’ Convention Visitors and Authority.
JSU is set to receive $300,000 from UNLV and $300,000 from the Las Vegas Convention Visitors and Authority for a total of $600,000. The university will use some of the funds to transport the football team, band, cheerleaders and other auxiliary groups that are necessary for JSU football games.
The games partnership was initiated by Weekly, who is a graduate of Grambling State University.
“Being a product of an HBCU, how about UNLV playing one of our schools?” said Weekly to his UNLV administration.
UNLV gave Weekly the approval, and he began to reach out to universities and started a formal agreement with JSU.
Students had mixed feelings about how the game would benefit JSU.
Cory Davis, a senior mass communication major from Vicksburg, Miss., sees only positive things coming from the matchup.
“I am very excited about the upcoming game this year. It’s a great opportunity for the University to compete against another great football team. Not to mention, it’s in Las Vegas, so to have the opportunity to visit such a great city will be nice too. It’s great promotion for the university as well,” said Davis.
Ansel Heidelburg, a senior elementary education major from Jackson, Miss. said, “This game is going to be a bright accomplishment for HBCU’s. It shows no matter where you go our (JSU) name carries throughout the nation. As far as the $600,000, that’s nice but the initiatives taken should go towards our school. Although I’m a commuter, I still care about our campus. It’s all about the vision.”
Other students agree that the game is a good idea but feel not many will be able to afford to travel to support the Tigers.
“It’s a good look for JSU but the attendance will be poor,” said Alex Gatewood, a senior elementary education major from Jackson, Miss.
Natalie Nicholson, a senior political science major from Memphis, Tenn. said, “I do not think it is smart for us to spend money to go all the way to Vegas and possibly lose. Students would not have the option of even attending that game. Who is going to pay for that? [students to attend the game] The university just does not care about the people who put money into the school.”
Wesley Peterson, JSU sports media manager, stated the University is exploring affordable travel options for students.
“There are plans in the works to provide some type of assistance for students to go to the game. Once that plan is completed it will be distributed to the campus and other communities,” said Peterson.
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