A Grambling senior and a Southern senior are preparing for their final Bayou Classic as students. It’s the same game, but not necessarily the same experience.
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This article was produced in partnership with Procter & Gamble as part of the P&G HBCYOU Tour, powered by HBCU GO, which celebrates HBCU culture and student experiences at events including the 53rd Bayou Classic.
Every Thanksgiving weekend, tens of thousands of people make their way to New Orleans for the Bayou Classic. Since 1974, the annual meeting between Grambling State University and Southern University has grown into one of the most celebrated traditions in college athletics, a weekend of football, music, family and fellowship that has generated an estimated $50 million in economic impact for the region in previous years.
For anyone connected to either school, the Classic is more than a date on the calendar. It’s a tradition passed down through generations. Families plan their holidays around it, alumni treat it as a homecoming, and students look forward to it from the first weeks of the fall semester.
This year’s Bayou Classic is also among the marquee events included in Procter & Gamble’s HBCYOU Tour, powered by HBCU GO. The HBCYOU Tour celebrates HBCU culture and student experiences, creating opportunities for students to share their stories, traditions and moments that define their college journeys.
On Nov. 28, the 53rd Bayou Classic will once again bring both schools to the Caesars Superdome. Among the students preparing for the weekend are Paris Robinson, a senior at Grambling State, and Curtis Williams Jr., a senior at Southern.
Both chose to attend an HBCU. Both are part of communities shaped by generations of tradition. And both are approaching what they expect to be their final Bayou Classic as students. However, they’ll experience the weekend through two different lenses, shaped by the campus they call home and the school colors they proudly wear.
Robinson is a criminal justice major who carries a 3.8 GPA and serves as the 73rd Miss Grambling State University. She co-founded the Unapologetic Modeling Troupe and has held several other campus leadership roles. This year, she is also a P&G HBCYOU student ambassador.
“I chose Grambling because of its rich legacy, the unmatched family atmosphere and its historic standard of excellence,” Robinson said.
Williams is a first-generation college student majoring in rehabilitation services and counseling at Southern University. He is involved with the school’s gospel choir, the honors college and the Men’s Federation. Like Robinson, he is a P&G HBCYOU student ambassador.
“As a first-generation college student, I was inspired to pursue higher education and create opportunities not only for myself but also for my family and the community I come from,” Williams said. “Southern has given me a place to grow academically, personally and professionally.”
This is one Bayou Classic, seen through both of their eyes.
Before the Weekend: Rivalry Week on the Yard
For students at Grambling and Southern, the Bayou Classic begins weeks before kickoff. Even with the semester winding down, the conversation on the yard always finds its way back to the game, the bands, the Greek step show and the weekend ahead.
The rivalry is one both schools look forward to all year, with state bragging rights on the line for the next 12 months. In north Louisiana, Grambling students have their own ideas about what this year’s weekend should look like, and a four-game losing streak to Southern gives them added motivation. Meanwhile, 200 miles away in Baton Rouge, Southern students are just as eager to make it five in a row.
The game connects the two campuses, but each institution has its own culture and traditions, some of which outsiders rarely get to see.
At Grambling, Robinson described the week as “pure energy.”
“You can feel the shift in the yard and the dorms as students prepare to leave and celebrate their Thanksgiving in New Orleans,” she said. “Everyone is hyping each other up, planning their rides and getting their looks put together for the weekend.”
In Baton Rouge, the buildup looks much the same. Williams said students spend the week preparing their outfits, customizing clothes and getting fresh haircuts while they coordinate plans with friends.
“It’s almost like a countdown,” he said, “because everyone is anticipating the moment we finally make our way to New Orleans.”
For Robinson and Williams, this year’s Classic carries the added significance of knowing their time as undergraduates is drawing to a close.
The Road to New Orleans
Geography is one of the clearest differences between the two schools.
For Grambling students, the journey stretches across much of Louisiana, making the trip itself part of the weekend experience. For Southern students, New Orleans is roughly an hour and a half down Interstate 10, close enough that the Bayou Classic can almost feel like a home game.
But how students actually make that journey and what happens along the way can be as memorable as the events awaiting them in New Orleans.
For Robinson, the trip starts early.
“Departing for New Orleans early Thursday morning means the drive usually begins on a quiet note, with most passengers resting during the first leg of the trip,” she said. “As the sun comes up and everyone wakes up along the route, the atmosphere shifts into excitement, conversation and anticipation long before we arrive in the city.”
Williams usually drives or rides the bus with the university.
“The trip is always exciting because the energy starts before we even arrive,” he said. “Whether we’re riding with classmates or traveling alongside other Jaguars, everyone is talking about their plans for the weekend, playing music and getting into the Bayou Classic mode. By the time we get to New Orleans, you can already feel that something special is happening.”
Of course, getting there is only part of the preparation.
There’s the question of what to wear, where to stay, who to meet and which events absolutely cannot be missed.
For students, Bayou Classic weekend represents an opportunity to reconnect with friends, celebrate school pride and participate in traditions that extend well beyond the football field.
The Bayou Classic schedule offers plenty of opportunities for both fan bases to come together.
The Thanksgiving Day Parade is scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 26. The Battle of the Bands and Greek Show take center stage Friday night, followed by Saturday’s football game at 1 p.m.
Yet even with a shared schedule, two students can spend the same weekend in New Orleans and come away with completely different experiences.
For Robinson, the weekend looks different than it does for most students. As Miss Grambling State, her schedule is built around official duties.
“During Classic weekend, my schedule is packed with official responsibilities, from attending the Coaches Luncheon and participating in our community service project to taking part in the parade, the Battle of the Bands and the Bayou Classic game itself,” she said. “I am consistently surrounded by my court, leadership team and close friends as we navigate each event. I make it a priority to proudly represent our university at every turn.”
Williams’ weekend is built around food, friends and, surprisingly, a few Tigers.
“My Classic weekend is all about good food, great friends and making memories,” he said. “I love exploring local restaurants in New Orleans, and one of my favorite spots from last year was Monday’s Restaurant. I usually spend the weekend with my best friends from Southern, and we make it a point to link up with our hometown friends who attend Grambling State. Getting everyone together is one of my favorite parts because even though we attend rival schools, we still get to celebrate our friendships and enjoy the weekend together.”
Friday Night: The Battle of the Bands
For many Bayou Classic fans, the competition begins long before Saturday’s football game.
Friday night’s Battle of the Bands brings two of the most recognizable marching bands in HBCU culture together under one roof: Grambling State’s World Famed Tiger Marching Band and Southern University’s Human Jukebox.
It’s a showcase of musical excellence, showmanship and school pride. And depending on which side of the Superdome you’re sitting on, there is rarely much debate about who won the night.
Everyone hears the same music. But the experience can be entirely different depending on which band you’re cheering for.
“Experiencing the Greek Step Show and the Battle of the Bands from the stands is unforgettable,” Robinson said. “The precision, high energy and pride displayed create an extraordinary atmosphere. When our band takes the field for the Battle of the Bands or our Greek organizations step, the enthusiasm from our section is incredible.”
Williams didn’t hesitate when asked about Friday night.
“The Battle of the Bands is my favorite part of the entire weekend!” he said. “It’s when everyone really comes out, and you get to reunite with people you may not have seen in a while. The atmosphere is unmatched. You have the sound of the bands, the crowd representing their schools and everyone bringing their own energy and school pride. It’s one of those moments that reminds you how special HBCU culture is. The Greek Step Show brings its own excitement, showcasing the tradition, talent and unity within the Divine Nine.”
The Battle of the Bands illustrates something unique about the Bayou Classic.
While football brings the schools together for the annual matchup, the bands have helped make the weekend a cultural celebration that reaches far beyond the scoreboard.
For students on both sides, the music, pageantry and traditions are part of what makes the weekend so memorable.
Saturday: One Game, Two Sides
Saturday starts at the Bayou Classic Fan Fest, where P&G’s HBCYOU Activation, powered by HBCU GO, will be on site from 9 a.m. to noon with immersive brand experiences, fun photo opportunities, free products and giveaways.
By Saturday afternoon, the attention shifts to the football field.
The rivalry has a long memory on both sides. Grambling won the inaugural Bayou Classic in 1974, while Southern won last year’s meeting 28-27.
For students, the outcome of the game can mean another year of claiming the rivalry. But the memories associated with the Classic often extend well beyond the final score.
Ask students on either side about their favorite Bayou Classic memory, and the answers rarely start with either team scoring a touchdown. They talk about the first time they saw the Human Jukebox and the World Famed Tiger Marching Band perform inside the Superdome, the step show performance that had the whole building talking or running into classmates, alumni and family members they had not seen in years. The football game is the reason everyone comes, but those moments are what keep them coming back.
For Robinson, the memory that stands out came at the very beginning.
“My favorite Bayou Classic memory so far was attending as Miss Freshman,” she said. “Being able to experience the magnitude of Classic weekend for the first time in that title role was truly unforgettable and set the foundation for my entire college journey.”
“One of my favorite memories was being selected as the first Bayou Classic influencer in 2024,” Williams said. “Working alongside other influencers created such a great environment and gave me the opportunity to connect with people who shared my passion for content creation, HBCU culture and storytelling. It allowed me to experience the Classic from a different perspective while representing Southern University and showcasing what makes our culture so special.”
For all the competition, there is also a connection between the two schools that makes this rivalry different from many others.
Grambling and Southern share histories rooted in the mission of historically Black colleges and universities. Both have produced generations of graduates who have made significant contributions to sports, education, business and public service.
That shared foundation doesn’t diminish the rivalry. If anything, it helps explain why the game matters so much.
Because sometimes the school you enjoy beating the most is also the one whose history and traditions you understand better than anyone else’s.
“What the opposing side often gets wrong is saying things like ‘Grambling isn’t a state,’ when in reality we are a state university located right here in Grambling, Louisiana,” Robinson said. “However, I greatly respect their tradition and the deep pride they bring to this rivalry, as it inspires both institutions to perform at their best each year.”
Williams couldn’t resist a little trash talk of his own before getting serious.
“What do they get wrong about Southern? They think they have a chance to win!” he said. “All jokes aside, one thing I respect about Grambling is how the rivalry brings attention to and celebrates HBCUs. We may compete fiercely on the field and in the stands, but at the end of the day, we share a love for our institutions, our traditions and the legacy of HBCUs.”
The competition may divide the stadium for a few hours, but the experiences connecting these students reflect a larger HBCU community.
The Last One
For Robinson and Williams, this year’s Bayou Classic represents more than another opportunity to celebrate school pride.
It is a reminder of how quickly four years can pass.
The next time they experience the rivalry, they may be returning as alumni, joining generations of former students who continue to make the annual trip to New Orleans.
But this November represents something they won’t get back: the opportunity to experience the Bayou Classic as undergraduates.
“Navigating my final Classic as a student is a deeply meaningful experience,” Robinson said. “I am incredibly grateful for the memories and opportunities I have had at Grambling.”
“It’s honestly crazy to think that this will be my last Bayou Classic as a student,” Williams said. “The Classic has become more than just a football game for me. It’s an opportunity to enjoy time with my college friends, reconnect with people, network and make memories that I’ll carry with me long after graduation.”
Both students arrived at their respective institutions with expectations about what college would be like.
Now, as their undergraduate years come to an end, they have an opportunity to reflect on more than football games and campus celebrations.
They can consider the friendships they’ve built, the lessons they’ve learned and the traditions they’ll take with them after they leave campus.
For Robinson, that reflection is also motivation. “It motivates me to appreciate every moment, represent our university to the fullest and prepare to transition into our alumni network while continuing to carry our legacy forward,” she said.
“Knowing that we’re approaching the next chapter of our lives makes this year even more special,” Williams said. “I want to enjoy every moment of this last rodeo with my fellow Jaguars before we graduate and go out into our respective fields to make an impact. I’m grateful for the experiences, relationships and traditions that have made my time at Southern unforgettable.”
When the game ends on Nov. 28, one side will celebrate a victory and the other will be left waiting for another opportunity.
But for Robinson and Williams, the final score will be only one part of the story.
A Tiger and a Jaguar will have experienced the same rivalry from different sides, representing schools whose traditions have helped shape generations of students.
And long after the cheers fade and the Superdome empties, what remains won’t simply be a memory of who won or lost.
It will be the pride of knowing where they came from, the people who helped them get there and the experiences that made their time at an HBCU their own.
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