Blu Bengal
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By Jacob Fuller Last updated on Wednesday, July 11, 2012 9:14 p.m. CDT
Ask Alcorn State President Christopher Brown why the Alcorn State University Braves will play arch-rival Jackson State University in Lorman this year for the first time since 1992, and he'll tell you: profit. He's not just talking about cash, though.
"There's quantity of profit, and there's quality of profit," Brown said at a community forum at Koinonia Coffee House July 6.
Brown and Alcorn State interim Athletics Director Dwayne White announced this week that the school will exercise its right to hold the football game against JSU in its home stadium this coming Nov. 17. Brown said his commitment is to Alcorn State and Lorman, where he lives and works.
But while money for the university and community was the biggest contributing factor to the decision, it wasn't the only one. Brown said it is not fair for him to rob Alcorn State's 4,000 students of the on-campus rivalry experience other students get to enjoy.
For the past 19 seasons, Alcorn State students have not known that experience. In that time, Alcorn has played the annual game against JSU, known since 1994 as the Capital City Classic, in Jackson every year. During that span, JSU holds a 13-6 advantage in the matchup, including a 51-7 trouncing of the Braves in 2011.
The Jackson Convention and Visitors Bureau offered to pay Alcorn State for transportation, lodging and meals for the football team, athletic staff, cheerleaders, band and student representatives. They also offered to pay for the university's pep rally, the coaches' media luncheon, Classic Golf Tournament, university president's reception and a step show. Altogether, JCVB committed approximately $160,000 to Alcorn to keep the game in the capital city.
Brown said the JCVB would have to offer much more than that to get Alcorn State to hold their games in Jackson. With Jackson making $2.5 million to $3 million from the match, he said both universities should get a larger portion of the profits.
"There is no way they would invite any SEC school or ACC school into this city and offer them what they offered these two SWAC schools," Brown said.
Wanda Wilson, president and CEO of the Jackson Convention and Visitors Bureau, said at Friday Forum that she thought the $160,000 proposal was only the starting point of a negotiation.
http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/news/2012/jul/11/500k-and-classic-might-stay-jackson/
Ask Alcorn State President Christopher Brown why the Alcorn State University Braves will play arch-rival Jackson State University in Lorman this year for the first time since 1992, and he'll tell you: profit. He's not just talking about cash, though.
"There's quantity of profit, and there's quality of profit," Brown said at a community forum at Koinonia Coffee House July 6.
Brown and Alcorn State interim Athletics Director Dwayne White announced this week that the school will exercise its right to hold the football game against JSU in its home stadium this coming Nov. 17. Brown said his commitment is to Alcorn State and Lorman, where he lives and works.
But while money for the university and community was the biggest contributing factor to the decision, it wasn't the only one. Brown said it is not fair for him to rob Alcorn State's 4,000 students of the on-campus rivalry experience other students get to enjoy.
For the past 19 seasons, Alcorn State students have not known that experience. In that time, Alcorn has played the annual game against JSU, known since 1994 as the Capital City Classic, in Jackson every year. During that span, JSU holds a 13-6 advantage in the matchup, including a 51-7 trouncing of the Braves in 2011.
The Jackson Convention and Visitors Bureau offered to pay Alcorn State for transportation, lodging and meals for the football team, athletic staff, cheerleaders, band and student representatives. They also offered to pay for the university's pep rally, the coaches' media luncheon, Classic Golf Tournament, university president's reception and a step show. Altogether, JCVB committed approximately $160,000 to Alcorn to keep the game in the capital city.
Brown said the JCVB would have to offer much more than that to get Alcorn State to hold their games in Jackson. With Jackson making $2.5 million to $3 million from the match, he said both universities should get a larger portion of the profits.
"There is no way they would invite any SEC school or ACC school into this city and offer them what they offered these two SWAC schools," Brown said.
Wanda Wilson, president and CEO of the Jackson Convention and Visitors Bureau, said at Friday Forum that she thought the $160,000 proposal was only the starting point of a negotiation.
http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/news/2012/jul/11/500k-and-classic-might-stay-jackson/