Bring Home the Tiger

So I've discussed this enough publicly to the point where I feel obligated to write about it and offer a possible solution that might not even be the answer but that's why we have these conversations. I feel like the institution has ignored its true destiny long enough and needs to step into the conversation of ELITE but are they willing to trust the process? Are they willing to trust in the very students that they chose to be apart of their institution, the devoted and successful alumni and their historically rich community of a fan base? Is the Illustrious, Texas Sothern University willing to use this spring football season to play all home games on campus?

Now before I dive into this, you need some history. In the years 2008-2011 Texas Southern was rumored to have been working on building a new fieldhouse for their football, track & field and soccer teams so the university decided to play their games at Houston Independent School District's Delmar Stadium. The excitement was crazy! I was in high school and even heard about the news so you know this was official. Fast forward to closing of the 2011 season, the institution agrees to become co-tenants of the BBVA stadium with the Houston Dynamo (don't forget about the Houston Dash, the pro Women's soccer team). The hearts of students and alumni who anticipated the updated facility were broken. the University plaid a one time fee of $1.5 million to lease the 22,000 orange seated stadium for 30 YEARS!!

This deal was horrendous in my eyes (but I'm just a squirrel trying to get a nut). Not only were students let down as they waited for years to pack out Alexander Durley Stadium but on the business side of this deal, I can't see how TSU officials signed off on this other than. According to Ronnie Turner of the Houston Chronicle, "TSU will receive a percentage of revenue from all sales except those involving parking and suites." And from my experience in Ticket Sales, parking (especially parking) and suites are almost guaranteed as school officials, potential investors and other institution officials. I've asked some credible alumni who had access to the bleachers and the field about the last time they saw the BBVA stadium packed out? The silence hurt me to take in. I found that even in the first game in the new stadium and less than 15,000 would show back in 2012 even having a game with less than 1,000 against Mississippi Valley (then again, it's Valley).

Now lets look towards the more recent years. October 12th of 2019 the university announced it would play their homecoming game division 2 program Missouri S&T on campus for the first time in 11 years. The university rolled the dice and its students, alums and fans showed their appreciation. Though TSU lost this game on the field, homecoming game on campus was a win. For this event the university temporarily installed 10,000 seats for the game and 8,300 would show for the game. Yes, still short of the compacity by 1,700 but a much better show rate as their most attended game that season the Labor Day Classic against Prairie View A&M at BBVA with 16,407 people attending, leaving open 5,593 seats.

Texas Southern playing at home shouldn't be as far fetched of an idea. Texas Southern is full of talent students and offers so much when it comes to sports . Just take a look at the basketball program, where experts (and myself) have already predicted the men's team to win the conference title for 2021 and a women's team that boasts 3 of the top 10 in scoring in the conference for 2019. The track program plays host to one of the fastest relays in all of the United States with TSU Relays (which is where I earned my track scholarship and saw it packed out just like a football game).

So Why not give students, alums and fans the Ultimate TSU experience? Hell if you want to feel how much students and alumni love their university, check out alumni, Professional Photographer and entrepreneur Pharon Beaver's YouTube video "Dear Texas Southern." You can feel the love for their university and what it means to be a TSU Tiger. Ask Chuck Berry who was a Base for the cheer squad and now a proud advocate of the community with leading Be The Posi(+)ive Initiatives ! These HBCU alumni and fans have a special place inside for the university and if the video doesn't move you or make you appreciate your time spent at your university, then I'm going to assume you didn't want to take in the experience.

With the pandemic looming, I would challenge TSU officials to possibly look into playing their spring football at Alexander Durley Stadium for 2021 since games will be having limited attendance. Why not maximize the earnings from parking, concessions, ticket sales and most importantly school pride as majority of sports will be played in the same academic semester I mean lets be honest, with 22 years left on the contract with BBVA, what's 3 home games? The Tigers will host Southern, Grambling St. and Mississippi Valley weeks 4, 6 and 8 .

#Texassouthern #delmarstadium #bbva #JacksonState #prairieview #mississippivalley #PharonBeaver #DearTexasSouthern