Magnolia Heritage Classic Events Announced
Written by HBCU Digest, Posted in Alcorn State University, Jackson State University, Mississippi, Sports
Events and celebrities have been announced for the Magnolia Heritage Classic weekend.
The Classic weekend will kick off Friday, November 16, at 10 a.m. on campus with a spirited pep rally and Public Safety Press Conference featuring players, coaches, the marching band, university officials, student leaders and state public safety officials gathering to preview the game and raise awareness of public safety for the big weekend.
On Saturday, November 17, the day will begin at 10 a.m. with the Coors Light Tailgate Tent Party on the east end zone practice field, and FANFUN Village and Live Soundstage hosted by Keisha Knight Pulliam and Lance Gross in the Kenneth L. Simmons Industrial Technology Building parking lot. The free live concert style venue will feature Verse Simmonds and showcase local and regional music artists and public awareness presentations between performances while the kids play in the inflatable space jumps.
The ASU Braves will take on the JSU Tigers at 2:00 p.m. in the Jack Spinks – Marino Casem Stadium. The All State Insurance Halftime Show will feature the All State Field Goal Kick to the 2013 Sugar Bowl in New Orleans, Louisiana, WJTV-12 Soul Bowl Alumni Giving Challenge and ASU Sounds of Dyn-O-Mite Marching Band and JSU Sonic Boom.
Immediately following the game, there will be a 5th Quarter Battle of the Bands. The big band battle of the night will feature the JSU Sonic Boom and ASU Sounds of Dyn-O-Mite from the stands of the Jack Spinks – Marino Case Stadium. A post game concert in the Stadium will begin around 7:00 p.m. and will feature Ginuwine, Marsha Ambrosius, LAKESIDE and a surprise special guest performer. After the concert, around 9:00 p.m., the skies over Alcorn will light up to celebrate the historic achievement – the 2012 HBCU of the Year.
The Alcorn/Jackson State had been played exclusively in Jackson for the last umpteen years. It deteriorated every single year to the point where it became just another home game for JSU, meanwhile the City of Jackson reaped ALL of the fiscal benefits. This time, there is a sponsor (Coors Light), star power, and a real HBCU on-campus tailgaiting atmosphere. Furthermore, not only Alcorn but Vicksburg, Natchez, and other surrounding towns in SW Mississippi will benefit economically. What is better is that this event will alternate, giving both ASU/SW Mississippi & JSU/City of Jackson the opportunity to prosper. Many of us have nostalgic memories of the Capitol City Classic–but it’s gone. The SoulBowl is back… and better than ever. #BraveNation
Always Alcorn
Would Alcorn University have made a better financial gain if the game would been held in Jackson Miss.?
Alcorn will take a W this year because the buzz surrounding SoulBowl is creating an excitement about this game that hasn’t been felt in years. I don’t think we will know for sure the impact of this change until we can compare it to financial records after the game returns to Jackson next year.
I agree with Bro. Youngblood. Anytime money, media coverage and goodwill can be directed on to a specific campus, its a win for all involved.