BAYOU CLASSIC XXXVI prepares to kick off

BAYOU CLASSIC XXXVI prepares to kick off

Posted: Monday, November 23, 2009 12:08 pm

The turkey, ham, oyster dressing and potato salad have not even been prepared or served yet, but some minds are already focused on this weekend's annual matchup between Southern University and Grambling State University in the Louisiana Superdome.

The State Farm Bayou Classic is more than just a football game; with its colorful and glorified history, the State Farm Bayou Classic is a unique family fellowship that exists within a football game. The State Farm Bayou Classic has become the greatest and most distinguishable sporting event in all of Black America.

Everyone loves a grudge match. And that's what football fans can expect at the 36th Bayou Classic sponsored by State Farm Insurance Companies. Every year, the game is a sellout, attracting more than 70,000 fans. It'll be another terrific game this year as the Grambling State University Tigers and Southern University Jaguars football teams line up on the field to battle it out for bragging rights.

The gridiron match-up between Grambling State University and Southern University, two great Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) rivals, represents the best that collegiate sports have to offer: Teamwork, tradition, passion and fierce competition.

With ongoing talk about a nationwide recession and a local slump in tourism dollars, the State Farm Bayou Classic couldn't come at a better time for the Crescent City. This year's contest should provide local restaurants, hotels and other businesses in downtown New Orleans with some much-needed revenue heading into the Christmas holidays.

According to the New Orleans Metropolitan Visitor and Convention Bureau, the Bayou Classic drew an estimated 200,000 visitors in 2009 and had a $200 million economic impact over the Thanksgiving weekend.

Weekend activities kick off with the Coaches Luncheon on Fri., Nov. 27 at 11 a.m., and the Super Job Fair at noon. Guests should also see the Nerjyzed Entertainment Battle of the Bands & Greek Show at 7:00 p.m. on Nov. 27.

The Bayou Classic Football Game is televised live on NBC Sports Nov. 28. Whatever your pleasure, you'll never forget a weekend at the State Farm Bayou Classic. And if you can't make it to the game in person, kickoff time is at 1:00 p.m. CST on NBC TV.

The Grambling State University Tigers won last year's game 29-14.

Southern University's Master's of Business Administration program will host the 2nd Annual "Black and White Affair" at 7:00 p.m., Friday, Nov. 27, in the Harrah's Casino-Masquerade Ultra Lounge in New Orleans.

The affair will feature a live performance by Gina Brown and Anutha Level. Participants will also receive a ticket to see Con Funk Shun in the casino's theater at 9 p.m. Complimentary culinary delights and a cash bar will also be provided.

The event is a fund-raising initiative sponsored by the MBA program's National Board of Advisors. All funds will be used to support the program. Tickets are $50 and are tax deductible.

For more information or to purchase tickets, call (225) 771-5640.

Bayou Classic organizers, fans and alumni from Southern and Grambling will celebrate the 20th Annual Super Job Fair during the 36th State Farm Bayou Classic. Over the years, more than 20,000 students and other potential employees have met with more than 1,000 different public and private businesses and agencies, for the purposes of networking and career enhancement.

The Super Job Fair provides companies an opportunity to interview and select outstanding students for employment with their respective organizations. Students from Southern, Grambling, and other universities are able to network and seek career opportunities with large corporations and agencies.

The Super Job Fair promotes the fact that the State Farm Bayou Classic is far more than just a football game. It also serves as an avenue by which the educational development and pursuits of students attending two of the nation's premier historically Black universities can be enhanced. The Super Job Fair is an outlet where students seriously pursue their plans to compete favorable for positions in their respective professions.

Representatives from some of the most prestigious companies and agencies in the country offer permanent employment, summer jobs, internships, cooperative education, and graduate and professional school opportunities to selected candidates.

Companies interview, receive resumes, and disseminate literature allowing students to explore the numerous opportunities with your organization.

Companies participating in the Super Job Fair are provided a booth, chairs, an interview area, assistance with set-up, lunch, and two tickets to the State Farm Bayou Classic football game.

The complete State Farm Bayou Classic schedule follows:

Friday, November 27, 2009:

• Bayou Classic Coaches Lunch-eon 12:00p.m.- 1:00p.m. Location: TBD

• Bayou Classic Super Job Fair

12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Location: Sheraton New Orleans,

500 Canal St.

• State Farm Bayou Classic College Fair 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Location: Sheraton New Orleans, 500 Canal St.

• KaBOOM! Playground Build

8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Location: Mary D. Coghill Elementary School - 500 Piety Drive

New Orleans, LA 70126

• Corporate Reception Presented by Adams & Reese 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Invitation Only

• Nerjyzed Entertainment Battle of the Bands & Greek Show 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. Location: Louisiana Superdome

Saturday, November 28, 2009:

• Bayou Classic Fan Festival 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Location: Louisiana Superdome Plaza Level

• XXXVI State Farm Bayou Classic 1:00 p.m. - 6 p.m. Location: Louisiana Superdome.

This article was originally published in the November 23, 2009 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper