When I started writing this column (now blog) for the 5th Quarter website community back in the day, I did so with the understanding that there would be days where the mere existence of our craft would be marginalized and questioned. Even voices from within the HBCU community could become tools to that end. Now, what we do is eternally tied to the proud and historic legacy that HBCU football represents.
Both are part of a very unique game day experience; A representation of athletic prowess and culture that pretty much sprang to life out of the despair of exclusion. The symbiotic relationship between the two is a hallmark of the type of fellowship you can find on ANY HBCU campus. When Saturday comes, we’re ready to put on a show. some of us put on football pads and a helmet, others lace up boots and spats, and carry an instrument. BOTH have a duty to put their best foot forward in the advancement of the HBCU ideal. For the most part, we’ve done this with a LOT of success.
That brings me to what’s going on with the Southern University Human Jukebox, or more importantly, the REACTION to the recent positive exposure they’ve been getting. The Jukes recently were included contractually to appear with Southern University’s football squad during a game at SEC Power Georgia. It’s no surprise that the cash money that these games provide are often what sustains athletic programs (particularly OUR programs) at the FCS level. Unfortunately, those games almost always expose the CURRENT disparities in everything, from quality of athlete, to coaching, to funding.
The good folks over at HBCU Gameday (an awesome blog that needs to be a bookmark for ANYBODY that’s an avid follower of HBCU Sports) offered their take on the whole thing, which kinda moved me to offer a bit of a rebuttal.
I’m a former HBCU bandsmen. I’m also an avid supporter of HBCU football. The reality is ANY coverage that shows the University in a positive light is worthwhile, particularly when one part of that equation may not be holding up it’s end of the bargain on the field. Our band programs have THEIR OWN challenges to overcome to survive without being blamed for a football team NOT living up to standards on the field, against comparable competition. We HAVE to market ourselves a certain way because often we DON’T have an athletic department that has our back, or the benefit of paid appearances to fund OUR programs.
Let’s leave the money games alone for a second…What about our actual track record (collectively) against comparable opponents on the FCS level? Participation in the FCS playoffs?
Nobody seems to have a problem with band programs getting their shine on when there’s a Heritage Bowl or a Classic, but there’s a problem with the added exposure brought by a game at an SEC field where the school REQUESTS a piece of the HBCU Gameday experience for THEIR fans? smh.
Maybe it’s me, but I’d think that the wise Athletic Director would see this sort of a thing as the ultimate marketing and recruiting tool. We have the fanbases and the sports culture; Let’s get a viable, successful on-field product to GO with that culture. I mean, it’s not the bands’ fault that the SWAC hasn’t seen anything outside of a spread offense in over 3 decades, or that the conference higher ups think that exclusion from the FCS playoffs will magically keep our programs viable. It’s not the band’s fault that many HBCU programs recycle the same coaches over, and over, and over again, as opposed to thinking outside of the box.
I’m sure the folks over at Prarie View weren’t complaining when the band program had to essentially SUSTAIN that fanbase through one of the worst losing streaks in NCAA football history.
Do we have our warts and crosses to bear? Absolutely. That being said, there’s a lot to be said for actually USING the assets you have at your disposal to advance a brand. The HBCU Experience IS that brand. Both HBCU football, and the gameday culture that surrounds it, are tools to bring that brand to a new generations of fans and potential students.
We’d be better served to HELP each other…We perform to bring exposure to both the football experience and the school. You build a quality football experience (cash games against Division 1 Juggernauts not withstanding), and you’ll get all the respect and exposure you you’ll need.