Vanguard

Issue date: 11/12/07 Section: News

Students supporting NCAA Football at the University of South Alabama joined together Nov. 10 at the Mitchell Center in an event USA called "History at Halftime." The students presented their petition containing more than 2,000 signatures in support of NCAA Football to USA President V. Gordon Moulton during halftime at the men's basketball game against University of West Florida.
Students held a tailgate party in the Gamma/engineering parking lot that began at 2 p.m. The tailgating lasted four to five hours before the game started at 7 p.m. "The tailgating party was a good idea and should become a tradition on weekend basketball games," said Andrew Brandt, SGA senator. "I would like to see tailgating in front of the Mitchell Center." Most fraternities and sororities came out to show support for the Jags and the NCAA petition, along with other students showing their school spirit. A good majority of the students partaking in the pre-game activities wore red shirts, South Alabama's color. Many of the OUTLAW members, a campus-oriented organization that is well known for showing support for Jaguar sporting events, wore shirts that said "Bleed it RED" on the backs.
"Tailgating was very successful and is something we want to try and make it a tradition in the future. We also were very pleased with the amount of people that came out for the event; everyone seemed to be having a lot of fun," said Martin Statkewicz, SGA vice president.
Around 5:30 p.m., Student Government Association senators and officers as well as other student and faculty helpers began to give out free student tickets and free "South Alabama Football" T-shirts. Less than 2,000 T-shirts were given out, as well as tickets to South Alabama students. Along with the free tickets, the students entered a drawing to win one of two flat-screen televisions, one of 12 iPod Nanos, one out of four opportunities for a trip on a private jet to see the Jags play in New Orleans, and many other prizes such as USA Bookstore gift cards. The free tickets, T-shirts and prize drawings were all a part of what President Moulton declared "Student Appreciation Day."
About 45 minutes before tip-off of the men's basketball game, the students began filling up the Mitchell Center. By the time the Jags took the court, there was a crowd of 4,976, the majority of them being students, ready to get the basketball season started. After the first half was completed, all students in attendance were called to center court to help present the petition to President Moulton.
"Within a week we had 2,000 students sign a petition in support of NCAA Football," SGA President Jennifer Edwards said.
As the court filled, the crowd began to chant "We Want Football!"
President Moulton was proud of the teamwork all the students have shown. "It was a phenomenal team effort, and it's amazing what you can do when you work together," Moulton said. He was also amazed at the effect the student support had on the city of Mobile led by Edwards, Jason Shepard, editor-in-chief of the Vanguard, Mikey Hendrich, president of the Students Who Stand, and Jon Garcia, vice president of Students Who Stand. "Your enthusiasm spilled over into the community," Moulton said.
Edwards presented Moulton a football signed by SGA officers and leaders in the support of NCAA Football. "I will go every step of the way with you," Moulton said toward the students. He then joined in with the students chanting "U-S-A" and ended the presentation with two words: "GO JAGS."
The next step is to officially present the proposal for NCAA Football to the USA board of trustees at the next meeting in December 2007. The board of trustees are expected to vote on the issue at the December meeting.

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