As early as I can recollect, I wanted a career in sports media. Throughout grade school, middle school and high school, I was doing things to prepare for my journalism degree. When the time came to choose a school, I narrowed my choices down to three:
Howard University
Ohio State University
University of Missouri
Before high school, I knew only one white person well (a guy who my mom worked with; I think they were dating, but I digress.)
When my mom shipped me off to a high school in the ‘burbs, it was 98% white; talk about going from one extreme to the other! The experience opened my eyes to many things and helped me focus on my decision for college.
The first school I crossed off the list was Missouri. Although they had the best journalism program, I wanted to get out of state.
That left OSU and HU. I had no ties to Ohio State and the only reason I considered them was because I could qualify for in-state tuition (my dad lived nearby.) OSU offered a nice minority scholarship, but something about Howard kept drawing my attention.
Once I toured Howard’s campus and studied its history, I was intrigued by the benefits of attending an HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities.) They too, offered me a scholarship.
As a 17 year old, I made a very tough decision and as everyone knows, I attended The Ohio State University (where the legend of Robert Littal is still spoken on High Street.)
I’ve never regretted my decision, but I sometimes wonder what my experience would have been like at Howard.
When I received the invite to cover the Southern Heritage Classic in Memphis, I considered it a great opportunity to share with my readers, the differences between the two types of colleges.
On a personal note, when I started BlackSportsOnline.com, the intent was to present it as a universal sports site as opposed to a marginalized site that covered “black sports” and “black athletes.”
I didn’t want to be type cast, but in my quest to reach a broader audience, I feel I’ve overlooked some stories about black college athletics that should have been covered. I have decided its time to make up for lost time.
Walking into the Liberty Bowl where Tennessee State and Jackson State had just kicked off, it was apparent that I wasn’t in Columbus anymore.
But, two things are consistent in almost every major college football stadium in the country:
PUBLIC DRUNKENESS AND PARTYING
People drink, drink again, and then drink some more. Most fans wobble to their seats. I am not a big drinker, but I remember watching my classmates at OSU consume cases and kegs of beer, just hours before game time. During and after the game, the drunken behavior continued. It was a sight to behold.
In Memphis, the atmosphere was different; something like a Jay Z concert. There was singing, dancing, head bobbing and a rhythmic vibe. The tailgating even felt different. It was the same food, but with southern flavor.
Inside the stadium they had a “picture” man. You wanted to take your picture with a Michael Jackson background? No problem. There was also a vendor selling watches and jewelry. I felt more like I did when I lived in the city of Saint Louis, with more of a down home vibe.
Deep down though, I am a football fanatic and one thing is crystal clear, the competition levels are light years apart. While my alma mater was fighting tooth and nail against USC, Jackson State and Tennessee State were busy putting on an “un-classic” on the field.
Not that they weren’t trying hard, but when you’ve watched high level college football, the difference is striking; better speed and more powerful players. Lesser play is to be expected at any lower division school. Unfortunately, they just don’t have the capacity to recruit with the big boys.
The play on the field of the Southern Heritage Classic did not discourage the amped stadium from enjoying the highly anticipated halftime show. This is when everything went up a few more notches.
At Ohio State the band is touted as:
“The Best Damn Band in the Land”
They are very good, very talented and universally recognized, but on campus they were like Lambda Lambda Lambda from “Revenge of the Nerds”.
There “Swag” meter would be at zero.
Nothing could be farther from the truth for the Tennessee State and Jackson State bands. Both did Michael Jackson tributes and it was the highlight of the night (especially Jackson State their dancers had me wanting to re-enroll).
At that point it really did felt like a “concert” and the atmosphere was just as electric with everyone truly having a good time.
While Tennessee State was preserving a 14-7 victory with a goal line stand, my beloved Buckeyes were blowing their lead to USC.
As a laid down in my hotel room, I concluded that one college wasn’t better than the other. They were each dynamic in their own way and I would have been fine at either. I’ve learned that the diversity at your college isn’t as important as your diversity as a person.