Against the Grain II

Sanders good for HBCUs, not necessarily FAMU

Deion Sanders has done an absolutely marvelous job of elevating the profile of Jackson State University. Not just the football program, but the entire school. Before he arrived, the Tigers were swimming in the lower third of the Southwestern Athletic Conference and were an after-thought for most opponents. The Tigers weren’t always there, though. 

JSU has a very rich tradition of athletics excellence, including some amazing teams under John Merritt and WC Gordon.  The slide in performance before Sanders’ arrival was uncharacteristic of the history of JSU.

With the pizzazz that Sanders brought to the position, it immediately put a spotlight on what he was doing. JSU started appearing in spaces they never had before. Not only did JSU become relevant in the sports world, but it garnered national attention in forums where HBCU football has traditionally been ignored.

This new found beacon for HBCUs elevated with it many schools that were in the shadows.  With struggling football teams since the departure of Jerry Rice, schools like Mississippi Valley State was benefitted as when they played Jackson State, they would be in the spotlight.  

Many persons in the general population that were not aware specifically of what HBCUs were, found themselves being educated about them as Sanders took every opportunity to elaborate in his forums about HBCUs and their importance

As a former college football All-American and Pro Football All-Pro defensive back, Sanders was a star athlete and now resides both in the Florida State Hall of Fame and the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Sanders also made it to the World Series as a baseball player. Not to mention that he was All-Metro Conference in track as the 100- and- 200-meter champion and a member of the champion FSU 4×100-meter relay team. 

Sanders’ creation of his alter ego “Prime Time” elevated his star power and marketability.  The fledgling sports network ESPN jumped on board every opportunity to repeat his highlights when he would high-step into the end zone on an interception return or stolen a base for the Atlanta Braves.  

Sanders brought all of that notoriety to Jackson, Miss. Not the most luxurious of towns in America. He found that out quickly after arriving. However, Sanders is not just a coach. He has understood his star power and responsibility to help others and challenged not only the administration at JSU to make things better on campus, he challenged the mayor and governor to make things better in Jackson. These statements also drew headlines.

With the spring football season in the SWAC in 2021, Sanders began to cut his teeth on what it was like to embark on a journey as an HBCU coach.  No longer at FSU where the finest luxuries were available, JSU had long bus rides, subpar facilities and other resources that were less than ideal.  Sanders publicly talked about the challenges of HBCUs and the plight of the schools that produced some of the finest African American citizens this nation has ever seen.  Many schools that the general public had no idea about were suddenly thrust into the public spotlight.

Fortunately, on the highest of seven hills in Tallahassee, FAMU was doing just fine.  After a decade of being down in football, the program had been revived by what some consider the best coach in HBCU football.  Willie Simmons turned the program from losing to winning.  The past two regular seasons, the Rattlers finished 9-2, including a one-point loss to JSU after a two year layoff from football due to the pandemic.

Meanwhile, the university never stopped flourishing and gaining national attention in all the right ways.  FAMU is ranked the No.1 public HBCU by U.S. News and World Report.  It is often cited by publications like Forbes Magazine and college trades for its excellence in academics. With a new 700-bed dormitory which has been paid off, a new student amphitheater, a renovated Bragg Memorial Stadium and one of the best student success centers in all the nation, FAMU is thriving.

Continuing their success, the FAMU Marching “100” is in process to embark on a trip to Paris at the request and expense of designer Louis Vuitton. Unlike many HBCUs who will hopefully slingshot off of the notoriety their schools get under the publicity gained under Sanders’ light, FAMU has and always will be a school of its own standing.  Sanders knows this, as he spent most of his social hours on the same set FAMU students enjoy today.