Revelers make up for skipping last year
Areas emptied by 2020 cancellation are full once again, with Southern Heritage Classic camaraderie going strong
Two days before crowds descended on the Liberty Bowl in Memphis for the Southern Heritage Classic on Saturday to resume a Memphis tradition that a pandemic postponed, Lori Evans was breaking bread with a legend who would soon be a part of it.
Evans, president of the Memphis Chapter of the Jackson State University Alumni Association, hosted a dinner at her home with its head football coach and NFL Hall of Fame cornerback Deion Sanders.
“It was a very surreal moment,” said Evans, a former Miss Jackson State, who served up a classic soul food meal of fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes, candied yams and cornbread.
“I think both Deion Sanders and Eddie George (Tennessee State University football coach and NFL Pro-bowler) being head coaches at two top HBCUS in the country, it brings a different level of notoriety to both schools because we have two NFL greats who are coaching at these schools.”
Almost as surreal as Evans’ dinner with an NFL great in her home – gatherings that were, for the most part, also canceled by COVID-19 last year – were the scenes of tailgaters and others who filled the areas around the Liberty Bowl.
Areas that the pandemic left eerily empty last year. But not Saturday.
On Saturday, people like Taylor Woods, a Tennessee State alumnus, returned to the place where they came for years – to enjoy the barbecue, the burgers and other foods that steamed and saturated the air with luscious smells, to listen to the sounds of BB King, Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder, and to reunite with the friends they missed last year.
“Being out here again is bringing back a lot of memories,” said Woods. “It’s very much family-oriented, and an all-around representation of HBCUS. And when I say family-oriented, I mean family-oriented ... even JSU. I’ve been going to this since I was a baby, and I’m 29.
“When it was canceled last year because of COVID I was very much hurt, because we were missing out on that part of life that was very much needed. We felt very sad, but we’re here now.”
Also, there was Tia Quarles, another Tennessee State alumna, and her family.
As she was setting up a table full of libations ranging from white Zinfandel and Moscato to Jack Daniels and ginger ale, her mother Charlotte and her sister Antoinette Quarles-smith were arranging dishes ranging from ribs, chicken and fish alongside Rotel dip, German chocolate cake and pound cake.
“I was happy that they brought it (the Classic) back this year,” Tia Quarles said. “I’m really excited to celebrate with my family and other TSU alums.”
“We’re just looking forward to being with family we missed last year,” Charlotte Quarles said. “We’ve been going since its inception. It’s a family affair...”
“I love it!” chimed in Melvin Quarles, Charlotte’s husband.
Jackie Bracey, owner of Couture Events in Memphis and a Jackson State alumna, said she was looking forward to seeing the contest not just between the two teams, but between Sanders and George.
“I call it the little celebrity factor now,” Bracey said. “Of course Jackson State is definitely going to be the winner, but we just love to come out here for the camaraderie, and having the two coaches and the energy they’re bringing, everybody is kind of happy...
“We’re masked up, but we’re doing it.”
The game between Jackson State University and Tennessee State University started in 1990 and generates more than $21 million in new revenue to Memphis each year. It attracts nearly 50,000 people, on average.
In 2018, lightning forced the game to be canceled, and in 2020, COVID-19 shut it down. But masks and vaccines made it possible for it to resume — and the fact that COVID-19 was still stalking everyone wasn’t lost on the revelers.
Many wore masks, as Classic founder Fred Jones Jr. had encouraged fans to do, as well as to become vaccinated.
For those who didn’t want to take a chance on being around crowds, the Classic offered a virtual option; it streamed the game and festivities.
One event that went totally virtual was the Southern Heritage Classic Parade in Orange Mound. Its longtime organizer, Claudette Boyd, didn’t want to take a chance on people clamoring to watch the parade from the sidelines and possibly spreading the virus.
“We don’t want a super-spreader, and we don’t want to be involved in hurting anybody at all,” Boyd said.
“So, we did a virtual parade. They can download the groups’ performances so they can see it … a dance group can do a video performance and send it in. They can be as creative as they want to be.
“It’s safe. It’s not intrusive and you can enjoy it in the comfort of your home.”
And, there was more surrealism. On Saturday, when the Classic was celebrating its 32nd year of being a Midsouth tradition, many Americans were acknowledging the 20th anniversary of an American tragedy: The Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks.
In 2001, after terrorists crashed planes into the World Trade Center towers and the Pentagon and caused another flight to crash in a field in western Pennsylvania, he moved the game from Sept. 15 to Nov. 22.
“We survived,” Jones said. “The irony of it is that 20 years later, we have survived. We had a chance to come back after COVID’S cancellation, and I think that’s behind what’s driving everyone right now.”
Jones had a point.
On this day, a day that marked a milestone for joy and pain, people were focused on joy.
And one of those people was Columbus Page, who traveled from San Diego for the Classic.
“I came to enjoy the festivities,” said Page, as he and his friends loaded bottled water into their vehicle outside of the Classic office in Whitehaven the day before the game.
“My daughter is a senior at Jackson State, but that’s not the reason I’m here. I’ve been coming before she became a student at Jackson State. … I just really enjoy the Classic and the people here.
“The game, the camaraderie and the people make it well worth it.”