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TSU’s Annual Senior Kick-Off Luncheon honored the nine seniors from the 2016 Tennessee State football team on Friday, August 26 at the Millennium Maxwell Hotel. Former Tiger Sonny Lyons (1971-74) served as the Master of Ceremony for the event. Big Blue supporters, fans, coaches, cheerleaders and members of the Aristocrat of Bands participated in welcoming the nine seasoned veteran players.
TSU President Dr. Glenda Glover recognized the student-athletes’ hard work in the classroom and the gridiron. Her rousing inspirational talk was followed by motivational words from TSU Director of Athletics Teresa Phillips.
TSU Head Coach Rod Reed acknowledged several important people to the program, including elected officials, corporate and individual sponsors, his coaching staff and members of the 1956 Championship team who were in attendance. Two members of this year’s squad took to the podium. Wide receiver Chris Sanders-McCollum opened with comments about the offense and received favorable applause when stating the squad will put more points on the scoreboard this season.
Cornerback Ezra Robinson closed out the list of speakers with a spirited dialog about the defense. He excited the crowd as he proclaimed success for his unit, concluding with “anything less will be unacceptable.”
The Tigers welcomed the public to their Indoor Athletic Facility for Fan Day Saturday, August 27 for Fan Day. After receiving signatures from the Big Blue, the kids took advantage of an inflatable playground and the open turf to play some football.
The Big Blue will open the season in the John Merritt Classic versus Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Saturday, Sept. 3. Game time at Nissan Stadium is set for 6 p.m.
Monte Coleman is a seasoned coaching veteran who has been associated with the UAPB program since 2003. In his eight seasons as head coach of the Golden Lions, Coleman led the team to their first ever outright Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Championship in 2012, guiding them to a 24-21 overtime win over Jackson State, in Birmingham, Ala.
Coleman’s story is truly a remarkable one. Coleman played for the Redskins (and in the NFL) in parts of three decades: the 1970s, the 1980s, and the 1990s. He played in the Super Bowl 4 times, winning three: Super Bowl XVII, Super Bowl XVIII, Super Bowl XXII, and Super Bowl XXVI.
The TSU Football Coach Rod Reed Show returned for another season on Sunday, August 28. For the second straight year, the show will air each Sunday at 9 a.m. on WNSR 560 AM and 95.5 FM. Hosted by Greg Pogue, the one-hour show will feature analysis from head coach Rod Reed about past games, upcoming contests and all things TSU. There will also be interviews with assistant coaches and players throughout the episode.
Following the conclusion of the football season, the TSU Basketball Coaches Show with head coach Dana ford will begin on December 3, and will air every Sunday at 9 a.m. on WNSR 560 AM and 95.59 FM through March 3.
