Fans get up close and personal with the Jags
By Niqueta Williams 

As the sun blazed high above, an estimated 300 fans covered the courtyard of Southern University's Smith-Brown Memorial Union for Fan-Day 2002, held Saturday, August 24.

Students, faculty members and the friends and families of Southern University's Jaguar football came out to meet, greet and simply get to know their favorite players.

"I am glad I came," said senior Kim Mitchell of Monroe, Louisiana. "It's hot but I am getting a chance to get to know the players a little better."

Fans, both young and old, flocked around veterans such as wide receiver Michael Hayes and quarterback Quincy Richard, both of Opelousas, La.

Members of the Jaguars football team and coaching staff patiently signed autograph after autograph for their eager young fans while wiping sweat from the faces.

“Yes, it is hot out here but some people came a long way just to see us up close,” said Hayes.

One fan was heard saying, “it’s good to put a faces with the names … I have a been a fan for over twenty years but I would not know most players if they were walking right beside me.”

“It’s flattering to see so many little kids recognize your and want to take a picture with you,” said quarterback Thomas Ricks. “Meeting your fans makes the season more real, it lets you know that you are not just playing for yourself or Southern.”

What delighted the players most was the number of young ladies who came out to get up close and personal.

“I guess the guys don’t want to seem like groupies, because the girls sure outnumbered the boys,” said senior wide receiver Al’Trevion Joubert as he signed a poster for six-year Kayla Jones of Baton Rouge.

Teammate Lionel Joseph agreed, adding that he would rather take pictures with pretty young ladies anyway.

The 2002 season is set to get underway Saturday, August 31 against the Green Wave of Tulane University in the Louisiana Superdome.  Kick-off is at 2:30 p.m.