Tuskegee celebrates their National Championship in Grand Style
TUSKEGEE, Ala. (Jan. 18, 2008) - On Thursday, Tuskegee University staff, students and supporters celebrated the Golden Tigers football team’s many accomplishments and accolades garnered during the 2007 season.
The campus was draped in the school’s traditional colors of crimson and old gold, letting all who passed through the Lincoln Gates’ entrance know that a celebration was definitely in progress. Just after noon, a color guard and the critically acclaimed Marching Crimson Pipers band led a parade-like processional down University Avenue to the Daniel “Chappie” James Arena. Inside, fanfare was in full effect as school and state officials, alumni, and sports supporters packed the building to celebrate with a grand pep-rally.
“As I look at this team, I say, to me, that you are the best football team to come through this university,” said James Carter, representative of the Tuskegee University National Athletics Association.
The Golden Tigers, led by head coach Willie Slater, had a perfect 12-0 season - including conference play - winning the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference crown. The team also snatched its 600th win, an unprecedented feat accomplished by no other historically black college or university.
“Some would say we’re lucky,” said an exuberant Tuskegee President Benjamin F. Payton at the celebration. “We’re not lucky - we’re just No. 1.”
The Golden Tigers’ undefeated status led to them being named overall National Black College champions, awarded by the Sheridan Broadcast Network. Two members of the team were recently named to the 2007 SBN Sports Black College All-American Team: Jacary Atkinson, a quarterback who was also the SIAC championship MVP and SIAC Offensive Player of the Year; and Larry Peoples, an offensive lineman.
The celebration garnered regional, state and national attention in the media, including Montgomery, Ala. TV stations WSFA (NBC) and WNFC (ABC, CW). On the morning leading to the event, Slater was interviewed on the live morning talk show “Good Morning Montgomery” on WNCF. Hours later, for WSFA, Slater was joined by Atkinson and Payton on campus for a live segment broadcast via satellite to the high-ratings morning show “Alabama Live!” (www.wsfa.com)
Slater, who is beginning his third season with the Golden Tigers, was recently named the SBN Sports Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year. Last season, Slater led the team to their second SBN honor this decade and second consecutive SIAC championship. He was also named as Coach of the Year in the SIAC.
“I have to give thanks to God for wisdom,” Slater said when referring to the season’s accomplishments. “I also thank my coaching staff, Dr. Payton and this administration for their support. They put so much into these students; they (football team members) are only a direct reflection of what this staff does for them.”
Slater also expressed gratitude to the fans, cheerleaders, band and other support members who have traveled with the team through seasons.
Also on the platform were Lillie Lanier, president of the Tuskegee University National Alumni Association, and State Rep. Pebblin Warren (Dist. 82). Warren presented the team with an accommodation from Alabama Gov. Bob Riley.
Warren, a Tuskegee alumna, also announced plans to honor and recognize the team in the Alabama House of Representatives.
Tuskegee University Student Government Association President Frances Jordan expressed the students’ pride in the Golden Tigers.
“The student body is so proud of you,” Jordan said to the team seated in the arena. “You all being the best is our motivation. There is nothing like a perfect season - it doesn’t get much better than this.”
The Golden Tigers will be officially recognized for their SBN honors Feb. 15-16 in Atlanta. Slater and Atkinson were most recently honored by the Pigskin Club of Washington, D.C., for their respective SIAC awards.
Photos courtesy of Montgomery Advertiser.