Much of the fun at the Alphas’ tailgate is the stepping, which people never seem to get too old to do, Southern Heritage Classic, Tiger Lane, Memphis TN, 9/8/12
Football
Tailgating at Tiger Lane During the Southern Heritage Classic, 2012
During the Southern Heritage Classic, Tiger Lane becomes like a small village, with people dancing, partying and barbecuing everywhere. The little kids particularly enjoy the large green at the center of the park, which gives them a place to pay their own football games before the big game kicks off in the Liberty Bowl. 9/8/12
The Alpha Phi Alpha/Alpha Kappa Alpha Southern Heritage Classic Tailgate 2012
The Alpha Phi Alphas and Alpha Kappa Alphas in Memphis sponsor a joint tailgate at the Southern Heritage Classic each year, Tiger Lane 9/8/12
Cowborettes Majorettes and Drummers in the Southern Heritage Classic Parade 2012, Memphis
The Cowborettes Majorettes and Drummers march in the Southern Heritage Classic Parade in Orange Mound, Memphis TN, 9/8/12
Jackson State Sonic Boom of the South, Southern Heritage Classic Parade 2012, Memphis
The Jackson State University Sonic Boom of the South marches down Park Avenue in Orange Mound during the Southern Heritage Classic Parade, Memphis TN, 9/8/12
Melrose’ Sound of the Mound Marching Band Performs Against Mitchell in Orange Mound, 2012
The Melrose High School Sound of the Mound band performs at the Golden Wildcats’ game against Mitchell in Orange Mound, Memphis, 9/7/12
MIAA Football: Westwood at BTW, Memphis
Memphis’ Booker T. Washington Stadium is arguably the second-oldest in the city after Crump Stadium, behind Central High School, although the latter has had a complete renovation in recent years. Much has changed in the surrounding neighborhood, including the demolition of Cleaborn Homes and Foote Homes, but crowds still turn out to support the Booker T. Washington Warriors, the oldest Black high school in Memphis. This year, BTW seems to have a decent marching band, with a first-rate drumline. Westwood, on the other hand, is a pathetic shadow of its former life, when, in the 80’s and early 90’s, it used to march over a hundred band members. Open enrollment, and outmigration from the neighborhood have devastated it. Still, the Longhorns have a small marching band that seems well-trained and which might become the foundation of a rebuilding. Only time will tell.
Whitehaven vs. Fairley at JP Freeman, 2012
At the Whitehaven vs. Fairley game at J. P. Freeman Stadium, Memphis, 8/25/12
Melrose Homecoming 2011 in Orange Mound, Memphis
Toward the end of the third quarter of the Melrose High School homecoming game, I realized that I needed to head on out of town if I wanted to get to Pine Bluff, Arkansas by 5 PM for the UAPB/Southern game, so I walked back to my car and rode out.
Melrose Homecoming vs. Whitehaven in Orange Mound, 2011
Melrose High School had their homecoming game against Whitehaven on Saturday in Orange Mound, and not only was the weather perfect for football, but the atmosphere was like a college game, with both sides of the stadium packed, and two of the best high school marching bands in the stands. Across the street at the Orange Mound Community Center, the Melrose Class of 1981 was having a tailgate/picnic with a DJ, and when the bands weren’t playing, the sounds of Frankie Beverly and Maze and Willie Hutch drifted across the street along with the smells of barbecue. A perfect football day, except that Melrose was down 49 to nothing at the half.