Jackson State announced Friday that Saturday's game against Grambling State has been canceled, shortly after Grambling State players refused to board team buses with less than 24 hours before the game was scheduled to kick off.
The players -- upset with travel policies, poor facility conditions and a tumultuous coaching situation -- made a decision not to play at a team meeting Friday afternoon, a player told ESPN's Brett McMurphy.
"We aren't playing," the player said.
Jackson State spokesman Wesley Peterson told The Associated Press on Friday that Grambling officials contacted JSU and informed the school of the decision.
Buses that lined up at Grambling to transport the team remained empty Friday.
School officials delayed departure of the team buses for an hour, until 4:30 p.m. ET, in hopes of changing players' minds, according to reports. That deadline passed and the buses left without players before 5 p.m., The News-Star reported.
Before Jackson State's announcement, Grambling spokesman Will Sutton said Friday there would be "no forfeit" in a text to The Associated Press. He said school officials were meeting to decide the next step. Apparently, nothing could be worked out so that the game could be played.
Southwestern Athletic Conference commissioner Duer Sharp called the situation "very disappointing."
Replies
Is this legal??? 0.o
Im sure JSU is preparing to sue the pants, or stripes off of GSU!!! -__-
Also in order for JSU to make GSU forfeit I think they have to show up to the game and then GSU have no choice....
Maybe this will bring some improvements to the program. Those guys are not walking out for no reason. Its more going on than what you know. I've been apart of a band protest in high school where the students walked out because of being fed up with a lack of support and neglect from the administration. Sometimes these things have to happened to get peoples attention. I know it sucks for JSU but its bigger than a homecoming game.
JSU all ready announced it was cancelled... The only thing that would work is if GSU was going to fly their players over to Jackson... which would be A LOT cheaper than settling in a lawsuit lol
altosax said:
It's reported that JSU will hold a White - Blue scrimmage tomorrow and the band will CRANK UP
yeah boy
well the only thing I think is cancelled is the game..all the other festivities are still on.... the only thing I see them having to do is giving refunds to all that bought tickets for that game.... If things is not right with they program why go along with, I applaud them for standing up for what they believe is a disgrace. I wish the university had just contacted JSU sooner than they had! they thought the team was bluffing I guess they showed them
WLBT reports that over 50,000 people are in the city for JSU homecoming, even some Grambling fans who traveled from Atlanta, D.C and even New York. There will be a Blue & White Game, bands and concert after the game.
Good comeback JSU but I admire GSU players for standing up for what they believe in. Grambling Prez will be fired.
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