ASU Homecoming

Last weekend Lisa and I went to the Alcorn State University homecoming. It was my first time back on the Yard since graduation. We arrived on Friday and stayed in Vicksburg. I shot some video and stills while we were there. You'll need to install QuickTime to view them (free download). The movie might take a couple of minutes to load (especially if you're using dial-up), so please be patient. Also, there is audio, so please adjust your volume accordingly.

The ride down to Port Gibson and Alcorn was shorter than I remember. Port Gibson has a Sonic! No sign of the Due (sic) Drop Inn or any of the other juke joints along 61. The Stretch has magically been straightened. Was there always an exit to the Trace from the Stretch? Forgot to clock it to see if it was still 7 miles.

Game Day at the Yard is a whole new experience. I'm sure there was a lot going on because of homecoming, but I was amazed by the amount of tailgating and other activity near the stadium. The best part of the game was the band. I had forgotten how nobody leaves their seat for half time until after they have performed.

But the highlight of the day was spending time with Norm Whittington and his family at his mom's house. We ran into him as we were walking up to the campus from the stadium. Mrs. W put on quite a spread. Turkey, chicken, ham, greens, butter beans, green beans, chitlins (chitterlings just doesn't look right in print), pies, cakes, etc.

Albert (aka Silk) Irving was there; as well as his sister Brenza. Norm's wife Yolanda (aka Queen), and his sisters Deborah and Cheryl (along with her husband and stepdaughter), were also there. In addition, various other friends, aunts, uncles and cousins were floating around.

The campus looks a lot nicer. They have done extensive landscaping, added several new buildings and done a lot of renovation. The Tree, however, was a different story. Although the area was fairly tidy, it was busy. Several new elements have been added and it just seems like there's too much going on. I met the current Polemarch, but I didn't write down his name and my memory is pretty bad these days. Sorry Nupe.

We had a cocktail with Venita Bowie and her friend Regina Huston on Saturday night at the Ameristar Casino in Vicksburg. There were plenty of Mississippians (and probably quite a few Louisianans) in there parting with their hard-earned cash.

On Sunday morning, we ran into Doreen Whitney (daughter of former basketball coach Davey Whitney) and Jayne Washington in the hotel lobby before we left. They provided news about a lot of people I hadn't seen for a while.

After breakfast, we headed to Jackson to catch our flight back to Kansas City. Although I would have liked to have seen more old heads, it was a nice visit. We'll probably do it again some time soon.