Homecoming for the Rams is scheduled for Oct. 31, but it should have been Sept. 5.
Winston-Salem State took to the field against cross-town foe NC A&T the Saturday before Labor Day in front of a capacity of 22,000.
The conflict for WSSU sharing the annual southern tradition with the rival Aggies became more evident throughout the contest.
Everything about this game said homecoming except for the date.
It’s no secret A&T’s homecoming generates a buzz, and since 2005 WSSU has averaged 15,640 people in attendance.
Not only was there more in attendance at the Sept. 5 game, but there was also more tailgating, and if it would have been the actual homecoming, there could have been more opportunity for revenue.
A&T’s homecoming game Oct. 31 begins at 2 p.m. and WSSU’s begins at 4 p.m. This will essentially cause a financial hindrance to the University, especially because the two schools are within a 30-mile radius of each other.
This game versus the Aggies was also an opportunity to see both the “Blue and Gold Marching Machine” and the “Red Sea of Sound” bands take the field in a very electrifying halftime show. Both paid unique tributes to Michael Jackson, although WSSU’s entire performance featured tunes from the late “King of Pop.”
Seeing both during a homecoming game would be another benefit to having the teams face off on homecoming.
And because that game was played during Labor Day weekend, it was a great way to end the summer.
Who knows?
Maybe this tradition will continue, and WSSU will play A&T every Labor Day especially since The Aggie-Eagle Classic is no longer in rotation.
But wouldn’t it be even better if they played each other for a homecoming match-up instead?
With their homecomings being scheduled on the same day this year, sharing this eventful day could possibly continue.
So to resolve overlapping them again, each team should schedule the other team for its homecoming and alternate as host each year. With the attendance, this would certainly increase revenue. It would also solve the concern in wondering who will be the opponent that day. Because this is the most anticipated game on both teams’ schedule, having them face off at homecoming will only bring more intensity to the battle.
Having one team become the opponent in the other team’s homecoming contest would alleviate the competition issue.
The proximity of these schools causes conflict for those who want to participate in both schools’ events.
If you did want to attend both this year, what can you do, flip a coin?