GSU to pay Jackson State for lost revenue

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (Special to the NNPA from The Dallas Examiner) – The Southwestern Athletic Conference announced Nov. 13 that it plans to assist Jackson State University with an undisclosed amount as a result of its lost home contest with Grambling State last month.

The decision to undertake this initiative was fueled by Grambling’s forfeit of the game scheduled for Oct. 19. National reports indicate that the school was prepared to depart from Grambling’s campus on Friday. However, players refused to board, citing a list of complaints that had gone ignored for far too long.

The funds for Jackson State will come from GSU’s future distribution amounts as outlined in the conference bylaws.

“As the immediate governing body of the ten SWAC member institutions, and with approval from SWAC’s Executive Council, the missed game between Jackson State and Grambling State will be deemed a forfeit and GSU will be fined,” said SWAC Commissioner Duer Sharp. “As far as the fine for Grambling State and subsequent payment to Jackson State, we believe that it is the right thing to do from a conference standpoint.”

In addition to the fine, which was issued in accordance with conference bylaws regarding forfeit procedures, Grambling State will be required to play at JSU each of the next three football seasons to compensate Jackson State for lost revenues this year.

“Our goal at this point is to address those concerns head-on, finish up our regular season and move on towards our football championship in Houston on Dec. 7,” Sharp said.

As a result of the forfeit, Jackson State accepted the win and Grambling was charged a loss in the conference standings. According to the current record book, it is the first time a member school within the conference has forfeited a game during the regular season.

This article originally published in the December 9, 2013 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper.