The Hammond Chamber of Commerce is encouraging local businesses to wear Green and Gold on Fridays in support of Southeastern. The initiative is an attempt to get the business community involved in promoting Lion Pride.

“We thought it would be great to ‘Lionize’ our community and show pride in our local university,” said Executive Director of the Hammond Chamber of Commerce Charlotte Banks.

According to Banks, the initiative was conceived in January by Chairman of the Board Chris Moody, who mentioned in a speech the need to show support and appreciation for Southeastern.

The Chamber has reached out to the Hammond business community by negotiating advertising packages with three of their media members for members of the Chamber.  Additionally, the Chamber has started the Southeastern Spirit Award, which is awarded to businesses who show support to the university by decorating their business with Southeastern colors, carrying Southeastern merchandise and promoting the university to clients and customers.

“The initiative has taken off with a bang and is spreading like wildfire,” said Banks. “The business community is stepping up and showing their support.”

Banks stated that there are a number of businesses who are showing their support for Southeastern in some form. Some examples of businesses who are participating in Green and Gold on Fridays include Albertson’s, University Donuts and La Caretta.

“Whether it’s selling Southeastern merchandise, baking green and gold pastries, attending athletic events, supporting a Fanfare event or buying a brick in Friendship Circle, the business community is stepping up,” said Banks.

According to Banks, the initiative is also a way for businesses to show support for Southeastern football. The beginning of the initiative coincides with the start of the 2011 football season. When asked about how this initiative could affect the football season, students felt that it could have a positive impact.

“They see everybody wearing green and gold, and it gets them ready to play,” said freshman engineering technology major Cody Rabalais. “It lets them know [the community] is supporting them.”

In addition to supporting the university, the initiative provides an opportunity for the football community to grow.

“LSU has a strong support from their community,” said Ciera Thrash, a sophomore majoring in chemistry. “Why can’t Southeastern’s football team have that?”

Banks anticipates that this initiative will keep growing and expanding and expects to see it going strong next year.

“There will be a continuous push for the business community to support and promote our local community and show their Lion Pride,” said Banks. “After all, this is ‘Our Town, Our Team.'”