Lion sports fans gathered in downtown Hammond during this week’s Hot August Night last Friday for the Lionpawlooza pep rally to celebrate the onset of a new athletic season.
The pep rally began at 6:30 p.m. with a performance by the Spirit of Southland Marching Band, the Lionettes, Color Guard, Cheerleaders and opening speeches by KSLU Radio host Chad Pierce and Hammond Mayor Mayson Foster. Pierce riled up the crowd and introduced the three Lion’s sports teams that were present: soccer, volleyball and football. Though the crowd was excited about the Lady Lions soccer team’s 6-0 victory against Alcorn State hours before, the focus of the event remained Lion’s football. After an introduction by Pierce, head football coach Mike Lucas took the stage with the seniors.
“I challenge you all to attend every Lion’s football home game,” Lucas said. “We need your support, this season we have a tough schedule. When we go up against Tulane on September 3 in the Superdome, we need all the green and all the gold university.”
Students made up a sizeable portion of the crowd, one of which was junior graphic design major Monica Velasquez.
“I loved the rally and the band sounds great,” said Velasquez. “I really love Hot August Night too. I love how local artists show their work and everybody coming together. The only thing I don’t like about it is that it’s way too