NORFOLK, Va. — Saturday night will be Norfolk State University's first-ever appearance in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge from Center Parc Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. They will take part in something that's bigger than the game of football.
Over the last few years, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) like the Spartans have been getting some much-needed attention. NSU will take part in the 19th edition of the event as they face Florida A&M, who's coming off a 12-1 season. It's a chance for those watching to get a chance to know about their school and football program.
"Some people may not know about Norfolk State when the game comes on," said offensive lineman Samuel Eskridge. "Just showing them what we're about and what we can do."
"What HBCUs stand for and how we carry ourselves and the men that come out of these institutions go on to prosper in life," said NSU head coach Dawson Odums. "They go on to have great NFL careers. It's just that we now have more TV opportunities."
Norfolk State has had several players in the National Football League including linebacker Lynden Trail, who among his stops was in Washington, as well as Norfolk native and cornerback Don Carey, who spent a portion of his career with the Lions. Today's Spartan players say their time at an HBCU touches them beyond football.
"We're just here to just say we can do it just as good as the next guy," said offensive lineman Vincent Byrd. "We're still here. It gives us a place we can come back to when we couldn't go anywhere else. As an HBCU culture. The culture. The love. It's nothing like an HBCU. It's just different".
Linebacker Daylan Long added, "The unity that we have. The family that we have. Just the vibes of family."
Coach Odums feels a school like Norfolk State University can resonate across the country and hopes his Spartans can show it against the Fightin' Rattlers.
"We've got platforms for people to see and recognize that you could be on the West Coast and find out who Norfolk State is now with our TV presence."
Game time is 7:30 p.m. on 13News Now after our pregame show "A Battle to Behold: NSU vs FAMU" at 7 p.m. After the game, 13News Now at 11, and then the post-game show.