Southern University officials gathered on Friday, October 10, to unveil Ballentine Plaza, a new recreational vehicle park for tailgating adjacent to A.W. Mumford Stadium, at a ribbon-cutting and naming ceremony.
The park is named in honor of Southern University alumnus and longtime football fan, Wardell Ballentine.
Flanked by his wife Josie, Ballentine said, “Thank you for providing a special place for us to continue doing what we do best.”
Joining Ballentine and his family at the ceremony were Ralph Slaughter, SU System president; Kofi Lomotey, SUBR chancellor; Myron Lawson, SU Board of Supervisors chairman, and Greg Lafleur, SUBR athletic director along with alumni, fans and friends.
The Southern University Board of Supervisors designated the park at its September meeting. “We [the Board of Supervisors] jumped to name this facility after two wonderful people who were pioneers in establishing the tailgating tradition,” said Lawson.
The park, which was developed to make room for the additions to the north end zone of A.W. Mumford Stadium, can accommodate more than 60 recreational vehicles with electrical outlets providing 50-amp service.
“We are glad to be able to offer this to our loyal fans. I have visited several sites and ours is by far one the finest in college football,” said Greg Lafleur, Southern University athletic director.
The Ballentines have been tailgating before and after Southern University football games for more than three decades. They began the tradition by traveling from Alexandria to Baton Rouge in their recreational vehicle and parking near the stadium prior to the start of Jaguar home games. Soon it became a gathering place for former classmates and friends where the Ballentines would serve members of the Jaguar Nation sandwiches and soft drinks.
Over the years, the Ballentine RV became known as “the meeting place” for relaxing and socializing before and after the games. The menu became more extensive and the circle of friends grew to alumni, state and national leaders, and celebrities.
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