Jackson Jambalaya

KF got it right!!

To lose only 400K per year, the dome "would have to host other events that included conference championship games, concerts, meetings, corporate events and banquets".

We already have a white elephant to host meetings, corporate events and banquets called the Convention Center, which at last look has been open nearly 10 years and loses 4 million per year.

Yeah lets build a dome on the campus of JSU so that the rest of the state who is footing the bill feels comfortable going "down in there" to get robbed and mugged. Makes total sense.

Is there a feasible way to study the percentage of taxpayers versus non tax payers that attend JSU's games currently? I have a feeling how that would turn out.

63 per year is more than one per week. These people are nuts if they think this market would support that much activity.

KF, How can you readily admit the the Predominantly White Institutions (PWI's) have tax payer funded stadiums, but yet balk at the idea of JSU getting public help for their stadium? That's more of the a-historical thinking that cripples Mississippi today. Yes, much of the funding today for the stadium upgrades at U of MS and MSU are privately/alumni funded, but don't you think that the reason why the Alumni have the dollars to give is due in no small part to the structural and institutional inequities that advantaged the PWI's during Jim Crow that so characterize the education that they were able to recieve, even today? As a state, we must reconcile injustice in order to truly elevate the disaffected citizens of this state. You can't break a dog's leg and then shame it for limping.

I didn't say they shouldn't have a stadium. JSU has one now. However, if it is torn down for development, then obviously JSU should get one on campus as Tulane did. However, there is a difference between building a stadium and a Taj Mahal.

You can bring in Jim Crow all you want but economics are economics. If we are going to spend money to erase the legacy of Jim Crow, there are MUCH better things to spend it on than a domed stadium that will do nothing but gusher, not bleed, but gusher money.

JSU could bring events to Memorial stadium now. How many does it bring? What makes you think things will change?

Oh, you wily KF with your facts and your logic and your rational thinking! You should support funding emotional decisions, economics be damned!!! Racist.

I've thought all along that when the legislature signed over Memorial Stadium to JSU, that it was ultimately a way of getting UMC to fund a new stadium. UMC floats bonds and pays an enormous price for the property, and JSU has a substantial portion of the money it wants for a new stadium. Bad news is that the money to service the bonds reduces what's available for health care services provided to all Mississippians.

There is not any school or group in the state of Mississippi that is "deserving" of a dome. NONE..Black, White, Cuban, or Asian.

JSU has been given a stadium and they always complained of its age and upkepp. Not once do I remember them doing something themselves to help it, just crying for help and a handout.

The Bible says "build your house upon the rock, not the sand" well with the crime around JSU…IT'S QUICKSAND!

Google the new ASU stadium in Montgomery. $68,000,000 to build. A fourth of the proposed dome. Beautiful stadium. All you really need for a small university.
JSU is dreaming if they think they book 63 events a year in a dome. They actually didn't say that. They said they would only LOSE $400,000 per year if they booked 63 events. What happens when they only book 12????
Stadium consultants get paid to validate, by any voodoo economics needed, the desires of the people writing the check.

So KF, you are for the taxpayers helping to fund a JSU stadium, just not a money pit of a 50K seat dome? I can agree that JSU may need to rethink the size and scope of the project, but it is hard to argue that the state shouldn't kick in some funds, considering the history and present inequities readily observable primarily because of that history.


Economics are they way they are because of decsions made, historically and today, that are characterized by Jim Crow. There is no way to get around the reality that, for instance, JSU's plans will be impacted by the state flag, which is rife with Jim Crow symbolism,regardless of the revisionist tropes lauded by the Sons of the Confederate Vets.


One of the revenue streams JSU wants to look at for a dome is the hosting of NCAA tournaments. That can't happen in MS because the NCAA is prohibiting post season tourneys in the state because of the flag. A people cannot progress if they ignore the lessons from history. MS has a long way to go in reconciling its hisotry in helping to build a better future for our children.

This is putting the cart before the horse. Maybe JSU should start with increasing their attendance to football games and then we talk about this. Averaging around 16,000 per game, but want to house 50,000? Is this a baseball field in a cornfield in Iowa? "If you build it they will come" is not a sound economic plan. Unfortunately that mentality is prevalent in these parts.

When JSU starts turning down potential ticket-buyers because there are no more seats left for a game then they will have a legit need for a new, larger stadium.

9:08 is correct about the "white advantage" taught in colleges today. Let's help them out by giving JSU $250,000,000 in Confederate dollars to get them started.

Why is it that whenever JSU or for that matter any traditionally black college cries "we're poor" they always blame it on Jim Crow, poor funding,and no opportunities for young blacks. Yet the school continues to admit anyone who can breath and has low ACT scores. Their alumni don't have decent jobs or the school could collect from them. It all has to do with having a cheap education at a sub standard institution. It may be rated high for black colleges, but to be competitive, compare it to other state and southern colleges. Upgrade your standards and the alumni bucks will roll in.

Perhaps the city could pay to bus in indigent football fans from other states like they were going to do for the Jackson Rising Chokwe Lumumba extravaganza.

JSU needs a stadium, not an arena. Build what Ole Miss and MSU started with at state expense: 32,000 seats in two freestanding grandstands. Then, when they can pay for it, they can expand. Freedom and equality for all...

10:14 is right--look at the new Alabama State Hornet Stadium. It's beautiful--meets the needs of ASU AND didn't break the bank.

The convention center needs an attached HOTEL for conventions to actually use the space.

BTW--in the mid 70's MM Roberts Stadium down in Hattiesburg cost 6.3 million. In today's dollars thats 26 million or so. That would be a great one-time starter seed for a 9500 student university to build a stadium...

I don't recall you being this staunchly against some level of public funding Kingfish when Uncle Ben Cheerleader was proposing public funding be used to build his Taj Mahal downtown indoor arena.

Will you staunchly oppose public funding to build a convention center hotel that the private market won't finance? Uncle Ben says that the City of Jackson is going to need to kick in 40% of the build cost.

How about the proposed lake? Should taxpayers pay for that and Watkins' pipe dream downtown waterfare?

Is there any consistency in your position?

Stadium consultants get paid to validate, by any voodoo economics needed, the desires of the people writing the check.

Did you oppose the Convention Center?

Why does everyone assume the JSU stadium would be in Jackson? I believe JSU plans on growing their fine establishment in Madison. If they bought one of the empty fields close to that campus, that would be a perfect place to build a nice stadium for JSU gameday.

12:28 hit the nail on the head! i'm sure the mayor of madison would get behind a project like that 100%. they need big fields for tailgating and all that!

Perhaps the city could pay to bus in indigent football fans from other states like they were going to do for the Jackson Rising Chokwe Lumumba extravaganza.

Kenny Stokes has a lot of experience dealing with the bus companies. He can handle this.

Take it out of Ayers' money.



Re: 11:55's comment: I saw a woman with a "Proud JSU Alumni" T-shirt in the line ahead of me at Kroger.

She was swiping her EBT card.

The Mary Dome.

State and Ole Miss actually have a positive local impact on their respective towns with football revenue. JSU just brings in a rolling cesspool of wannabe thugs and imitation rich in used Cadillacs. Sure State just expanded their stadium, but look at the local revenue when it consistently sells out. Same thing with Ole Miss. The Square in Oxford is an economic wonderland and rental property in both areas has skyrocketed. Meanwhile people actively pay more money to be farther from JSU.

"Yeah, I know, Ole Miss, State, and Southern all got taxpayer-paid stadiums. That took place a long time ago."

Ok I guess I don't get that rationale. It was somehow ok for them to get stadiums and not JSU? Since it was a long time ago and all.

12:23
As a matter of fact, I did oppose the Convention Center. Very few of them are in the black. Every city seems to think they need one and most of them are under utilized.

1:52
JSU has got a stadium. You know, that big concrete structure West of UMMC? What don't you understand about that? Let me repeat, slowly, JSU has GOT a staduim. They want another one.

the state of ms dosnt have an economic pot to piss in and someone wants a useless domed stadium. this state cant afford to build a domed stadium. im sure that with renovations paid by jsu the existing stadium could be great. put in luxury boxes- a club level. all that.

"Ok I guess I don't get that rationale. It was somehow ok for them to get stadiums and not JSU? Since it was a long time ago and all. "

Unlike you, some of us learn from our mistakes and try not to repeat them. It's too bad for JSU they didn't walk in with their begging bowl when the others did, but we no longer have any money to even consider consider another guaranteed money-loser.

"Economics are they way they are because of decsions made, historically and today, that are characterized by Jim Crow. There is no way to get around the reality that, for instance, JSU's plans will be impacted by the state flag, which is rife with Jim Crow symbolism,regardless of the revisionist tropes lauded by the Sons of the Confederate Vets.


One of the revenue streams JSU wants to look at for a dome is the hosting of NCAA tournaments. That can't happen in MS because the NCAA is prohibiting post season tourneys in the state because of the flag. A people cannot progress if they ignore the lessons from history. MS has a long way to go in reconciling its hisotry in helping to build a better future for our children."

September 30, 2014 at 10:15 AM


So you can politely tell the Afican American lady who lives in either California or New York(she won't return phone calls) to take down the rebel flag billboard heading into the capital city? She seems to be the only one flying it loud and proud these days.

Things will go away if you quit stirring it up, and that's all that billboard is doing.

'You people' who shout racism from the rafters need to shut the hell up and realize one thing. The so called 'white schools' in this state do not have stadiums built or supported by the taxpayers. Those building projects hinge on alumni and private donations...something JSU knows nothing about.

It's fine for JSU alums and bandwagon fans to fill up the Memorial Stadium parking lot with whiskey bottles and grills on game day. It's quite another when the hat is passed to put up or shut up.

As always, looking for a handout, something for nothing, state supported, along with a special bill in the legislature.

Too bad Ayers didn't require the state to build a domed stadium for these clowns. But, if it were contingent on meeting their integration mandate (per Ayers), it would never happen.

Let Bennie build the damned thing.

Jus should have a stadium on campus. All the cars in one location will make it easier for the Bulgars, car hackers, or thieves to make their income. And jus will be able to charge them a convenience fee.

Yes, they can do that now, but they have to split the profits with the city of Jackson.

/ tear down memorial stadium, it's a dump and an eyesore.

JSU has got a stadium. You know, that big [PIECE OF SHIT] concrete structure West of UMMC [Where MSU AND Dan "Colonel Reb" Jones WON'T have their teams Play anymore]? What don't you understand about [JSU Getting the Hand Me Down Piece of Shit Stadium] that? Let me repeat, slowly, JSU has GOT a [PIECE OF SHIT] stadium [That ONLY the RACIST MFs in Mississippi see as adequate].

September 30, 2014 at 4:24 PM = PITIFUL Piece of MS Racist's PAST SHIT

Hope some of you are feeling better now that you got that out of your system.

As for my inconsistencies, allow me to retort, si vous plait.

I opposed the Convention Center Hotel. Go check the coverage back then. I was the only site that put out the Journeyman proposal which was much cheaper.

I am for a one lake plan because flood control IS a proper function of government. Levies do nothing to generate tax revenue and economic development. No reason we can't have flood control and something that generates revenue. I like ROI's that are more than zero.

Then there is the arena. Lets face it. The Coliseum is trash. It small. Its a bad design. The acoustics suck. It needs to be torn down. I support a new arena. However, we don't need TWO arenas nor a taj mahal stadium as outlined by these consultants. Tulane moved from the dome to an on-campus stadium. If Memorial is transferred, I support the idea of building a 30,000 seat stadium. JSU can raise private dollars to expand it as everyone else does today.

Sure- build that domed stadium and just watch the events flow over there: I'm sure the residents that live near JSU can pay 100-200 dollars a show for the weekly events that need to be booked in order to run a 400k DEFICIT. I'm sure that One Direction show will bring all the Tweens and Teens from Madison....Pack the dome to the rafters...

Just curious. What does jsu do now to promote and use Memorial stadium outside of college football?

Let me repeat, slowly, JSU has GOT a [PIECE OF SHIT] stadium [That ONLY the RACIST MFs in Mississippi see as adequate].

September 30, 2014 at 4:24 PM = PITIFUL Piece of MS Racist's PAST SHIT

7:22 hahahahaha 4:24 here. So it's racist to point out that JSU has got the stadium, (you know, the one that they demanded from the legislature?) What a moron you are. You got what you asked for, but now you want more (from the white man, because it's owed to you, right?) hahahahahahaha

You know it is quite amusing that JSU hollered loud that they wanted Memorial stadium for themselves. So the taxpayers have already paid for one stadium for them.

How about this idea. Since we need a new Coliseum, why not combine that with a facility for JSU? Tear down existing coliseum and trade mart and build there.

It will be close to JSU campus and help the downtown area. Might even help that hotel that is needed at convention center.

And oh by the way when Alcorn did their stadium expansion and renovations, it was paid for by the state. The expansions and upgrades at UM, MSU and USM have all been privately paid for. So be careful throwing out the racist stuff.

Madisondome...a joint collaboration between Tulane-Madison, JSU-Madison, the City of Madison, and the State. It's the perfect spot for Jay-Z, P-Diddy and the like to have their shows in Mississippi--right between Canton and Jackson--within driving distance of the Delta. They can even put the hologram of 2Pac and get one for Biggie Smalls going out there...

at 1:52 PM

"Ok I guess I don't get that rationale. It was somehow ok for them to get stadiums and not JSU? Since it was a long time ago and all."

So, was JSU even designated a 'university' at that time? What were the attendance #'s vs the big three then?

It seems from your attitude that you would call for all blacks to vacate MSU, UM ,USM & come huddle with you to beat drums against those who are depressing you. Frankly, I don't understand how, on one hand, "a people" can stay stooped-over mentally as you, while a fair percentage of the same "a people" can function just fine out in the world.

Time to close JSU and merge it with UM.

There, I said it.

April 19, 2006

Bill would fund study on stadium

By Mark Alexander
Clarion Ledger

"JSU began playing its home games at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium in 1967, shortly before JSU demolished its campus facility to make way for a science building.

JSU rents the 60,000-seat facility each game from the Stadium Commission for $15,000, or seven percent of ticket sales, whichever is greater. The Stadium Commission receives 49 percent of the concession proceeds and retains all of the parking rights.
JSU also pays to bus its players and band members to each home game at the stadium, which is about five miles from the JSU campus."

Modern day sharecropping. And by the way, JSU didn't demand vet stadium, they wanted a new stadium on campus and this what the state gave them.

Now that is a good comment.

Modern day sharecropping = Mississippi Republican Party

"Time to close JSU and merge it with Hinds."

There, I fixed it for you.

"Modern day sharecropping = Mississippi Republican Party"

According to 5:25 this arrangement was made in 1967.

Exactly how many Republicans had been elected to statewide office in 1967? And which house in the legislature did they control in 1967?

Thanks for playing - next contestant please!

The Dixiecrats are alive and well in the Mississippi Republican Party.

"If you give a mouse a cookie (a stadium), he's going to ask for a glass of milk (50,000 seat dome).

Jackson State has bigger problems than just needing a new football stadium (that they can't fill up). We're not falling for your bogus numbers and "study". No way would JSU be able to handle something of this magnitude. Give them a 20,000 seat stadium for 20 million an make them happy. Maybe they will stop begging for a handout after that.

Stop begging for a handout when Thad Cochran is promising more handouts to the HBCUs in exchange for Democratic votes? LOL You Dixiecrats are certifiably psycho.

Maybe Jackson State should be evaluating why employers don't hold a degree from their institution to very high standards.