2024 MARCH MADNESS
Where is Grambling State University and which famous people studied there?
One of the most important Historically Black Colleges and Universities in the country, March Madness suits Grambling State University down to the ground.
In the south Louisiana that I grew up in, there are several colleges that cast their shadow over the sporting landscape. LSU is the monster that looms large in the state, but Tulane, Southern University, Lafayette, and of course Grambling are all able to carve out their own mark.
So ubiquitous are those schools, that it came as a shock to me when I moved to Georgia to attend college that many people had never heard of anything other than LSU. While I could understand, perhaps, not knowing a private school like Tulane, or a Cajun-populated one like Lafayette (known as Southwestern back in those days), it made no sense to me how little knowledge there was about Southern or Grambling.
Where is Grambling State University?
The royal family of Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Southern University in Baton Rouge is the largest, while Grambling has the stronger athletic program. Their football team, led by legendary coach Eddie Robinson, was always a strong contender in any game.
Located in Grambling, Louisiana, Grambling State University is a stalwart of the HBCU world. Begun in 1901 as the North Louisiana Agricultural and Industrial School, it took it’s current name in honor of a white sawmill owner, P. G. Grambling, who donated a parcel of land for the school in 1946.
While legendary on the football field, it is on the basketball court that Grambling is making waves today. They have won their first NCAA Tournament game in their very first ever March Madness appearance.
An epic second-half comeback earned the Tigers an 88-81 overtime win over Montana State in Wednesday’s First Four match. Trailing by as many as 14 points in the second half, Grambling State stormed back behind sophomore guard Jimel Cofer, who posted a team-high 19 points off the bench, with Jourdan Smith and Antwan Burnett each adding 18 points for the Tigers.
“Incredible. That’s what March is made of, baby,” said coach Donte’ Jackson. “You got to find a way to fight, stay in the game, and have that one last run.”
Notable people at Grambling
Over the years, such eminent figures as President Bill Clinton have served as keynote speakers for graduation at Grambling, while the alumni includes the great and good from all walks of society.
Some of their alumni include:
- Erykah Badu: Grammy Award-winning artist
- Charles M. Blow: New York Times columnist
- Doug Williams: Former NFL quarterback and Super Bowl MVP. Also served as the head football coach at Grambling State University.
- Judi Ann Mason: television writer, producer and playwright, with credits that include Good Times, Sanford and Son, A Different World, Beverly Hills, 90210, I’ll Fly Away, American Gothic, Generations, and Guiding Light.
- Willie Brown: Former NFL cornerback and Pro Football Hall of Famer.
- Paul “Tank” Younger: Former NFL fullback and pioneer as one of the first African-American players in modern professional football.
- Willis Reed: Former NBA player, Hall of Famer, and coach, best known for his time with the New York Knicks.
- Bettye Davis: first African-American member of the Alaska Senate and former member of the Alaska House of Representatives from the 21st district
- Frank Lewis: Former NFL wide receiver who played for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Buffalo Bills.
- Ernie Ladd: Former professional wrestler and football player, known as “The Big Cat” both in the AFL/NFL and in the wrestling world.
Grambling State will face top ranked Purdue in the Round of 64 on Friday night. Taking down the Zach Edey-led Boilermakers will be no easy task, but the Tigers are not afraid of a scrap and will be hoping to ride the wave of their comeback.