4 chapters across the catalog
Adam Curry and Moe Factz open episode 88 by discussing the Jackson State University marching band, known as the Sonic Boom of the South. Curry recounts his childhood in the Netherlands and a 1978 vacation to the United States during the Bicentennial, where he first fell in love with American drum cadences and drill teams. The hosts establish the episode's trajectory, starting with a controversial photo of Jerry Jones and ending with Deion Sanders.
Louis Farrakhan on Collegiate Sports, Deion Sanders at Jackson State
Louis Farrakhan's 1990s speech at Michigan State is used to highlight the massive revenue black athletes generate for white universities. Farrakhan suggests black students should build their own institutions. This sets the stage for Deion Sanders' move to Jackson State University, which was initially seen as a disruptive force that could redirect top talent and revenue back to HBCUs.
Deion Sanders' arrival at Jackson State is characterized by his "Messiah" rhetoric, claiming God sent him to level the playing field for black athletes. He successfully recruited five-star players like Travis Hunter and Makur Maker to HBCUs. However, Moe notes Sanders' history of making "business decisions," a term Sanders coined to describe prioritizing his own career and longevity over team loyalty.
Deion Sanders' decision to leave Jackson State for the University of Colorado after only three years sparked significant backlash. Critics argue he abandoned the "Messiah" mission he sold to the HBCU community. Moe shares his personal college experiences at Appalachian State and NC A&T to illustrate the importance of autonomy and the challenges of building sustainable black institutions in the face of "fast buck" temptations.
