Photo: FAMU Marching 100 By St. Clair Murraine, DEMOCRAT STAFF WRITER
For almost two hours Saturday morning, a steady processional of FAMU football fans waited their turn for a swipe of the Sharpie. They brought posters, footballs, schedule cards and other things to rows of tables for the Rattlers to sign on a Fan Day that almost didn't happen.
Many among the hundreds of fans also let the players know that they want FAMU to capture a MEAC title this season. Some even predicted an undefeated season.
Coach Rubin Carter, who is in his third season, assured the audience during a brief pep talk that his players understood the mandate.
“We're unified in our efforts to a relentless pursuit of the MEAC championship and become one of the best teams in the country once again,” Carter said. “We will get there.”
Gaither Gym wasn't packed, but there was a steady stream of fans throughout the morning. The event was canceled Thursday, but it was back on as planned after FAMU received promotional materials Friday for the players to sign.
“I'm glad it came back on,” said senior linebacker Vernon Wilder, signing a small stack of posters in front of him. “It makes us pumped because all the fans want the MEAC championship. It just adds to the excitement for the upcoming games.”
Fans like Herman Donaldson had particular interest in the first game on the schedule - a Sept. 1 revival of FAMU's rivalry with Southern University. The first meeting between FAMU and Southern in five years is the third annual MEAC-SWAC Challenge, but its significance runs deeper.
“That is where the roots started,” said Donaldson, referring to one of the oldest black-college football rivalries. “We remember that game so well. It was a jumping stone to make it happen. I think this year it's going to do way much more and (exceed) our expectations.”
Like Donaldson, who brought his daughter to meet the players, several other parents came out with their children. John Peterman had his son and daughter, who are too young to understand what all the rah-rah was about.
FAMU's football tradition and a desire to support his alma mater brought him out, Peterman said.
“So many have come through here,” he said, referring to FAMU greats such as Willie Galimore and Bob Hayes.
It was clear he wanted this year's team to have the same success as FAMU did when Galimore and Hayes played.
“I'm always expecting them to win the MEAC every year,” he said.
Winning its first MEAC title under Carter shouldn't be too difficult as far as George Burton is concerned. He even disliked the preseason pollsters' pick of FAMU to finish fifth in the league.
“I'm a true Rattler,” he said. “I'm talking 11-0. I look at the schedule, and I don't see anything to worry about.”
Then, he remembered FAMU's meeting with defending MEAC champ Hampton on Nov. 10. FAMU leads the series 10-5 but lost the last two meetings to the Pirates.
MEAC- SWAC Challenge: FAMU vs. Southern, 3 p.m. Sept. 1, Birmingham, Ala., on WHBX (96.1 FM).
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