Bayou Classic attendance could be on the way up with SWAC West title on the line

NEW ORLEANS -- Grambling coach Broderick Fobbs took a stroll down memory lane during Tuesday's Bayou Classic kickoff press conference in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. He recalled spending many Thanksgivings in New Orleans growing up while attending the Bayou Classic.

He also played running back for the Tigers from 1993-96 and remembers the buzz around the game.

Fobbs will be leading his squad onto the field in the 41st Bayou Classic on Saturday for the first time as head coach.

Many things have changed since Fobbs attended and played in the game. Back then, the event drew in excess of 65,000 fans every season. But since Hurricane Katrina, attendance has been significantly less. The last four seasons, Bayou Classic attendance has averaged 44,394 fans, including 47,385 in 2013. That number is tickets distributed and not actual attendance.



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