Shaw's football program needs money. Like – right now!

Alumni and supporters issued an urgent call on Facebook for funds to provide the team with travel gear and equipment.

“We must come together to raise immediate funds for our Athletic Department. Recent changes in Name, Image, and Likness regulations, combined with reductions in higher education funding due to federal actions, have created significant challenges,” the Facebook post said. “Now, more than ever, your help is essential to ensure our student-athletes have the gear and resources they need to succeed.”

Alumni Ray Haskins, Lawrence Smith, Jackie Smith, Bobby Sanders, and others have launched an emergency campaign to raise $6,060 by Aug. 20 so athletic director George Knox can order the travel gear in time for the first road game on Sept. 7. Contact the athletic department to donate or for more information.

NCCU HOMECOMING CHANGES

Chancellor Karrie Dixon hosted a Zoom town hall last week to reveal the revamped rules and schedule for shortened homecoming activities beginning Oct. 17-18 and 24-25.

Homecoming events normally run  a couple of weeks leading up to game day. The traditional homecoming day party is Oct. 24, 2 to 6:30 p.m. Then the music stops. The campus will close at 7 p.m.

On Oct. 25, the homecoming game was moved up an hour to 1 p.m., followed by the Greek Bowl celebration from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Again, the music stops, and the campus closes down at 7 p.m. All visitors must leave. Tailgating ends at 3:30 in all parking areas – despite the game still going on – except the track and RV lots.

The changes are the result of two shootings at last year’s homecoming that injured four people. Some alumni took the changes in stride. “Homecoming is what we make it and if you have been to the bowl in the last few years, it’s very unsafe,” one alumnus wrote on Facebook. “…There will always be changes and at least we know now versus the week of. No matter what we will complain either way. I am going to enjoy myself regardless.”

Others lamented the economic loss that NCCU will lose in the process. “We’re going to lose so much money. It just destroys the whole homecoming experience,” another post said. “I’m just so sad about this!!! At this rate, this is beginning to resemble a high school homecoming.”

And speaking of changes, the highly anticipated Nov. 15 matchup against defending MEAC champion South Carolina State has been moved to Nov. 14 at 5 p.m. at O’Kelly-Riddick Stadium. ESPN made the change.