Green Wave football kicks off
The gridiron is heating up with Green Wave football season kicking off with a match against the Southeastern Louisiana Lions on August 29.
New head coach Jon Sumrall is enthusiastic about the team — on and off the field.
“I’ve been blown away with how receptive the returners who were on the team previously have been and I’ve been impressed with how the newcomers have integrated into the team. I think we have a lot of guys of really high character in our locker room and that’s comforting for me.”
Says Sumrall, “I want to win games. I want to pursue championships. I want to continue to build the brand of Tulane football, but I also want to do that while helping our guys become the best they can be in every area of their lives.”
Taking on the position as Green Wave head coach was a homecoming for Sumrall who previously served as the co-defensive coordinator for Tulane for three seasons from 2012-2014.
He is thrilled with the enthusiasm and commitment of the Tulane community. “When the stadium was brought back on campus, I think that was a huge shift. It showed a real commitment to doing football at a high level and I think there have been huge milestones that have reinforced that.”
The gameday experience isn’t just thrilling for fans, it contributes to the success of Green Wave players, according to Sumrall. “When the stadium is full, and we play a home game and there are a lot of Tulane supporters there, our players feed off that energy. It makes a difference in the win column when our fan base shows up.”
As college football continues to evolve with the transfer portal and new name, image and likeness (NIL) rules impacting rosters across the country, alumni support is more important than ever.
“Without the support of our alumni we cannot be successful,” says Sumrall. “The way that college football is now with our need for facility upgrades and the NIL space we all live in, just showing up to games and being supportive and buying tickets and having people in the seats is a big deal.”
And alumni fans receive a special welcome on campus. On gameday alumni can enjoy tailgating at the Bea Field Alumni House as they get ready to cheer on a new season of champions.
“The support of the alumni makes a tremendous difference,” adds Sumrall. “There is nothing like being on campus on a Saturday or whatever day you play in college football and supporting the team of the school where you went. That’s a special experience and now is a special time at Tulane Athletics and Tulane Football.”
To see the full Tulane Football schedule, click here.
