Grambling State University had a rough time last week and this week things may get a little rougher.
After a week of boycotts by the football team, which caused Grambling to forfeit its game at Jackson State, the university may now face a lawsuit.
Jackson State said Tuesday that the university and the city lost millions over dollars when they were forced to cancel its homecoming game Saturday, and that it “plans to pursue litigation against Grambling State and others,” which could be very bad for the reportedly financially strapped Grambling.
Grambling President Frank Pogue told the University of Louisiana System board that oversees the historically black college that “it’s a rarity for any athletic team to come together to abandon their commitment to an institution by walking off the field. It’s a very unique experience. But we’re using this as an opportunity of learning, a teachable moment.”
Last week Grambling’s football players boycotted because of disagreements with university leaders, including the coaching staff and having to take long trips to road games by bus instead of plane. The players have ended the boycott and will play this weekend after their forfeit to Jackson State last week.
Jackson State’s director of university communications, Eric Stringfellow, elaborated a little about the financial losses by the school and the city of Jackson, Miss., in a message on JSU’s website. He said the homecoming game draws at least 20,000 fans annually and that the school will have to refund the money for the thousands of tickets.
“We have a fiduciary responsibility to Mississippi taxpayers and the JSU community to mitigate our ongoing and substantial losses,” Stringfellow wrote in the message. The letter also said they will take legal action against Grambling.
