BALTIMORE, Md. (October 4, 2018) -- Historically, when sides clash in battle; there's always a platform of representation. It might be a tribe, nation, or a village; something is being represented. And there's pride for it.

In the world of college athletics, that outlook is the same. It could be a state, city, institution being represented in battle. But before battles take place, there are expressions of glamour, pageantry, or even fierceness before it begins. It might be a team running out on a field, a special entrance, and even gameday traditions.

Within the football program, it's been boldly declared "It's A New Day."

As interim head coach Ernest T. Jones continues to progress the MSU Football legacy; a new tradition has been started.

The Walk of Pride is that tradition.

It's a combination of a few important aspects of a typical college football gameday experience. The football team, band, cheerleaders and student body. As the Morgan State football team arrives on campus, they walk through campus to their Hughes Stadium lockerroom to prepare for battle. As they walk, the Magnificent Marching Machine blasts tunes of Morgan spirit through their instruments. The Cheer Bears are cheering the team on, even before a snap is played. And the student body and alumni are there in support as well. It's an amazing experience that took place before the Towson vs. Morgan State contest on September 1st and will continue moving forward.

But the current festivities means so much more on a historical level. The tradition is named the "Walk of Pride." Pride for Morgan State is why this is so significant. That pride goes way back to 1867 when Morgan was founded. It started as the Centenary Biblical Institute, then Morgan State College, and now Morgan State University. This institution was grown and now is Maryland's Preeminent Urban Public Research Institution. As Morgan State progressed and did great things; the football program did the same.

Being a head coach is a role one must take immense pride and respect in. Coach Jones has taken that on. He's following a giant legacy of MSU football coaching legends. The first name that comes up is Eddie P. Hurt. Hurt is the winningest head football coach in school history (174-51-17) and won 14 CIAA titles. He also led the Bears to a 57 game non-losing streak from 1931 to 1938. That legacy was continued by Earl C. Banks who went 94-30-3 in 13 seasons at MSU. He won five CIAA titles and one MEAC title as MSU transitioned to a new division within the NCAA. Three more coaches have won MEAC titles since then including Henry Lattimore (1976), Clarence Thomas (1979), and Lee Hull *(2014). So for coach Jones, the pride is alive and well. He's continuing a legendary lineage of football coaches here at MSU.

And for the players, the pride runs deep. When they put on the Orange and Blue like hundreds have done before them; it's important. It's important because of MSU greats like Roosevelt Brown, Len Ford, Leroy Kelly, and Willie Lanier; who are all NFL Hall of Famers. MSU's rich football roots connect to many former players in the NFL, CFL, and other professional leagues in recent history.

When the uniform is on and the battle begins, the players are playing with pride as they try to make their impact and leave a legacy. Lasting legacies that include MSU historical statistic leaders like Michael Moore in passing yards, Ali Culpepper in rushing yards, Marc Lester in receiving, Joe Fowlkes in interceptions, Elvis Franks in tackles, and sacks leader Willie Thompson.

For the student body and the MSU fanbase, the pride for the true orange and blue is alive and well. When they walk into Hughes Stadium and into other stadiums, they have pride for Morgan. Win or loss, it's the ongoing support that is a major factor.

So the Walk of Pride is more than a pre-game ritual; it connects to so much more. It's a sign of strength, unity, and progression as MSU continues to expand.

ABOUT MORGAN
Morgan State University, founded in 1867, is a Carnegie-classified doctoral research institution offering more than 100 academic programs leading to degrees from the baccalaureate to the doctorate. As Maryland's Preeminent Public Urban Research University, Morgan serves a multiethnic and multiracial student body and seeks to ensure that the doors of higher education are opened as wide as possible to as many as possible. For more information about Morgan State University, visit www.morgan.edu.