It’s time for football fans in Orangeburg County to really show their support.

Over the years, the high school programs at Edisto, Orangeburg Prep and Orangeburg-Wilkinson and the South Carolina State football team has served as a source of pride. Whether its winning region or conference championships, sending players to college greatness or the NFL Hall of Fame or being positive ambassadors for an entire region, those who have proudly worn the respective uniforms at these schools have proudly represented their fan bases.

This Tuesday at 5:30 p.m,, the fans will get a chance to show their appreciation to football in Orangeburg County during a rally on the square in downtown Orangeburg.

The rally is part of an effort by the Downtown Orangeburg Revitalization Association to show support for the South Carolina State football team. Coming off a 10-3 season which was highlighted by the school’s first outright Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference championship in 14 years and a NCAA Football Championship Subdivision playoff appearance, the Bulldogs will be looking for their ‘12th man’ to show up in droves this Tuesday and during the regular season.

“I’m hoping and praying that we can find a way to get the entire county, community and state to come up to be a part of South Carolina State University,” Pough said. “They’ve got to figure out that this is the best deal going rig ht now and we’re so local and so convenient for them that I think it would be great if we could build a relationship where we could do all kinds of things with each other and we can all benefit.”

Last year’s event drew a sizable crowd to the square on Russell Street. Along with performances by the S.C. State Marching 101, the Jarvis Brothers and the cheerleaders from Edisto, OPS and O-W, former Bulldog coaching legend Willie Jeffries served as Master of Ceremonies.

Mayor Paul Miller, Athletics Director Charlene Johnson, T&D Publisher Cathy Hughes and Pough also spoke and used the occasion to encourage fans to show their support through the purchase of season tickets. All are expected to appear this year, as well as members of the football teams at S.C. State and the county high schools.

More than just an event to help strengthen ties between the Orangeburg County and S.C. State, this is an opportunity for football fans locally to put their money where their heart lies. Fans around Orangeburg are always fond of stating they are diehard fans who support their teams unconditionally, win or lose.

This is especially true among Bulldog fans who often voice concern by telephone or e-mail about whether their school gets portrayed in a positive light. Well, here’s an event where the fans can demonstrate what’s special about S.C. State and do so in a positive, productive manner by their presence.

Most important, here’s a chance to salute those student-athletes who on a fall Friday and Saturday play their hearts out for 48 to 60 minutes on the gridiron for the schools they represent. From them, an appearance at Tuesday’s pep rally will mean as much as a victory.

S.C .State to participate in downtown Pep Rally

SCSU Sports Information

The South Carolina State football team will be among area teams participating in Tuesday’s “Pep Rally on the Square,” to kick off the 2009 football season.

The rally, sponsored by The Downtown Orangeburg Revitalization Association (DORA), begins at 5:30 p.m. on the square and will include participants from area high schools as well.

Also on hand will be city and business officials.

In addition to the Bulldog football team, the defending MEAC champion, S.C. State will be represented at the rally – open to the public — by the Marching 101 band, cheerleaders and school officials.

The Bulldogs open the 2009 campaign Sept. 6 against Grambling in the ESPN MEAC/SWAC Challenge at Orlando, Fla. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. at The Citrus Bowl.

Tickets for the contest are $21 each and can be purchased at the Bulldog Ticket Office until Aug. 28, after which they will be available online and at the stadium.

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