THE ISSUE: S.C. State football rally

OUR OPINION: Event further builds pride in university

History records a once-strained relationship between the city of Orangeburg and South Carolina State University.

As much as events are chronicled and will remain a part of the community and the university’s history, there should be recognition of how much more there is to the relationship between Orangeburg and its largest institution of higher learning.

South Carolina State is the leading economic force in Orangeburg, and Orangeburg’s leaders have long recognized the university as a vital ingredient in community progress. There are many links today between the university and community in civic and cultural events. And then there is football.

That sport of sports that dominates the autumn.

Establishment of the Orangeburg Touchdown Club became a reality through cooperation between community and university, with S.C. State head football coach Buddy Pough being a driving force. Pough and S.C. State coaching legend Willie Jeffries remain active supporters of the club, for which S.C. State is the flagship university.

Bringing together football fans once a week in a meeting environment to talk football and hear coaches speak of their challenges has led to greater appreciation of football here — particularly S.C. State football. Even among those calling themselves die-hard fans of Clemson, South Carolina, Furman, The Citadel, Wofford, etc., there is interest in the Orangeburg Bulldogs. And there is pride.

The community gets a chance to show that pride today when a pep rally for the Bulldogs is held for the second year downtown on Memorial Plaza. The event begins at at 5:30 p.m. It will further connect the community with the Bulldogs, who will be on hand to talk with fans and supporters.

South Carolina State is picked to win the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference football crown for the second consecutive year. The Bulldogs want to bring home the title and advance again to compete for a national championship.

That would be a great thing for the university — and the community. A winning football team attracts fans to games and to Orangeburg. Winning teams build broader support for the university. And a stronger university means a stronger Orangeburg.

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