Texas Southern Tigers Overview

Fast facts

League: NCAA Division I FCS

Head Coach: Clarence McKinney

Team Mascot: Tommy the Tiger

Year Opened: 2012

Capacity: 22000

City / State: Houston / Texas

Rivalries & Top Games to Attend

Labor Day Classic

Rival Team: Prairie View A&M Panthers

You won’t find a better time to come out to Houston for a Tigers football game than the Labor Day Classic. The Labor Day Classic between the Prairie View A&M Panthers and Texas Southern Tigers has been played every year since 1947, and the winner of the contest takes home the Durley-Nicks Trophy. Texas Southern leads the all-time series 44-27-1, and you won’t want to miss it as the Tigers try to extend their lead.

Texas State Fair Football Showdown

Rival Team: Southern Jaguars

If you’re a Tigers fan, make sure to attend the Texas State Fair Football showdown at the Cotton Bowl between Texas Southern and Southern. The two schools are scheduled to play in this contest in 2018 and 2019, both of which will likely be memorable games.

Texas Southern Tigers Tailgate Guide

Atmosphere

Texas Southern plays at Shell Energy Stadium in downtown Houston providing you with plenty of places to grab a drink. There are lots of great bars and restaurants near the stadium, so before your trip take some time to plan out which establishments you want to hit up before the game.

In addition to a great bar scene, Shell Energy Stadium is also home to plenty of tailgating. Lots B and C are the designated tailgate lots, and on game days you’ll find them filled with Tigers fans grilling out, throwing back beers, and having fun.

Tailgating is a huge part of the Texas Southern game day experience, so arrive early and enjoy everything I Tigers tailgate has to offer.

Traditions

Homecoming Parade

Make sure to check out the Texas Southern homecoming parade when attending the homecoming game. The parade takes place in the 3rd Ward and is an excellent way to get into the Tigers game day spirit.

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Where to tailgate

Texas Southern Tigers Stadium Guide

In Game

While the football game may be what’s advertised as the main event, it’s the Texas Southern Ocean of Soul Marching Band that steals the show. Like at a lot of HBCUs, the band steals the show at Tigers game making a trip to Shell Energy Stadium worth the price of admission just to see the band. The crowd is the loudest all game during the halftime performance, so don’t leave your seat during the break as you wouldn’t want to miss the Ocean of Soul.

In addition to the incredible band, you’ll also be treated to fantastic performances by the cheerleaders and the Motion of the Ocean dancers. Both groups are can’t-miss parts of the action and help give every Tigers game a uniquely collegiate feel.

Finally, the fans at Texas Southern do a great job of supporting their team. All throughout the game, you’ll hear the crowd roar when the Tigers make a big play. Get loud when the Tigers score or take away the ball from the opposition as there is no better feeling at a Tigers game than being part of the crowd.

A Texas Southern game features a fantastic band, spirit groups, and fans making a trip to Shell Energy Stadium a must for any FCS football fan.

Things to check out

Wall Art

All around the concourse of Shell Energy Stadium is wall art dedicated to Dynamo players and fans. The wall art celebrates current and past players, and there is even a mural dedicated to season ticket holders, so walk the concourse and see it all before kickoff.

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Houston Dynamo Championship Banners

Hanging above the south stand are banners honoring the Dynamo's 2006 and 2007 MLS Cup winning teams as well as the 2011 and 2012 Eastern Conference champions. Make sure to check out the banners and learn more about the MLS’s Houston Dynamo.

Texas Southern Ocean of Soul

The Texas Southern Ocean of Soul puts on an incredible performance at every game, so sit back and enjoy the show. The band is one of the best parts of any Texas Southern football game, and the fans go crazy during their halftime show, making it a can’t-miss part of the game.

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Cheerleaders

The Texas Southern cheerleaders pump up the crowd throughout the game. The cheerleaders do a fantastic job of riling up the crowd, so join in and give the Tigers an incredible home field advantage.

Motion of the Ocean

The dancers at Texas Southern will dazzle you with their routines, so don’t leave your seat when the Motion of the Ocean takes the stage. You won’t want to miss these talented performers during your trip to Shell Energy Stadium.

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Tiger Mascots

Keep an eye out for Texas Southern’s two tiger mascots. The beloved mascots get into all kinds of antics during the game and are a must-see for any fan in attendance.

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Fight Songs

  1. TSU Fight Song

    We Are The Tigers of TSU
    We Love Our Team
    And Our Colors Too!
    Hooray for Maroon & Gray

    Repeat

  2. Texas Southern Alma Mater

    The air is filled as our voices ring
    From earth to the heav’ns above.

    With voices raised; we’re
    singing praise,
    To the school we dearly love.

    Hail, Hail, Hail! to Texas South-ern
    Hail, to our dear Maroon and Gray
    Undivided we will stand
    By the greatest in the land,
    T-S-U, T-S-U, we love you.

    All roads lead to Texas South-ern,
    Paved with light for one and all.
    T-S-U’s a shining star
    And we’re proud of what you are,
    T-S-U, T-S-U, we love you.

    Hail, Hail, Hail! To Texas South-ern
    Hail to our Chiefs in reverence we sing.
    In our hearts you’ll always stay
    As you lead us on our way,
    T-S-U, T-S-U, we love you.

Texas Southern Tigers Bars & Restaurants

  1. Home Plate Bar & Grill

    Mike Speedway Lounge Beer Northstar Bar and Grill Beer Shipleys Tavern Beer Press Box Sports Bar Beer

    Downtown pub across the street from Minute Maid Park popular for pre- & post-game eats & drinks.

    1800 Texas St, Houston, TX 77003, USA

    Bar website

    sportsbar - $$

  2. Pete’s Dueling Piano Bar

    Petes Dueling Piano Bar

    It's a sing-along, clap-along, drink-along, have-one-helluva-good-time-along bar!

    1201 Fannin St, Houston, TX 77002, USA

    713-337-7383

    Bar website

    american - $$

  3. Tejas Grill & Sports Bar

    Tejas Grill and Sports Bar

    Tejas’ menu would be a mix of burgers, unique appetizers, tex-mex, steaks, and salads.

    1201 Lamar St, Houston, TX 77010, USA

    713-739-8352

    Bar website

    american - mexican - sportsbar - $$

  4. Hearsay Gastro Lounge

    Hearsay Gastro Lounge

    Upscale-casual pub & New American eatery serving innovative drinks in a 1880s brick building.

    218 Travis St, Houston, TX 77002, USA

    713-225-8079

    Bar website

    american - steakhouse - $$

  5. Eighteen Twenty Bar

    Eighteen Twenty Lounge

    Welcome to 1820, where all worries and fears die.

    1820 Franklin St, Houston, TX 77002, USA

    713-875-7162

    Bar website

    american - $$

  6. The Grove

    The Grove

    The Grove restaurant offers a modern and elegant urban dining experience unlike anything else in downtown Houston.

    1611 Lamar St, Houston, TX 77010, USA

    713-337-7321

    Bar website

    american - steakhouse - $$

  7. Flying Saucer Draught Emporium

    Houston Flying Saucer

    Flying Saucer Draught Emporium. Offering a wide variety of imported and domestic quality craft beers.

    705 Main St, Houston, TX 77002, USA

    713-228-9472

    Bar website

    american - $$

  8. Bombay Pizza

    Bombay Pizza

    A pizzeria that serves Italian cuisine graced with Indian herbs and spices.

    914 Main St #105, Houston, TX 77002, USA

    713-654-4444

    Bar website

    asian - italian - pizza - $$

  9. MKT BAR

    MKT BAr

    Casual, urban-chic spot in a market serving wine & beer paired with cafe fare & live music acts.

    1001 Austin St, Houston, TX 77010, USA

    832-360-2222

    Bar website

    american - $$

  10. The Lake House Waterside Café

    Lake House

    Beautiful spot to dine with your loved ones.

    1600 McKinney St, Houston, TX 77010, USA

    713-337-7320

    Bar website

    american - $

  11. Irma’s Southwest Grill

    Irmas Southwest Grill

    Casual spot for familiar Southwestern eats including fajitas, shrimp tacos & combo platters.

    1475 Texas St, Houston, TX 77002, USA

    713-247-9651

    Bar website

    american - mexican - $$

  12. Hubcap Grill

    Hubcap Grill burger

    Hubcap Grill is known for its juicy burgers, great french fries and old fashioned root beer in the bottle.

    1133 W 19th St, Houston, TX 77008, USA

    713-223-5885

    Bar website

    american - bbq

  13. Vic & Anthony’s Steakhouse

    Vic and Anthonys steak

    With an award-winning menu and a stunning selection of wine, Vic & Anthony's redefines every expectation of class and fine dining.

    1510 Texas Ave, Houston, TX 77002, USA

    713-228-1111

    Bar website

    american - steakhouse - $$$$