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.
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.
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.
Lots B and CThose of you looking to set up your own tailgate will want to head to Lots B and C. These lots are the designated tailgate lots at Shell Energy Stadium and are also where you’ll find the majority of tailgaters.
8th Wonder Brewery and Neil’s BahrIf you’re looking to hit the bars before the game, then 8th Wonder Brewery and Neil’s Bahr are two of the most popular spots near Shell Energy Stadium.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
We Are The Tigers of TSU
We Love Our Team
And Our Colors Too!
Hooray for Maroon & Gray
Repeat
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.