JXN Football Media Day Held to Celebrate  the City's Rich Football Tradition

The City With Soul hosted the inaugural JXN Football Media Day, celebrating the city's vibrant collegiate football culture. This exciting event brought together key figures from the local football scene, including the Mayor, the Honorable Chokwe Antar Lumumba, Visit Jackson President and CEO Dr. Rickey Thigpen, and representatives of Belhaven University, Jackson State University (JSU), and Millsaps College.

The JXN Football Media Day was held September 3, at 6:30 PM at Fondren Yard in the Fondren Historic District. The event featured a press conference during which participants discussed the significance of football in the City of Jackson, highlighted the sport's economic impact, and previewed the upcoming season.

These three institutions will collectively host 16 home games this football season, providing a significant economic boost to Jackson.

"Football is a major driver of tourism in Jackson, attracting visitors from across the country," said Dr. Thigpen. "Visit Jackson is honored to partner with members of our educational institution stakeholders, Belhaven University—my Alma Mater, Jackson State University, and Millsaps College. It's our mission to help fill those stands, hotel rooms, and restaurant seats as we welcome alums, visiting team fans, and football enthusiasts from all over."

The JXN Football Media Day is a testament to the passion and excitement surrounding football in Jackson. This event showcased the city's commitment to supporting its collegiate football programs and celebrating the sport's positive impact on the community.

"We know that historically football has been good for Jackson," said Floyd Williams, Jr., Director of Sports Marketing & Administration for Visit Jackson. "Football plays a significant role in Jackson, Mississippi's economy, reflected in the reported $25 million estimated economic impact powered by Tourism Economics for the upcoming 24' football season. The sport is deeply rooted in local culture."

Each school shared their vision and expectations for this season. Frank Neville, President of Millsaps College, reminded the crowd that while fostering a strong football culture in the city is important, it is all about the student-athlete.

Belhaven's head coach, Coach CJ Nightingale, reflected on the incredible privilege of operating in his faith and sharing this opportunity with his team. Coach T. C. Taylor, JSU's head coach, reflected on this past week's game, how hard his team fought against a Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) team, and how he looks forward to the energy of this weekend's game in Thee Vet. Coach Brandon Lechtenberg, Millsaps's head football coach, shared his excitement about returning to Jackson, where he met his wife and fell in love with this city and, indeed, the food, over fifteen years ago when he served as the defensive coordinator for Millsaps.

The in-city rival between Belhaven University and Millsaps College takes place Thursday, September 5, at 7 PM at Harper Davis Field on the campus of Millsaps College.

JSU takes on Lane College this Saturday, September 7, at 6 PM at Thee Vet in the W.C. Gorden Classic. The game is a blue out with red accents.

Football enthusiasts can log on to Visit Jackson's website to find detailed information about each team's schedule, find places to dine and drink, and explore things to do while in the City With Soul.