Southeastern Louisiana University Athletics

From Friendship Oak to the McClimans Hall clock... from Gumbo YaYa to Roomie...Southeastern treasures its traditions, new and old. Learn more about our special places, happenings and history.

Southeastern first chose the lion as its mascot in 1931. The mascot was nameless until the university acquired a live lion in the early 1960s and needed to call him something. Suggested monikers were narrowed down to "Lobo" and "Grego" -- a play on the school's colors. In 1963 election "Lobo" won, creating a rather awkward situation: Southeastern now had a lion whose name was Spanish for "wolf." In 1964 the name was changed to honor the late Hollis "Roomie" Wilson, a beloved biology professor and fervent Lions fan. Many students have portrayed Roomie in a variety of costumes over the years, but by tradition nobody knows who's inside the Lion suit. Roomie's portrayer is a secret!

Lion Walk

When football returned in 2002, the team began a new tradition. Two hours before kickoff, players and coaches, joined by the Spirit of the Southland marching band, make their way to Strawberry Stadium, passing through Friendship Circle to greet tailgating fans. 

The Victory Bell

When Southeastern scores on the gridiron, cheerleaders ring a large bell on wheels. The original bell disappeared during Southeastern's 18-year football hiatus, but thanks to the generosity of Hancock Bank which donated a new bell, Southeastern once again heralds touchdowns and field goals with a spirited peal.

Homecoming Week

The Homecoming bonfire and spirited Homecoming parade are among the many popular events during Southeastern's week long Homecoming celebration. Students on the "Dream Team" choose the annual Homecoming theme and sponsor fun events such as Gumbo Ya Ya, Lip Sync contest at Cook Fiel and the Roar Rally Spirit Competition. The spirited week also features the announcement of the Alumnus of the Year at the Alumni Association's annual Awards Evening and the crowning at halftime of the Homecoming Queen and Beau. The ladies of the court -- and other female fans -- sport large golden mum corsages.

River Bell Classic

In the Fall of 1972, Southeastern Louisiana University was looking for a new rivalry to replace its discontinued Gulf State Conference annual football clash with the University of Southwestern Louisiana (now Louisiana-Lafayette) for the Cypress Mug.  The alumni of Sigma Tau Gamma Fraternity felt Nicholls State University, on the Lions schedule for the ’72 season, was a natural choice given the close proximity of the two new Gulf South Conference members, and suggested the River Bell – symbolic of the Mississippi River separating the two schools -- as a trophy to be presented the victorious team. The concept was approved and Sigma Tau Gamma Alumni volunteered to create the trophy.

That original trophy has continued to serve as recognition for the annual victor of the River Bell Classic, as the contest has become known over the past 40 years.  

After the 2011 season, a local glass artist, Southeastern and Sigma Tau Gamma alumnus, – Wes Koon – was commissioned to design an appropriate replacement.  After some consideration, Wes enlisted the talents of John K. Sammons, a Nicholls graduate, for his craftsmanship with wood.  Later, the two approached Bruce Caliva, yet another Sig Tau and Southeastern alum, for his skill with some final woodwork detail.

The redesigned trophy has specific elements representing the colors and geographic location of both universities as well as the legendary river separating the two, yet maintains the tradition of the rivalry – the River Bell.  Furthermore, the trophy’s constructed of rich cypress indigenous to the unique region of the proud universities.  

Gumbo Ya Ya and Strawberry Jubilee

Gumbo Ya-Ya in the fall and Strawberry Jubilee in the spring salute our state's spicy culture by serving up tons of jambalaya, gumbo, redbeans and rice, juicy berries -- and the biggest strawberry cake you've ever seen. Sponsored by the Campus Activities Board, the fun mid-day events feature cool games, hot bands, and campus-wide camaraderie.

Rental Textbooks

Southeastern is the only university in Louisiana and one of just a few in the nation where students rent, not buy, textbooks. Students save a bundle by paying a small rental fee at the beginning of the semester, and simply turning their books back in at the end of the term.

Miss Southeastern

Southeastern has been crowning a "Miss Southeastern" since 1949, and the annual pageant has been a Miss America preliminary since 1962. Past winners frequently gather for Homecoming reunions. Two Southeastern students have reigned as Miss Louisiana, Phyllis Kelly, Miss Southeastern 1978, and Blair Abene, Miss Southeastern 2006.

Southeastern Clock

The historic clock that was once a landmark of downtown Hammond now keeps time for Southeastern students. Estimated to have been built between 1915 and 1920, the clock was donated to the university by AmSouth Bank. Totally refurbished and trimmed with stained glass panels featuring Southeastern's logo, the copper timepiece adorns McClimans Hall in Friendship Circle.

Fanfare and the Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts

Fanfare, our annual festival of the arts, humanities and social sciences, dominates the month of October and is the "opening act" for the year-long presentations at the Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts, Southeastern's historic renovated downtown performing arts center. The Fanfare-Columbia season showcases a cultural feast of dance, exhibits, films, jazz, lectures, music and theater spotlighting big name guest artists and our own talented faculty and students.