It’s Not a Game

Before my current writing life, there was The Hilltop, Howard University’s and the Nation’s Oldest Black Collegiate Newspaper, where many of the questions and themes I still explore first found their voice. What follows are my early published works, preserved in their original form.

From The Hilltop Archives

Originally published in The Hilltop, Howard University — September 12th, 2003

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It’s Not a Game

Y'all really thought this Howard/Hampton rivalry was about football?

There is definitely bad blood between these two schools that goes beyond football, goes beyond track, basketball and soccer. Hell, it goes beyond sports.

But, why can't we keep it to athletics like in the NBA, MLB, NCAA, NFL? 

They all have their fair share of rivalries from the Lakers and the Kings, the Red Sox and Yankees, OSU and Michigan and my personal favorite, the Broncos and the Raiders.

And they're able to shake hands when it's all said and done.

Sorry, but we can't do that.

It's embedded in us as early as orientation week.

We're told we're the best HBCU in the country. Personally, even if you aren't fortunate enough to come to the Mecca, the fact that they chose a Historically Black College/University to attend gets big-ups from me.

Unless, of course, you go to Hampton.

I don't know what is...wait yes I do.

Let's take a look at history.

Since the beginning, they've wanted to be like us. It's bad enough they were founded a year after Howard (and if you don't know the year, the founder and first president of Howard, stop reading and go to Founder's...NOW), but the original name given was Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute. 

And get this, in 1922 it was shorted to Hampton Institute and in1984 their Board of Trustees formally changed the name to Hampton University.

Wow, imitation is the greatest form of flattery. 

We've been beefin', whether officially or not, since their inception. 

So, they really go to an Institute and refuse to admit it. When I think of institute, I think of a secluded place for the criminally insane and mentally challenged.

I guess when you get rejected by Howard the only place left to go is a gated community in Virginia.

So, if any Hampton students pick up The Hilltop and read sports, let me informally welcome you, the Mecca's been waiting for you to come back home. 

Back to sports.

I am heated. In the four years I've been here, the Bison haven't won a single football game and I always got faith and say, "el proximo ano" (next year, foreign language people). 

This is "next year" and after we got our asses handed to us at Armstrong Stadium, I think it's time. 

On any given Sunday, well Saturday for the Bison, anything can happen. 

And Revenge is a dish best served cold, so I hope Hampton brought their gloves 'cuz frostbite ain't cool (no pun intended).

I don't want a blowout, that's letting them off the hook too easy. Nip-and-tuck the whole game. All it takes is one big play to rip their heart out and step on it.

There can only be one HU, you're at the right one.