GRAMBLING STATE UNIVERSITY
MEDIA RELATIONS OFFICE
GRAMBLING, LOUISIANA
(318) 274-2560
(318) 274-3330 FAX
mediarelations@gram.edu
For Immediate Release: December 2, 2008
Bayou Classic Pre-Roast and Toast a success
Grambling State University alumni, family and friends celebrated after GSU’s Bayou Classic victory with a Pre-Roast of GSU Bandmaster Dr. Larry Pannell and Head Football Coach Rod Broadway on Nov. 29.
The event served as a pre-cursor to a planned roast in the spring of 2009 when a $15 million fine arts building at Grambling.
GSU President Dr. Horace Judson welcomed attendees to the event.
Pannell’s roasters were Janice Cowan, coordinator of band activities; Freddie Colston, a 1971 graduate and former cymbal player; O’Neal Robinson, Pannell’s former roommate and drum major; and Dillard Sims, Pannell’s student assistant.
All shared humorous anecdotes and insight into Pannell’s personality and his interaction with fans of Grambling’s World Famous Marching Band. Cowan drew loud applause from the audience as she talked about Pannell’s seemingly inability to say no to fans.
“We have to embrace our fans, Cowan. They are the future. You have to be a people person,” Cowan quoted Pannell as saying.
Dressed in black and white from headed toe (including a pair of black and white Spectators), Pannell’s attire became a source of humor on its own. “Dr. Pannell, Cab Calloway wants his shoes back,” Dr. Judson chimed from the audience, drawing raucous laughter.
J. Lin Dawson, GSU’s new Athletic Director, delivered a heart-felt toast of Broadway, tracing Broadway’s history from small-town North Carolina to winning the Bayou Classic on one of the world’s largest stages.
The toast was followed by a tribute to both men from Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Robert Dixon, who honored Pannell and Broadway for their outstanding leadership at Grambling.
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