I Haven’t Seen a Lot of Red and Black

Generally about this time, and even before now, Macon is a sea of Red and Black on game day and leading up to it.

But not this year.

This year, this fall, it’s Orange and Black.

I have to be honest, I have been pleasantly surprised to see how the entire city has embraced the colors of Mercer University. We’re not exactly know for being a sports town. And why would we? After losing countless minor league baseball teams, an arena football team, and I think there were once rumblings of a basketball team- but I’m not sure if they materialized, we really don’t deserve the reputation of being a sports town.

With Atlanta and Athens so close to us, it’s really no small wonder.

But the tide began to turn even last basketball season, when Mercer’s basketball teams turned out sold out games for the A-Sun finals. It was amazing for me, a Mercer student with plenty of friends who are alums, to see many friends who have no apparent ties to Mercer turning out for those games.

Even now for football, many season ticket owners appear to be friends who I assume have no ties to Mercer*(this is simply based on my own observations, I could be incorrect). Stores are running specials for those who bring in their tickets stubs and boutiques are selling out of orange and black apparel. I know of at least one that even sold out and had to order more.

Macon has embraced Mercer Football in a way that while we may have hoped for it to happen- I think it still took many of us off guard.

Today, I get to cover the game  from the sidelines for The Cluster- the Mercer student newspaper. I can’t wait to see what the turnout will be like with the rain predictions. With yet another sold out game, and the UGA game ending before Mercer’s kickoff, I anticipate to see many of you out there.

Go Bears!