News release Public Information Office   SLU 10880   Hammond, LA 70402   phone: 985-549-2341   fax: 985-549-2061 publicinfo@selu.edu     www.selu.edu/news Contact: Christina Chapple Date: 8/27/03   Click on image for publication quality photo BELL-ON-WHEELS TRADITION RETURNS -- Hancock Bank vice president Kirk Boe, left, and Southeastern welder John Coyne get the bell from the South Oak Hancock Bank building ready for transport to campus on Tuesday. The bell will renew a Southeastern football tradition. When the Lions scored on the gridiron, Southeastern cheerleaders would ring a large bell on wheels. The whereabouts of the original bell is unknown, but the bank's generosity will keep the bell-on-wheels football tradition rolling along. BELL-ON-WHEELS TRADITION RESTORED ALONG WITH LION FOOTBALL       HAMMOND -- An old tradition will have a new ring when the Southeastern Louisiana University Lion football team returns to Strawberry Stadium on Saturday.       For years, when a Southeastern team scored on the home gridiron, the university’s cheerleaders would wheel out and ring a large bell.        Exactly what happened to that bell-on-wheels during the 18-year hiatus of the university’s football program is still a mystery. However, thanks to Hancock Bank, Southeastern will again be able to herald touchdowns and field goals with a spirited peal.       Football returns to Southeastern on August 30 when the university kicks off its first season since 1985 with a match against Arkansas-Monticello. The game starts at 7 p.m. with pre-game festivities getting underway in Strawberry Stadium at 6:40 p.m.       Kathy Pittman, director of Alumni Affairs, said she kept hitting dead ends in her search for the original spirit bell. When Hancock Bank Vice President and Division Manager Cindy Shelton heard about Pittman’s fruitless search, she volunteered the bell mounted on the second story balcony of bank’s South Oak Street building.       According to Shelton, the Hancock bell originally belonged to the late W.L. “Buddy” Billups, a Hammond businessman and banker who was an avid Southeastern fan and benefactor. It has been housed at Hancock Bank, formerly Community State Bank, for the past 20 years.        “Mr. Billups always had a special place in his heart for Southeastern – especially Southeastern football,” Shelton said. “We can think of no greater honor than allowing Southeastern to use this bell. Each time it rings, Mr. Billups’ memory will live on.”       Shelton said the bell was brought to the bank from a plantation in Indianola, Miss., in 1972. “It rang daily alerting Mr. Billlups’ friends and business cohorts that lunch was ready,” Shelton said.       “Mr. Billups himself was a true Southeastern tradition,” Pittman said. “Bringing this bell to campus is sentimental because it belonged to Mr. Billups. We’re excited because it will not only bring back memories for fans, but create new ones.       “I’m confident with our great coaches and dedicated players, it will ring often!” she added.       Hancock Bank officials will be on hand to formally present the bell at the August 30 game. Meanwhile, Southeastern welder John Coyne, who helped take the bell down from Hancock and transport it to campus on August 26, will construct a new moving platform so that Southeastern’s bell-on-wheels tradition can keep rolling along.  Return to News Releases