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: Janelle Woolley Date: 4/1/03   Click on image for publication quality photo THE LADIES OF THE GREEN AND GOLD – Southeastern Louisiana University students in “The Ladies of the Green and Gold,” a group formed to act as official hostesses for Lion football, are, from left, front, Kira Calhoun, Albany; Christen James, Reserve; Selena Landry, Covington; Bobbi Corken, Walker (treasurer); Jovanda Hall, New Orleans (president); Tarri Fuller, Shreveport, vice president; Ashleigh Plauche, Ponchatoula (secretary); Aimee Holcomb, Joplin, Mo.; Lacey Shumaker, Slidell; Cori Crochet, Slidell; back, Veda Abene (sponsor), Amber Thomas, Pine (sponsor); Candice Sanders, Slidell; Jodi Conrad, Amite; Tiffany Plaisance, Cut Off; Anne Belanger, Houma; Bobbi Duncan, Hammond; Takara Butler, Baton Rouge; Tyra Louis, Baton Rouge; Renee Whiting; New Orleans; Alaina Lea, Kentwood; Natalie Crump, Baton Rouge. Not shown, Dianne Donald, Mandeville; Jennifer Notariano, Ponchatoula.      LADIES OF THE GREEN AND GOLD SPONSOR SPRING GAME PEP RALLY       HAMMOND -- With the return of Southeastern Louisiana University football in the fall of 2003, the Ladies of the Green and Gold are showing their true colors.       Among their many duties, this group of 22 young women, who serve as the official hostesses for Southeastern’s football program, are planning a pep rally at 4:30 p.m. before the 7 p.m. Lions spring “Green and Gold” scrimmage on Thursday, April 10.       The pep rally, scheduled for the War Memorial Student Union, will feature football head coach Hal Mumme, his staff and players; Miss Southeastern Jessica Soileau, and special “spirit” giveaways.        Though the Ladies have many responsibilities, their primary goal is to offer their guidance, friendship, and support to prospective football recruits and their families.       The idea of tapping female students as football hostesses originated during the tenure of former Lions football head coach Oscar Lofton. Veda Abene, now assistant to the Dean of Continuing Education, was the sponsor for the Ladies of the Green and Gold at that time and shares that same duty today with Master of Business Administration student Amber Thomas, a graduate assistant to Coach Hal Mumme.       “Our symbol,” said Thomas, “is the yellow rose, which stands for friendship.” The members  “were picked based on their campus involvement, enthusiasm, and overall appearance,” she said.       Thomas  said advantages of being a Lady of the Green and Gold include getting to attend home football games, having textbook fees waived, and the opportunity to meet and work with recruits.  The young women also get to greet the recruits at all home games and accompany them and their families during recruiting weekends.        Abene said the response to the Ladies from recruits and their families has been excellent.  “They add more of a personal touch,” she said. Head coach Hal Mumme has added his praise, too. “Recruiting went well and they were a major part of it,” said Mumme.       “The families of the recruits really like the girls because they are enthusiastic and friendly. They have been to other universities where the reception was not so great,” said Thomas.       To the girls, being a hostess is more than a duty; it’s a way to have fun but also to support the recruits and their families. “One of the girls took the little sister of one of the recruits and basically just hung out with her for a day,” said Thomas.       The Ladies want their membership to continue to grow and they want to become visible on Southeastern’s campus and in the community. The group has a full schedule this fall with duties that include hosting pep rallies, conducting charity fund raisers, assisting at coaching clinics and camps, as well as appearing regularly on Coach Mumme’s televised coaching show.       “I’m excited to be a part of the history of bringing football back to Southeastern,” said senior elementary education major Selena Landry of Covington.       Members of the Ladies of the Green and Gold are Thomas; Landry; Anne Belanger of Houma; Takara Butler, Natalie Crump, and Tyra Louis of Baton Rouge; Kira Calhoun of Albany; Jodi Conrad of Amite; Bobbi Corken of Walker, treasurer; Cori Crochet, Candice Sanders, and Lacey Shumaker of Slidell; and Dianne Donald of Mandeville.       Other members include Bobbi Duncan of Hammond; Tarri Fuller of Shreveport, vice president; Jovanda Hall, president, and Renee Whiting of New Orleans; Aimee Holcomb of Joplin, Missouri; Christen James of Reserve; Alaina Lea of Kentwood; Jennifer Notariano and Ashleigh Plauche of Ponchatoula, secretary; and Tiffany Plaisance of Cut Off.       For more information on the Ladies of the Green and Gold, contact Abene at 985-549-2301. Return to News Releases