A celebration of Florida A&M University athletics Spring Festival gathered hundreds of Rattlers and community members for a gospel concert starring Marvin Sapp, J Moss, Tye Tribett and Tallahassee’s very own Royce Lovett.
FAMU director of athletics Milton Overton spoke on the purpose of the event and what the athletics administration team hopes for the festival. The Spring Festival was not only a gift from FAMU athletics, but an investment.
“We wanted to launch our Investing in Champions program. That’s a way for us to generate income to support our athletics,” Overton said. “Committing the performers to come took about $20,000 to $30,000, but we’re generating income off of more than the event itself we are relaunching our program.”
Relaunching the Investing in Champions program will bring consistent revenue for FAMU athletics.
“Our program is a 1.5-million-dollar program. That’s our goal in how much money that we are trying to raise and this is a launching of that campaign,” Milton said. “We wanted to celebrate our student athletes, and you celebrate them by investing in them. That’s what this program is all about.”
Overton hopes that students and faculty continue to show support toward FAMU athletics so the program can be “up to a level that it used to be.” He also wanted to provide students with the opportunity to strengthen their faith and spiritual growth.
“(We wanted) to make sure that souls are saved. We feel like if we have an opportunity to sow into the kingdom of God, that we’ll get great favor back from God,” Overton said.
The goal was definitely reached. Michelle Johnson, second-year business administration student from Dallas, Texas, needed the concert more than ever that afternoon.
“The concert is at an amazing time, especially when there are finals. I actually brought my textbook so that I can get some blessings over my finals, so this is definitely a wonderful thing,” Johnson said.
Many students felt the concert was the perfect way for students to relieve the stress of finals week. Wendall McGahee, fourth-year philosophy and religion student, believed the timing of this event was perfect.
“I hold close to my faith, so anything that allows me to express my relationship with God and draw closer to him in times like this when I’m stressed out and really pressed is always helpful,” McGahee said.
The concert dedicated a few moments to remember the late Prince. A video played on the Jumbotron of Prince performing at the Super Bowl with FAMU’s Marching 100.
Nancy Brooks, first-year physical therapy student from Bradenton, believes that the Prince tribute was very necessary.
“The tribute showed me how phenomenal music at FAMU is. Our Marching 100 played with a legend. The video honored Prince in a special way,” Brooks said.
McGahee fully supported the event, and believed that anyone who missed this event missed experiencing something special.
“If they’re not here, they definitely missed out. Whenever they have another opportunity where we have events like this on campus, never miss them. Take advantage of every one,” McGahee said.
For further information on the Investing in Champions program visit Famuathletics.com.