Johnson C. Smith University News February 2018 Lumber Company feeds fraternal bonds Around JCSU, people talk about the Lumber Company-but until recently it had little to do with hardwood. The Lumberjack Company, a group of gridiron alumni, are famed for supporting JCSU football and providing some of the best tailgating to be found at the University's Homecoming celebrations. Now, they've expanded their philanthropy to JCSU basketball and the entire athletics department. Morton Copeland '89, a former linebacker, spoke candidly about the group's past and their plans for the future. "We formed a unique bond as teammates that has carried over to this day," Copeland said. Nicknamed in the mid-to-late 1980s, the Lumber Company were so called because of their hard-hitting defense. "We laid the wood to people," Copeland said with a laugh. "We worked hard on the field and when we left, we retained a bond of brotherhood." After graduating, the men regularly came together. The biggest base lived here in Charlotte but members in Florida, South Carolina, Georgia and Virginia and other states came home for Homecoming and CIAA. When they couldn't, they contributed monetarily to fundraisers and events year-round. The tailgating tradition started off simply: a few hamburgers and hotdogs. Some brought grills, then a tent. Tailgating with the Lumber Company became a huge hit, one of the main draws outside of the Homecoming game itself, because they turned no one away. Since JCSU began holding Masterbull Griller contests during Homecoming, the Lumber Company has taken the top spot in the ribs or burgers category every year. Their tent became so popular, they began holding tailgates every year, even at regular season games. "Eventually, we all recognized that we needed to do more to give back to our school and support other sports besides football," Copeland said. "A few members also played basketball, so we decided to support that program." Head Football Coach Stephen Joyner Sr. and Head Basketball Coach Mark Sherrill met with the crew and invited the Lumber Company to JCSU's annual game against St. Augustine's, on Jan. 20, 2018. The initial goal was to feed about 100 people, but the Lumber Company ended up feeding 150 basketball players, cheerleaders, alumni and their families. "The players were happy to have a home-cooked meal, but we just wanted to say thank you," Copeland said. "We love our school and each other and take a great sense of pride in our university. We want the new generations to have the same love, support and experience we did." Luckily it happened to be a recruitment weekend for JCSU Football, so those coaches and their recruits ate as well. "They saw a bunch of old football players tailgating for the basketball team," Copeland said proudly. "For student athletes considering our school, seeing that kind of family unity does make a difference." The Lumber Company is now under the umbrella of the 100 Club. Donations to the 100 Club can be made in the Lumber Company's name, and 100 percent of those gifts support JCSU Athletics. SANDRA M. PHOENIX HBCU Library Alliance Executive Director Atlanta University Center Robert W. Woodruff Library 111 James P. Brawley Drive SW Atlanta, GA 30314 404-978-2118 (office) 404-702-5854 (cell) http://www.hbculibraries.org/ sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org%3cmailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org>> Honor the ancestors, honor the children. Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hbculibraryalliance1/ and Twitter https://twitter.com/HBCULibAlliance Check out "PULSE!" The HBCU Library Alliance's News Source! - https://hbculibraryalliance.wordpress.com/