Jackson State University
Jackson, Mississippi · The dossier: identity, why-here, band, homecoming, deadlines — every fact from the Yard roster.
Jackson State University
Photo: Jackson State campus — via cheerequity.org
Why here — the dossier
- Est. 1877Founded in 1877 — 149 years of history.
- ConferenceCompetes in the SWAC.
- Sonic Boom of the SouthHome of the Sonic Boom of the South, founded 1940.
- Yard legendsAlumni on record: Walter Payton, Lem Barney, Jackie Slater.
Every highlight comes from the Yard roster — nothing invented.
Band spotlight
Sonic Boom of the South
Band founded 1940
The Sonic Boom of the South — SBOTS, 'Da Boom' — is a 300+ member marching band whose identity is the J5 drum majors, the Prancing J-Settes danceline, the 'Get Ready' entrance, the Tiger Run-On, and the Floating JSU halftime formation. Signature moments: Motown's 30th Anniversary (1990), the 2021 Presidential Inauguration Parade, winning the 2016 Honda Battle of the Bands, performing with Usher at Super Bowl LVIII (2024), and marching the 2025 Rose Parade. The band was the first collegiate marching band featured by Great Big Story (2018). It was suspended over hazing allegations in 2019, with prior disciplinary actions in 2007, 2009, and 2015.
From the Yard roster. No videos are shown — none verified official and rights-clean.
Homecoming
Game Oct 17, 2026 vs Florida A&M.
Deadlines are not yet published on the Yard for Jackson State University.
We only post deadlines verified against the school’s own admissions pages — nothing guessed, nothing borrowed. Until then, go straight to the source:
File your FAFSA early — the free federal application lives at studentaid.gov. Filing early keeps every aid option open.
Head to head
Identity only: facts on this page come straight from the Yard roster. Missing fields are omitted, never invented. No logos or brand colors are shown — none verified on file. Letter chips are generic monograms, not school marks.