The Jackson State University Tigers will officially call Fondren home soon, at least on Saturdays during football season. Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour signed a bill into law last week giving JSU ownership of the 61 year old facility off State Street. The bill takes effect July 1. Mississippi’s only urban university, located in West Jackson, will take over for present owners, the Mississippi Department of Finance and Administration. The measure is said to be a temporary one while JSU continues to seek the feasibility of building its own stadium on campus.

Excluding JSU’s home football season schedule of six games last year, the stadium hosted a battle of the bands competition and the state high school football championships. It is reported that these two events will continue there and will serve as a form of income for maintenance and renovations needed at the facility.