Ferrum, VA, February 25, 2021 — During the next Rocky Mount Town Council meeting on March 8, 2021, the council members will be decked out in either black and gold, or blue and gold.
That’s because 2014 Ferrum College graduate and Rocky Mount Town Council member Tyler Lee and 1995 Emory & Henry graduate and Rocky Mount Vice Mayor Jon Snead have entered into a friendly wager regarding this Friday’s Crooked Road Classic football game between Ferrum and E&H.
Should the Ferrum Panthers win the game, which begins at 7 p.m. on Friday, February 26, town council members will wear Ferrum’s black and gold colors during the next meeting. Should the E&H Wasps prevail, the council will dress in E&H’s blue and gold.
“I really don’t want to wear blue and gold because I bleed black and gold, with a hint of Methodist red,” said Lee. “It is one of my goals as a council member to have Ferrum College and the town [of Rocky Mount] grow as partners to further students and the community. I can’t wait for Franklin County and Rocky Mount to host more ODAC and NCAA D3 championships in the near future.”
“I am ecstatic that the teams are ready for the gridiron. I’ve had the pleasure to boast the record of this rivalry since my graduation from E&H in 1995 and I’m sure the Rocky Mount Town Council will be decked out in blue and gold for our March meeting,” said Snead. “Is this a classic ‘age versus youth’ battle between Tyler and myself? You betcha. Go E&H!”
The two Rocky Mount officials are rivals, but their rivalry is absolutely friendly, with Snead remarking that Lee is “a great guy and I’m glad to see such a devotion to public service in such a young person.”
Lee agreed, noting that “Jon and I have been close colleagues for a while now, and being able to serve the best town with a true friend is awesome.”
After COVID-19 forced Ferrum College to postpone its spring and fall sports, Ferrum athletics was able to return to competition on January 12, 2021 when the men’s basketball team competed against William Peace University.
To continue support for the College’s student-athletes, alumni and fans were invited to virtually sell out Adams Stadium on campus beginning on February 15, with every $10 counting as one ticket sold. The challenge ends at game time on February 26, and the gifts support Ferrum’s general athletics or the donor’s favorite team, if designated. Visit the Ferrum College website to make a gift.
Although spectators will be limited for the game according to guidelines of the Old Dominion Athletic Conference, fans can watch the livestreamed game on the Ferrum College Athletics web page.
Photograph from Karen Dillon, The Franklin News-Post and Smith Mountain Laker magazine
Ferrum College Adams Stadium. Image by Stephen “West” Nuttycombe ’19.
After COVID-19 forced Ferrum College to postpone its spring and fall sports, Ferrum athletics was finally able to return to competition on January 12, 2021 when the men’s basketball team competed against William Peace University. Now the College is offering an opportunity to come together to support the Panthers this year.
Beginning Monday, February 15 and continuing through Friday, February 26, alumni and fans are invited to virtually sell out Adams Stadium with a gift to support the Ferrum College general athletics fund or their favorite athletic team(s). Every $10 will count as one ticket sold. See packages and purchase tickets here. The challenge will end at 7 p.m. on February 26, when the Ferrum College football team competes against Emory & Henry in this year’s Crooked Road Classic.
Prior to the game, follow Ferrum College’s social media pages beginning at 3 p.m. for a virtual pep rally featuring special guests and notable alumni. Alumni and fans are also invited to join in the fun by wearing their favorite Ferrum gear and posting a photo or video on social media to cheer on the Panthers.
Per guidelines handed down by the Old Dominion Athletic Conference, spectators will be limited for the February 26 game against Emory & Henry. Learn more about Ferrum College’s policy regarding spectators at this spring’s sporting events in Athletic Director John Sutyak’s video message.
