ND vs. TSU marks significant arrival of an HBCU at Notre Dame Stadium

 

ST. JOSEPH COUNTY, Ind. - The foundation of Black Greek fraternities and sororities started in the early 1900s on campuses of Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

There's four sororities and five fraternities, each with different hand signals, Greek letters, strolls and steps, but the same mission: community service, brother and sisterhood, and academic achievement.

Members of the Divine 9 include Dr. Martin Luther King Junior, a member of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, and Vice President Kamala Harris, a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority.

As for Omegas, let's start with hall of famers like Michael Jordan, Shaquille O’Neal and Tennessee State Head Coach Eddie George.

The Heisman Trophy winner joined the fraternity in 2020, a graduate chapter in Tennessee, pursuing a dream he had for years.

"I'm very familiar with Omega Psi Phi," George said. "You know, my uncle was a Que, I grew up around Queues. I know what they mean to the community. It stands on manhood, you know, the scholarship. You have to persevere, you uplift things, others behind you, that's the principles that we live on.”

George will lead the Tigers onto the field where former Notre Dame players, who wear the same Greek letters, once shined in the blue and gold, and still represent the purple and gold. Guys like Jalen Elliot, Nicholas Watkins, Devin Studstill and former linebacker Corey Mays.

Mays played for the Irish from 2001 to 2005.

He joined what many consider the world's greatest fraternity during the summer of 2005, right before his senior season, where he racked up 80 tackles, five sacks and three forced fumbles.

When asked what it’s like having a fraternity of brothers in both college football and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Mays said he cherishes being able to connect with so many because of their shared experiences. 

“It's amazing to meet people internationally, all over the world,” Mays said. “You know, you just come across people in the brotherhood and it's just, it goes without saying because they know what you've been through and they know all the trials and tribulations and how you can come together at any point, and just fellowship and, you know, gain a new friend so to speak.”