MOBILE, Ala. — South Alabama cheerleaders, dance team members and the pep band will no longer lead the crowd in the longtime “USA, South In Your Mouth” chant following made Jaguar free throws, under a decision by Athletic Director Joel Erdmann.
Erdmann cited the university’s intent to move away from statements that could be considered “politically incorrect.”
A Decade-Old Tradition
The chant has been a fixture at the Mitchell Center for more than a decade. It has also been heard at Sun Belt Conference tournaments, during nationally televised South Alabama games on ESPN and during regional telecasts on Comcast SportsNet.
The university has taken the position that the chant is not a proper representation of South Alabama spirit.
Student Section Affected
The USA Outlaws, a student spirit group, were told by South Alabama marketing director Travis Toth to consider new strategies and chants. The university also rejected the group’s latest T-shirt design because the slogan appeared on the back.
Fans and students have voiced opposition to the change.
“We’ve been asked to move on but we can’t make anyone change overnight,” said Madison Salter, a representative of the Outlaws.
It has not been announced what chant the cheerleaders will lead in its place.
South Alabama competes in the Sun Belt Conference and plays its home basketball games at the Mitchell Center.
