University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Fan Feature: Steve Frazier
8/12/2016 12:00:00 AM | Football
HATTIESBURG, Miss. -
Steve Frazier had no idea that when he woke up on the morning of November 13, 1982 he would be on the road to witnessing history.
The Southern Miss football team traveled to Tuscaloosa, to take on the No. 17 Alabama Crimson Tide. The Tide were on a 57-home game win streak with Bear Bryant, one of the most iconic coaches for Alabama, at the helm. A defensive stand helped the Eagles go on to upset the No. 17 Alabama squad 38-29 and Frazier was there to see it all.
Not only did he see it, but he took a piece of history home with him.
“I have a ticket stub signed by Bear himself,” Frazier said.
This Clinton, Miss. native, might not have started his collegiate time at Southern Miss, but made sure he would graduate as a Golden Eagle.
Frazier started his journey at Hinds Community College in the quaint community of Raymond, just outside of Jackson. Throughout his time at Hinds he developed friendships with people from all walks of life. He remembers when they would take trips down to Hattiesburg to catch a game or just to hangout on campus. Those trips served as a catapult for Frazier when it came down to decide where he would continue his education. Naturally, in 1973, he chose the University of Southern Mississippi.
During his time at Southern Miss he would attend as many athletic events as possible with the exception of football. In the years of 1974 and 1975 there were no home games for the Golden Eagle football team, as the Faulkner Field was under construction but when the new Roberts Stadium opened in 1976, you could count on Frazier to be in attendance.
After graduation the desire to never miss a game soon took over, and in 1978, he truly became a die-hard Southern Miss fan with his first season ticket purchase. Over the years he would witness some of the best players in Southern Miss history. When asked who his favorite player was he did not say any of the typical players such as Brett Favre or Ray Guy, but instead the name that came out of his mouth was Jerald Baylis: an undersized and underrated nose guard that wreaked havoc on the o-line, who played a key role in numerous exciting plays. Also a fan of Reggie Collier, Frazier nicknamed the early 80’s, “The Reggie Years.” On the phone you could just tell in his voice the excitement he experienced in those years, watching Collier and Baylis play. Watching them play together to beat Mississippi State and Ole Miss was the tipping point for Frazier. He knew he had become a Golden Eagle for life. Frazier loves to wear his black and gold around the state whenever he travels, just to let others know of his favorite university.
The 2016 Southern Miss football season is right around the corner. When asked if he will be in attendance he simply said, “It is 97.6 miles from my driveway to my parking spot at The Rock; the car knows the way to Hattiesburg.” Needless to say, Frazier and family will be in attendance. This year he will be traveling down to watch the match-up between the Southern Miss and LSU in Baton Rouge on October 15.
Frazier may be a huge Southern Miss football fan, but he is also a big supporter of the other sports and even has season tickets to Men’s Basketball and Baseball as well. To go along with his continued support for the Athletic Department he also is a supporter and member of the Honor Club for the Southern Miss Foundation for the College of Business.
Even though Frazier may not have grown up a Southern Miss fan, he has become a key member in the Golden Eagle family. He has also passed his alumni legacy down to his sons, while another grandson will also be going To The Top soon.
