• By PERRYN KEYS
• Advocate sportswriter
• Published: Nov 13, 2008 - UPDATED: 6:20 a.m.

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The Gulf Coast Classic has been in Mobile, Ala., for 34 years — but until this season, it had simply been a de facto home game for Alabama State, with dates and opponents changing from year to year.

According to the contract signed by Southern, ASU and the Gulf Coast Classic, the teams have a two-year agreement to play in 2008 and ’09, with an option for two more years.

Southern will receive a $250,000 payout this season and $200,000 in 2009. Should all three parties agree to play the extra two seasons, SU would receive $230,000 in 2010 and $250,000 in 2011.

“Anytime you can play at home, you would rather play at home,” SU coach Pete Richardson said. “But ... you have to look at what (the game) does economically — what it brings into the athletic department to play in this game. That’s the primary reason why we moved it, and anytime we can do that, to enhance our athletic department’s resources, we’re going to have to take a look at it.”

Southern also guaranteed the sale of 2,500 tickets this season and 2,750 tickets next season. If the agreement continues, SU will guarantee 3,000 tickets sold in 2010 and 3,500 tickets sold in 2011.

The Gulf Coast Classic arranges special hotel rates for the SU team, coaching staff, marching bands, cheerleaders and “any other administrative staff,” but the university picks up the tab for all its rooms.

“For the past several years, it has been our intent to bring the game full circle, into a true classic — a contest between common opponents on a common date on an annual basis — and we’ve accomplished that,” Mobile Mayor Sam Jones said in a written statement. “We are finally there, and the city of Mobile is looking forward to hosting these two teams and their strong alumni and fan bases.”

Tickets for Saturday’s Gulf Coast Classic are $15 in advance and $20 on game day.

Pregame events for the Gulf Coast Classic will include a 10 a.m. parade, a parking-lot tailgate party with live bands and a parking-lot “Kids Fest” with interactive games, as well as a “Fifth Quarter Battle of the Bands” between Alabama State and Southern.

For information, call the Gulf Coast Classic at (251) 338-2755 or the Southern ticket office at (225) 359-9328.

If you’re heading east Saturday for the Gulf Coast Classic, you should probably bring a sweater and an overcoat.