Jackson State University Jackson State University ( Jackson State , or JSU ) is a historically black university in Jackson , Mississippi , United States . Founded in 1877 in Natchez , Mississippi by the American Baptist Home Mission Society of New York , the Society moved the school to Jackson in 1882 , renaming it Jackson College , and developed its present campus in 1902 . It became a state - supported public institution in 1940 . A member - school of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund , JSU holds an important place in the history of US civil rights . History . Jackson State University started as Natchez Seminary , a private school , under the auspices of the American Baptist Home Mission Society of New York , to educate Mississippi ' s newly freed and underprivileged blacks . Campus . Jackson State University is located in Jackson , the capital city and the cultural , political , geographic and business center of Mississippi . The campus is a campus with 51 academic and administrative buildings . The main campus is located on JR Lynch St between Prentiss and Dalton St . Ayer Hall was constructed in 1903 and is the oldest structure on campus . It was named in honor of the First President and was named to the National Register of Historic Places in 1977 . Green - Gibb Pedestrian Walkway ( Plaza ) was named in honor of those who died in the Jackson State killings . The Walter Payton Health & Wellness Center was constructed in 2006 . Academics . A historically black Doctoral / Research public university , Jackson State educates a diverse student population in a broad range of baccalaureate , m asters and doctoral programs . The learning process is enhanced through experiential learning . Jackson State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools ( SACS ) and is 1 of only 2 Historically Black Colleges and Universities to be classified as a research intensive university with high research activity by The Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education , along with Howard University . JSU colleges include : Student activities . Athletics . Athletic teams are a member of the NCAA Division I - FCS ( Football Championship Subdivision ) Southwestern Athletic Conference , commonly known as the SWAC . All SWAC sports are DI with Football being FCS . Currently , the university fields teams in men ' s and women ' s basketball , baseball , softball , golf , tennis , soccer , and bowling ; women ' s volleyball ; and men ' s football . The university ' s mascot is the Tiger , and the teams are sometimes referred to as the " Blue Bengals . " The Tiger men ' s football team has a heralded history , winning and sharing 16 SWAC titles , including 2007 . Its most famous alumni includes NFL Hall of Famers Lem Barney , Jackie Slater and Walter Payton , and former Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Jimmy Smith . The men ' s golf team has gained notoriety as it has become a SWAC powerhouse and perennial NCAA tournament participant under head coach Eddie Payton , older brother of Walter Payton . JSU ' s well - known rivals include Southern , Alcorn State , Mississippi Valley State , Tennessee State and Texas Southern . Sonic Boom of the South . The Jackson State University Marching Band , “ The Sonic Boom of the South ” is a musical group . The band was first organized in the early 1940s . As early as the mid - 1920s , the University had a well - organized orchestra . The group was given the nickname , “ The Sonic Boom of the South ” by band director Harold J . Haughton , Sr . in 1971 . In 1971 , the majorettes abandoned their batons and became a dance team known as the Prancing J - Settes , also named by Haughton . In 1974 , “ Get Ready , ” an old Motown favorite was selected as the band ’ s theme song . Also , during the mid - 1970s , the “ Tiger Run - On ” was perfected . Created by Haughton , the “ Tiger Run - On ” is a fast , eye - catching shuffle step that blends an adagio step with an up - tempo shuffle ( 200 steps per minute ) , then back to adagio — a “ Sonic Boom ” trademark that brings fans to their feet during halftime performances . Oct 1990 , Under the direction of Dowell Taylor and staff , The Sonic Boom of the South performed in Los Angeles , California for Motown 30 - What ' s Going on . This was the event that set the wheels in motion for the national attention of the Sonic Boom . The J - Settes . Prancing J - Settes ” is the official name of the Jackson State University dance line , an auxiliary group of the Jackson State University Marching Band , “ The Sonic Boom of the South . ” The Prancing J - Settes are currently supervised by Dowell Taylor , current Director of Bands . The Jackson State University Marching Band , “ The Sonic Boom of the South ” is an ensemble of the Department of Music , Dr . Jimmie James , Jr . , Chair . “ The thrill of a thousand eyes , ” were the words spoken by Dr . Jimmie James , Jr . at the onset of the “ Prancing Jaycettes ” in 1971 . Shirley Middleton , a former majorette , initiated the concept of the majorettes abandoning their batons and dancing to popular musical selections . As the majorette sponsor , Shirley Middleton and the majorettes met with Dr . John A . Peoples , the University ’ s sixth president , and requested that they be permitted to “ put down their batons . ” Dr . Peoples agreed and thus legends were born . In 1970 , Middleton assembled 18 majorettes , and their notoriety immediately began to soar in rapid proportions . Their beauty , grace , and poise were astounding and their dance routines to songs such as “ Kool - Aid , ” James Brown ’ s “ Make it Funky , ” and “ Hot Pants , ” were magnificent , unmatched by any other competing groups . The group was initially named the “ Prancing Jaycettes . ” The group ’ s name became official in 1971 . However , in 1982 , the Prancing Jaycette organization officially changed its name to Prancing J - Settes , because of a name conflict with a local organization known as the Jackson Jaycees / Jaycettes . As a trained ballet dancer , Shirley Middleton held the J - Settes to a very high standard of perfection . Also , the late Hollis Pippins , a JSU twirler and a dancer of high performance in his own right , took great pride in providing the J - Settes with excellent choreography . In addition to emphasis on perfecting dance routines , it was completely unacceptable for any J - Sette to display mannerism and stature of anything less than a model citizen . Shirley Middleton served as sponsor of the J - Settes from 1970 - 1975 . In 1975 , Narah Oatis was appointed the sponsor of the J - Settes . Under her leadership , the Prancing J - Settes became nationally renowned . During her reign , J - Sette marching techniques such as the “ Salt and Pepper , ” “ J - Sette Walk , ” “ Strut , ” and “ Tip Toe ” were perfected . The J - Settes consisted of lines of 12 - 16 young ladies who marched in rows affectionately named “ Short and Sassy , ” “ Magnificent Middle , ” or a “ Tall and Tough . ” Mrs . Oatis ' s tenure is best remembered by many for the J - Settes ’ s stellar performance at the 30th Anniversary of Motown in 1990 , the “ Coming to America routine , ” “ Proud Mary , ” and the “ Liturgical dance routine . ” ( “ Coming to America ” and the “ Proud Mary ” routines were both originally performed in 1995 . The “ Liturgical dance routine ” was first performed in 1996 . ) Narah Oatis served as director ( sponsor ) of the Prancing J - Settes for 21 years . She resigned as sponsor of the J - Settes in February 1997 . Student media . Jackson State is home to radio station WJSU - FM which plays jazz , gospel , news and public affairs programming . It also houses a low - powered television station , W23BC . Jackson State also publishes the independent Blue and White Flash weekly student newspaper . Notable alumni . Sports . Currently heach coach of the Phoenix Suns .