A Modern-Day Battlefront
Our Founders' Story
We, the founders of Tribal Connections, share a powerful bond forged on the playing fields and courts of Tulane University. Harold Sylvester, who broke barriers as Tulane's first Black scholarship athlete in basketball; Carmen "HOF" Jones, whose excellence revolutionized women's sports culture; and myself, who arrived as a 17-year-old from small-town Louisiana to play football under the legendary Coach Bennie Ellender. Our paths, though different, converged through athletics, where we learned that true leadership grows from shared struggle and collective triumph.
The Spirit of the Battlefront
In New Orleans, where our stories took root, there's a sacred tradition embodied in the Wild Tchoupitoulas' anthem "Meet De Boys on the Battlefront." The 1976 recording,1 featuring the Neville Brothers backing their uncle Big Chief Jolly, speaks to something we deeply understand as athletes: the power of ritualized competition to forge lasting bonds. Just as Mardi Gras Indians meet on their metaphorical battlefront—competing through the artistry of their suits, the power of their songs, and the pride of their traditions—athletes meet on fields and courts that become their own sacred grounds.
The song's heritage traces back to the Black carnival organizations who honored the Native American tribes that sheltered escaped enslaved Africans, creating a tradition of resistance, pride, and community celebration that continues today. This spirit of cultural preservation through active participation mirrors our own mission at Tribal Connections.
From Competition to Community
Sports, like the traditions of the Mardi Gras Indians, creates a unique alchemy: competitors become family. Whether friend or foe during game time, you become brothers and sisters forever, united in a common struggle—sometimes in the glory of victory, other times in just surviving. Through the fog of time and the advancement of wisdom, old rivalries fade, and what remains is the unshakeable bond of shared experience.
The Power of Our Stories
Sharing these stories becomes an act of emotional catharsis, not just for us as storytellers, but for those who recognize their own journeys in our narratives. Each story we tell—whether about breaking racial barriers, transforming women's athletics, or finding one's path from small-town Louisiana to the bigger stage—carries echoes of larger truths about perseverance, community, and transformation.
Our Mission Forward
Through Tribal Connections, we're creating a space where these stories can live and breathe, where the lessons learned on athletic fields can illuminate paths forward in other areas of life. Like the Wild Tchoupitoulas preserving their cultural heritage through music and performance, we're preserving and sharing the wisdom gained through sports and competition.
We invite you to join us at this modern-day battlefront—not a place of conflict, but a gathering ground where stories meet, where traditions are honored, and where communities are built, one story at a time.
Which Doctor
Shut up and Dribble
Coach Lang was hit hard this week with the shut up and dribble2 cliche after wearing a Kamala Harris shirt to her first game as head coach of the Tulane women's basketball team. This became a national news story.34 The game occurred after the election and clearly wasn't an effort to influence voters.
"It was not intentional on my part to offend anyone with my attire last night. My intent was to show appreciation for a woman I admire beyond a political stance or party. I understand and respect university policy and I will strictly adhere to it in the future." Ashley Langford
Ashley is a wonderful person and a fantastic coach, let's treat her as such.
College Football Playoff RankingsTop 25
Attended my 45th reunion and on Saturday watched a 52-6 dominating homecoming win. We are on the way to the playoffs!
Celebrating Veterans Day
Monday, Americans celebrated Veterans Day. We honored those who served, but our true commitment must extend far beyond November 11th. While greetings, parades and ceremonies beautifully recognize sacrifice, real gratitude means ensuring every veteran has access to quality healthcare, mental health support, housing assistance, and career opportunities they've earned through service.
Veterans, like my late father, faced extraordinary challenges defending our nation; and many face equal challenges, as he did, when they return home. Familiar with Double V from WWII?5
Let’s stand by them, let's turn "Thank you for your service" from a phrase into action. Let's renew our national promise: to care for those who bore the battle, safeguarding their wellbeing with the same dedication they showed in safeguarding our freedom.
Meet De Boys on the Battlefront on Spotify