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Yolanda: This is Soul Sessions, conversations on culture from Jackson, Mississippi. I'm your guest host, Yolanda Clay-Moore, bringing you a look at the people, places and events that make us the City With Soul and on today's show Tamie Germany, co-owner of the Mississippi Raiders professional arena football team. Tamie is excited to bring the fastest game on turf to Jackson, Mississippi, the City With Soul. They'll kick off their season, March 26 at the Mississippi Coliseum.

Tamie, how are you doing today?

Tamie: I'm doing wonderfully well, Yolanda. Thanks for asking.

Yolanda: So I know just a little bit about you, but if you can just give us a little description about yourself and your relationship with the Mississippi Raiders.

Tamie: Well, first and foremost, I am born and raised in Topeka, Kansas. I've spent my entire life in Kansas. I'm a graduate of Upper Iowa University. I have my bachelors in business administration with a minor in human services. I have one daughter and two sons.

I've been married just a little over a year and a half. And actually I married into the vision of the Mississippi Raiders. Becoming a co-owner of the Mississippi Raiders means that I love football. I had never experienced arena football. So this is something that is new and exciting and I just can't wait.

Yolanda: Now I know that you have a very big event coming up on March 26. So tell us a little about that, what people can expect?

Tamie: Well, if you love fast-paced sporting events of any type, the Mississippi Raiders has a show that they are looking forward to put on against the Tampa Bay Cyclones. It's going to be fast-paced action, nonstop from start to finish. There's going to be crowd participation. There's going to be music. I mean, whatever you can think of, just think outside the box and know that Mississippi Raiders plan on doing just that.

Yolanda: So we can expect some family interaction, entertainment, good, safe fun.

Tamie: Yes, ma'am, most definitely. Our motto is first and foremost, faith, family, football and fun.

Yolanda: And how does arena football differ from what we're used to?

Tamie: Arena football is played on a 50 yard line, 60 yards total because there's five yard end zones on both ends of the football. Instead of 11 man team, it's a eight man team. And so it's a high scoring game because it's fast paced and it's just excitement. It's played inside of a wall versus being played outdoors on a field. The wall is the out of bounds. And so if a player should go over the wall, throw the player back, but keep the football.

Yolanda: Oh my! Well, that is a little bit different from what we used to!

Tamie: Yes ma'am.

Yolanda: Sounds like something really, really fun to see and experience. So I can't wait for March 26th to participate in all those activities. I know that we had a very special signing day this past Sunday. Saw a lot of families and loved ones. This was a very big day for those families. Tell us a little about that.

Tamie: It was quite an experience. I see all these guys that have a desire to play football and just to be able to afford them the opportunity was a very warm feeling. Just being able to give them the opportunity to continue polishing their craft in hopes of getting to the next level, which is the NFL. We're just one step down from the NFL. And so just knowing that we've made it possible for these 30 individuals. We're teaching young guys that there's a sense of responsibility, not just in playing football, but to yourself. And so we are holding them accountable. We're affording an opportunity that maybe only can come along once in a lifetime and you've got to learn to take advantage of it. So it was a good day. It was really a good day.

Yolanda: Why Jackson? I know that you derived from Hattiesburg originally. So why Jackson?

Tamie: Being’s that the league, which is the American Indoor Football Alliance, they have a standard of play when it comes to arena football. And so that meant that the arena in which we played in in Hattiesburg did not hold up to those standards. And so that set us out in search of a new home. And we went down on the Gulf Coast and we looked at the Biloxi Coliseum and I just didn't get that home family feel. And so my husband suggested, well, hey, let's go up to Jackson. So when we walked into the arena at the Mississippi Coliseum, it was home. I felt it through and through. So that's why we chose Jackson.

Yolanda: Now I know you haven't been here long, but what has your experience been like in Jackson? What are some things that you have experienced in Jackson that you would recommend to our listeners?

Tamie: Jackson is a hidden gem. There is so much going on in Jackson. To visit Jackson I have found museums beyond my wildest imagination. I mean, from the art museum to the Civil Rights museum, to the Medgar & Myrlie Evers museum or their national home. The Sports Hall of Fame museum, I could spend all day in that place. And so it's been exciting going downtown. I love old buildings. And yesterday I had the opportunity to be in city hall and just the history of city hall. And then to stand in that place, knowing that my ancestors helped to raise that building over 150 years ago, that was such a proud moment for me just being on their backs to say, hey, my people helped raise this building. And so it's just so much. I mean, I could go on and on and on. And I know we don't have a whole lot of time, but Mississippi is where it's at.

Yolanda: Well, let me just ask you. What about the food?

Tamie: Oh girl. Let's not even talk about food. I've been trying to lose weight since I have gotten here.

Yolanda: I'm so sorry, but you're in the wrong place!

Tamie: I understand. Now when they say the south has the highest rate of obesity, I can understand why. I really can. But the food. Oh my goodness. I had a chance to go to the Mayflower downtown with you and that mom and pop restaurant brought back memories from home. And then I-

Yolanda: Yes. And that's one of our oldest restaurants in the city.

Tamie: Yeah. And I could feel just the love, the love that goes into being of service to people. I could go to that place seven days a week. I've had the Iron Horse Grill, the best shrimp and grits I've ever put in my mouth. And I thought I got that in Atlanta, Georgia. But no, that's right here in Jackson, Mississippi. Stamps Burgers, Hal and Mal’s, Sal and Mookie's. I'm telling you. The list goes on and on.

Yolanda: Before we conclude, just tell me what makes Jackson special?

Tamie: Yolanda, I tell you. I've only been here in Jackson maybe six months. I mean, I've been in Mississippi the last year and a half. So within the last six months, deciding that Jackson would be home for the Raiders, I have been received with so much love from the people and the fact that there's so much rich history here, and the people who are willing to lend a helping hand, to give up their time to help build an organization, basically really from the ground up, because this is really our second year in. But moving here, it's our first year. So basically you start all over again.

I have nothing but great things to say about Jackson, the support of Visit Jackson, the support of the city, different companies and organizations around Jackson. And just again, the people. When you have people that have Southern hospitality, they have big hearts. Their hearts are full of love and it's warm and we've received that. And really, if there was a choice to be made to go somewhere else, they would literally have to take me hollering and screaming all the way because this is home. I am now officially saying I'm a Jacksonian and I will be here till the end of time.

Yolanda: Well, that's awesome. That's awesome to hear. We thank you so much. We'll be sure to put links on how people can attend the games, buy tickets and meet us at the Coliseum March 26 at 7 PM. Thank you so much for being here today.

Tamie: Thank you all so much. I appreciate it.

Yolanda: Soul Sessions is a production of Visit Jackson. Our executive producers are Jonathan Pettus and Ricky Thigpen. To learn more about our organization and mission, head to visitjackson.com. I'm your guest host Yolanda Clay-Moore and you've been listening to Soul Sessions.