July 2003 Unofficial MSU Football Skuttle-Butt
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07/26/03 - A few comments made at last night's Regional Bulldog Fanfare in Tupelo, Mississippi, featuring MSU President Dr. Lee, Coach Jackie Sherrill and Coach Sharon Fanning.
Dr. Lee Comments:
Enrollment, Student Achievements, Graduation Achievements, etc.:
MSU led all universities in total enrollment last year with 16,610 students. Southern Miss is 2nd (15,000+), Ole Miss 3rd (13,000+) and Jackson State is 4th (just under 8,000).
Fall 2002: Of MSU's students, 75% were from Mississippi, 47% were women, 18% were African-American. The average ACT score of incoming freshmen was 23.8. There were 35 National Merit Scholars and 2 National Achievement Scholars among the incoming freshmen. MSU was 8th in the SEC in National Merit Scholars. The schools under them were South Carolina (32), Auburn (27), Ole Miss (20) and Tennessee (17).
MSU is doing extremely well with freshmen retention, retaining 81%. That is an increase from 76% of 1997. For doing so well, MSU received the national Retention Excellence Award (1 of 9 colleges in nation to receive this award).
MSU was 61st in awarding bachelor's degrees to African-American in FY 01-02. MSU was 37th among historically white institutions. MSU was also 7th in awarding education degrees to African-Americans.
MSU's six-year graduation rate is up to 52.1%, from 49.6% four years earlier.
VERY IMPORTANT: MSU needs more scholarship funds for average students as well as for exceptional ones. Please help if you can.
MSU is 3rd in the SEC in cost of attending college, approximately $11,800 per year. Only Georgia and Florida cost less. About half is paid by the student (tuition and other fees) and the rest by state funds or non-recurring funds.
Faculty Achievements:
Jan Chambers of Vet Med heads $9 million NIH study of pesticides and human cancer.
CA VS chairholder Mark Horstemeyer aiding board investigating loss of space shuttle Columbia.
Fisheries professor Lou D'Abramo received 2003 Exemplary Service Award of World Aquaculture Society -- eight awarded since 1970.
Sociology professor Matthew Lee won $400,000 NSF Early Career Award to study crime.
Research Contracts and Grants: A little over $120 million in 2003, just a little ahead of 2002. However, due to loss of faculty who took their contracts and grants with them to their new universities, the rate of growth decreased significantly from the previous years.
NCAA Investigation Update:
He expects further NCAA visits and will take appropriate action when any irregularities are confirmed. Should receive another update in about a month.
Buildings Improvements and Additions:
MSU has received commitment of $800,000 for new band hall but still needs $1,500,000. Your help is needed.
State bonds are providing a $5.2 million renovation of Montgomery Hall.
State bonds are providing a $2 million improvement of Blackjack Road.
State bonds provided $3.66 million for the building of the Landscape Architecture facility.
State bonds are providing a $3.5 million improvement to Bowen Hall.
State bonds are providing $9 million to build a Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems facility in the Research Center near MSU. Also, state bonds are providing the $6 million Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems facility in Canton. Both facilities are to help the new Nissan plant in Mississippi.
Colvard Hall will see significant improvements totalling an expected $28 million. $8 million has been approved. $7 million will be requested next year.
McCool Hall, due to a $10 million donation by an anonymous donor, will be expanded and renovated.
Sharon Fanning Comments:
Quote: "Our guards will be as tough as any in the league."
Expects a Basketball Operations position to be filled soon.
Will sign 4 prospects this coming recruiting season.
Talked about the accomplishments of her team last year and individual players, keying on LaToya Thomas and Tupelo native Tan White.
07/25/03
STARKVILLE, Miss. Mississippi State Director of Athletics Larry Templeton announced Thursday that the Bulldogs' football game with Alabama would be played on Saturday, Nov. 8, as originally scheduled.
A game date change to accommodate an ESPN national telecast was under consideration for the MSU-Alabama game. No game time was announced for the Bulldog-Crimson Tide kickoff and tickets still remain for the Nov. 8 game.
"Mississippi State, Alabama and the Southeastern Conference seriously reviewed the option of moving the game from Saturday to Thursday in good faith with our television partner ESPN," Templeton said. "One of our other television partners, CBS, who has the right to retain games for its inventory, determined this afternoon that it would like the game to remain on Nov. 8. There has been no commitment to any television broadcast at this time, but Mississippi State did not wish to continue the date change timetable any further."
Mississippi State's home opener against Oregon, Saturday, Aug. 30, has been selected by cable network ESPN2 for a national telecast. The game will kick off at 8 p.m. CT.
In other football schedule related matters, MSU's game at Tulane, Saturday, Sept. 13, will be played in the Superdome at 7 p.m. CT. The Green Wave is playing two home games, not to include the Bulldogs, at on-campus Tad Gormley Field. State's game at Houston, Saturday, Sept. 20, will begin at 7 p.m. CT, and will be played at John O'Quinn Field at Robertson Stadium on the UH campus.
Source: MSU Media Relations
07/23/03 - Dustin and Jordin Lindsey update.
This dynamic duo from Davidson High School in Mobile, Alabama have received their 2nd SEC offer, Auburn. With that offer, they now have scholarship offers from Mississippi State, Auburn, Louisville and Middle Tennessee State. Other schools showing high interest are Florida State, Clemson, Ole Miss and Alabama.
More football news:
Brett Wilcutt, a 6-0, 180-pound freshman quarterback/defensive back from Bartlett HS, is walking on at State this season.
07/22/03
The University of Houston has reserved a specific parking lot for the MSU Rolling Bulldogs and their friends to park on campus. The price is $25 per RV and $5 per car. The lot is 16D and is available after 3:00 p.m. on Friday. Reservations can be made through Keith Winfield until September 2 after which all of the monies must be sent to the University of Houston. The lot is not too far from the stadium, about the distance from the Sanderson Recreation Center to Davis Wade Stadium. Anyone who is interested in reserving a spot may call or email Keith Winfield at 662-323-9071 or kwinfield@wwscpa.com.
07/21/03 - Here is a list of several upcoming Bulldog Family Celebrations in Greenwood, Tupelo and Biloxi.
The Leflore-Carroll Chapter of the Mississippi State University Alumni Association invites you to the:
The Leflore-Carroll Counties Bulldog Family Celebration
Featuring:
Offensive Coordinator Morris Watts
Defensive Line Coach John Blake
When: Wednesday, July 23rd
Where: Greenwood Civic Center, Greenwood, MS
Time: Social 6:00 p.m., Program & Dinner 7:00 p.m.
Tickets: $10 adults and $5 children
Meal: Fish Fry.
Bring the kids to see Bully and cheerleaders.
You may purchase tickets from Jim Quinn at Planters Bank on Howard Street or Taylor, Powell, Wilson, & Hartford PA on Hwy 82W.
For those who live near Tupelo, Mississippi, don't miss the Regional Bulldog Fanfare this Friday night. Here's the complete information.
The Lee County Chapter of the Mississippi State University Alumni Association invites you to the:
REGIONAL BULLDOG FANFARE
Featuring:
Jackie Sherrill, Head Football Coach
Sharon Fanning, Head Women's Basketball Coach
Dr. Charles Lee, President
Bully, MSU Cheerleaders (Special Kid's Corner, too!)
When: Friday, July 25th
Where: Bancorp South Center, Tupelo, Mississippi
Time: Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
Tickets: $10 per person or $25 per family
Meal: Snack supper served.
For More Information, please contact Beau Lacey at 662-491-1181 or Benton Hilbun, Jr. at 662-680-1280.
Campus Book Mart will have MSU items for sale!
The Jackson-Harrison-Stone Chapter of the Mississippi State University Alumni Association invites you to the:
Jackson-Harrison-Stone Chapters Bulldog Family Celebration
Featuring:
Head Coach Jackie Sherrill
Wide Receiver Coach Guy Holliday
When: Saturday, July 26th
Where: Donal Snyder Community Center, 2520 Pass Road, Biloxi, MS
Time: Social 6:00 p.m., Dinner 6:30, Program 7:00.
Tickets: $12.00 single, $20.00 couple, $8.00 children 5 to 14, and free to children under 5
Meal: Hamburgers, hot dogs, baked beans, potato salad & dessert
Free MSU autographable football to the first 100 children in attendance.
Campus Bookmart will be selling MSU items!
All proceeds will benefit the MSU Gulf Coast alumni scholarships.
Bring the kids to meet Bully and the MSU cheerleaders.
For information or to RSVP please contact: Colleen Johnson 228-214-9626, Terry Collins 228-896-6536, or Dee Smelley 228-872-4991.
07/18/03 - News from last night's Jackson Extravaganza.
There were approximately 1,500 to 2,000 fans in attendance.
MSU President Dr. Lee:
MSU is the third lowest cost institution in the SEC in terms of a pursuit of the bachelor's degree.
Georgia and Florida are lower because their states pay a higher percentage of the cost.
The Board of Trustees approved our request to renovate and expand the business school building, McCool Hall, thanks to a generous donor who has provided 10 millions dollars.
MSU longtime radio announcer Jack Cristil has been bestowed an honorary degree from MSU and is now Dr. Jack Cristil.
MSU and the athletic department have worked a deal to make a financial commitment to help the band build a new band hall.
MSU Athletic Director Larry Templeton:
12 of 16 sports went beyond regular season conference play this past season.
The 260+ student/athletes had the 3rd highest grade point average in MSU history.
MSU will host the 100th meeting between MSU and Ole Miss. He expects ESPN to be on hand to televise the game.
Women's Basketball Coach Sharon Fanning:
Mentioned the highlights of this past season. Also, mentioned the accomplishments of All-American LaToya Thomas.
She couldn't talk about recruiting specifics but did say there are some difference makers coming up in the high school ranks in Mississippi. While MSU fans can't directly help recruit these youngsters, they can help by going to the games.
Baseball Coach Ron Polks:
Signed 13 players with a total of 2.7 scholarships.
Football Coach Jackie Sherrill:
17 days until the first practice. Due to new NCAA rules, all of the players will report at the same time, August 3rd.
Players on hand at the event: Richard Burch, Rico Bennett, Chris McNeil, Odell Bradley, Jerious Norwood, Justin Jenkins, Clarence McDougal, Kamau Jackson, Quinton Culberson, Jason Clark, Otis Riddley, Antonio Hargro, Aries Nelson, Willie Evans, Tee Milons.
All the assistant football coaches and their wives were in attendance except for Curley Hallman and Coach Felker.
He said his players are having the best summer conditioning that they have ever had. He also felt that this freshman class is the best he has seen. About two-thirds of the freshman class are currently on campus.
Wants everyone to wear maroon and white and bring their cowbells for the Oregon game.
He told the fans that he appreciates them believing in the team and showing up for the games. He took the steps to correct the problem. He is totally committed to getting the football team back to competing for championships.
In a very emotional moment for Coach Sherrill, he thanked everybody for their prayers in January. He was referring to when his wife, Peggy, had cancer surgery.
07/17/03 - Football news.
Sophomore running back Jerious Norwood now weighs in at 197. Monte Collins, who came in at 410 last summer, has now lost 60 pounds.
Senior defensive tackle Kamau Jackson and senior tight end Kyle Wiley have missed a few days of training workouts due to having a toe nail removed (Jackson) and a pulled hamstring (Wiley).
07/11/03 - There have been several questions about whether MSU is still able to have partial qualifiers. After next year's recruiting class, the partial qualifier rule will no longer be on the NCAA books.
As for whether MSU will be able to give their two out to any of this year's recruiting class, the answer is no. Due to their academics, none of this year's class meets the guideline needed to be classified as a partial qualifier. Either the signees will be fully qualified or not qualified at all.
Other football news....
I'm pretty certain that all of the veterans are participating in MSU strength coach Mike Grant's second session summer school workout class. Approximately half of the signing class is also in it. About 75 to 80% of the veterans were in his first session class.
07/08/03 - I spoke with MSU signee Deljuan Robinson yesterday. He said he is fine and will be able to play this coming season. He was doing the running and weight drills with no problem at all. Although he wasn't sure what his weight is, he believes he is between 285 and 290.
I also spoke with former MSU football players Dicenzo Miller, Mario Haggan and Kendall Roberson. Mario just got through with his NFL camp and is waiting to go back to camp on July 23rd. Miller is working out to keep in shape for anything that may happen in the future. Roberson is now an assistant coach at Benedict College. Former MSU defensive line coach John Hendrick is the head coach at Benedict.
07/02/03 - Football info.
The word is defensive lineman signee Deljuan Robinson has been cleared to play football this upcoming season. Deljuan had heart surgery last summer and did not attend State this past school year. I'm hearing that he will be attending State during the second summer session.
The football team members have this week off from workouts but can work out on their own.