Wednesday Bulldog Update - 11/9/16
November 09, 2016
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In over 30 years calling myself a Bulldog, I've often considered what it would be like to lead Mississippi State Athletics, and as I sit in this chair now, I am overwhelmed by the humility and graciousness that comes with this opportunity. As a student-athlete and then a coach here, I learned how important this University is to so many thousands of people. In those years, I discovered how deep the love and passion for Bulldog athletics run, and I take it as a tremendous responsibility to honor the care and loyalty each of you have for Mississippi State.
This is an opportunity I cherish and I am overwhelmingly grateful for the support you've shown me as a member of our Maroon and White family ever since I first stepped foot on this campus to play baseball for Ron Polk. Just as I wouldn't be who I am without all of you, I know without a doubt that Mississippi State would not be who it is without the incredible people who support our school every day. You are what makes this place so special to so many people, from coaches to student-athletes, alumni to children and administrators to fans.
In the days since it was announced that I would take over as MSU's newest Director of Athletics, countless numbers of people have reached out to offer their congratulations and well-wishes, and many of them have asked me the same question: how can I help? My answer to them is the same as it is to all of you who care so much for MSU: join The Bulldog Club. The most important thing you can do is also one of the easiest. The Bulldog Club is where we fund scholarships for our student-athletes, where we find the resources for our incredible facilities and where the day-to-day lives of our coaches, players and staffs are able to find a means.
You may not be able to sacrifice much, or maybe you just never knew the proper outlet to give, but when we fill The Hump with 10,000, The Dude with 15,000 and Davis Wade Stadium with 60,000, we should all be members of The Bulldog Club, the lifeblood of Mississippi State Athletics.
Again, thank you to everyone for your support and for the incredible honor and opportunity to serve you as Athletic Director. I'm thrilled for the future and I can't wait to see what we build together.
WELCOME TO NEW BULLDOGS ON SIGNING DAY
As we look to our future, it's the ideal time to greet our newest Bulldogs as young men and women across the country are officially joining our programs throughout the day with National Signing Day underway for many of our sports. We are all – coaches and fans alike – excited to welcome you to the Bulldog family. You are coming to a place where you will be cheered on in every moment, good or bad, by the best fans in the country.
There is a long tradition of success for Bulldog athletes in both the competitive and academic fields. This is a place where you will be trained for accomplishment in arenas of the professional and athletic variety alike. We're pleased to welcome you and even more excited to see what heights you will reach.
BASKETBALL SEASONS OPEN THIS WEEKEND
Coaches Howland and Schaefer, in addition to welcoming their newest signees this week, are opening their highly-anticipated basketball seasons this weekend. I hope all of you will join us in Humphrey Coliseum on Friday at 7 p.m. to support our men's team as they tip off against Norfolk State. The talent on this young squad is clear and it is very apparent that this will be a fun group to watch not just this season, but over the coming years as they grow and develop together.
Meanwhile, Coach Schaefer and his Top-10 ladies, coming off the best season in program history, open their season in a highly-competitive tournament in Maine and we wish them luck against Villanova at 6 p.m. on Friday. Those in the southern half of the state, please make plans to support the Bulldogs next Wednesday in Biloxi as we play Tulane at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum at 7 p.m. Second, I want all who are able to pack out The Hump the following Sunday for our home-opener against Texas on November 20. It will be one of the biggest non-conference matchups of the season in college basketball and we want to see 10,000 in Humphrey Coliseum to cheer on our Bulldogs.
For those who have not yet done so, tickets to see our men's and women's teams this year are available at www.hailstate.com/tickets.
WELCOME COACH CANNIZARO AS NEW COACH OF BULLDOG BASEBALL
When I told our baseball team that I had accepted the job as athletic director, I assured them that they wouldn't get a new coach as good as John Cohen – they would get someone better. With Andy Cannizaro, I believe we have kept that promise for our team and our fans by hiring one of the best young coaches in the country.
When it became apparent to me that I had a chance at this opportunity, I knew I needed to be prepared to hire someone great to lead our program. I have developed a deep respect for Coach Cannizaro as I've interacted with him on the recruiting trail the last couple years, and as I looked through the staffs of every program in college baseball, Andy continued to stand out. I am confident in his abilities and in his future as our baseball coach, and I am excited to welcome he and his family to MSU.
I told our team that Coach Cannizaro is the man who will lead us to our first National Championship. When he does, I'll be right here watching and cheering for him and for Bulldogs everywhere.
We appreciate what you do for Mississippi State Athletics and want to encourage you to get others involved. There are three things you can do to help the athletic department at Mississippi State reach its desired goals –
1. Buy Season Tickets
2. Financially Support the Bulldog Club
3. Get Others To Do The Same
Thanks for taking the time to read this Update.
Hail State!
John Cohen
Director of Athletics
