Wednesday Bulldog Update - 4/27/16
April 27, 2016
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It's getting heady around here, Bulldog fans. I'm sure you're all aware (and proud) of the great season the MSU baseball team is putting together. Currently holding the nation's No. 3 ranking, the Diamond Dogs are heading into the stretch run of the regular season after shutting out Ole Miss, 2-0, last night in Pearl in front of a capacity crowd.
But baseball isn't the only nationally-ranked Maroon and White team on campus this spring. In fact, there are five spring sports currently ranked in the Top 25. Both Bulldog women's (No. 14) and men's (No. 15) track and field programs are among the country's elite, as is women's tennis (No. 21) and men's tennis (No. 22).
With the win last night, Coach Cohen's club improved their record to 3-1 over Ole Miss this season after our series victory in Starkville several weeks ago. More important than the rivalry was the continued boosting of our RPI and overall season record, as every major poll has our Bulldogs in the Top 10 entering the home stretch of the regular season. There is still a long way to go, many games to be played and much competing to be done, but we certainly all have our fingers crossed that we'll be hosting an NCAA Regional when the postseason rolls around.
ROAD DAWGS GOING STRONG
The annual Road Dawgs tour features some of our staff's favorite events of the year, giving us the chance to visit with Bulldogs around the southeast and spread MSU cheer. A big thank you to the Alumni Association and our local chapters for helping put these events on.
Unfortunately, NCAA and SEC meetings have prevented me from making most of this year's stops, but I'm told Dan Mullen, Vic Schaefer, Ben Howland and others have been crowd pleasers with the Bulldog faithful. The tour has had five great meetings this week. Our final two stops will come on May 3 when we have lunch in Chattanooga and dinner in Atlanta. To those who have already attended Road Dawgs, we thank you.
TENNIS TEAMS AWAIT NCAA DRAWS
After last weekend's SEC Tournament, our Top 25 men's and women's tennis teams now wait until Tuesday, May 3, to find out their postseason destinations. For those wanting to follow along, the women's NCAA selection show will air at 4 p.m. CT that day on NCAA.com, followed by the men's selection show at 4:30. Coach Greenan's ladies are up to No. 21 in the country (second-best in program history) after an SEC Championship quarterfinal showing this past weekend, while Coach Roberts' men are at a season-best No. 22 following their appearance in the semifinals of the SEC Tourney over the weekend.
Our tennis programs have continued to prove they are among the nation's best and I am quite proud of their accomplishments so far this season. I know you will all join me in cheering them on as the NCAA Tournament begins in mid-May.
BULLDOGS LAUDED FOR GIVING BACK
We don't spend near enough time patting our students on the back for what they accomplish off the field, but I'd be remiss if I didn't give a big Hail State to the Student M-Club for being named "Volunteer Organization of the Year" on the MSU campus. The Maroon Volunteer Center, which organizes community involvement for our entire campus, also recognized our Bulldog student-athletes with the Community Service Excellence Award.
MSU student-athletes collectively give thousands of hours each year giving back to Starkville, the Golden Triangle and our entire state. Just another example of our young people making those of us who love MSU proud!
WRAPPING UP THIS WEEK'S EMAIL IN MAROON AND WHITE
- For those of you wanting to check out our highly-ranked track and field teams, you'll have the chance to do so this Saturday when they host the annual MSU Invitational. Events will take place all day at the Mike Sanders Track and Field Complex, so come out and join us.
- I also hope you'll join us Friday-Sunday as our softball team hosts a three-game set with conference foe Missouri, playing Friday at 6 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and Sunday 3:30 p.m.
- And finally, all of us at MSU wish good luck to our Bulldogs in the NFL Draft this weekend. Our goal here is to help prepare student-athletes for life after college, and we are thrilled to watch as our guys move on to the highest level in their field. We're going to miss all of these young men as they head to the NFL. In case you haven't seen it, make sure to take a few minutes to watch our video goodbye and thank you to Dak Prescott put together by Hail State Productions,
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!
Scott Stricklin
