Wednesday Bulldog Update - 1/13/16
January 13, 2016
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We mentioned last week in this space that spring sports are heating up and as we move forward that becomes more and more evident. Coach Dudley and our track teams kicked off the indoor season on Friday at the Purple Tiger Invite in Baton Rouge, our men's and women's tennis teams begin their seasons this weekend, and now our softball and baseball teams are about to begin preseason practices, as well.
Not only are current Bulldogs getting into action, but future Bulldogs will be coming on board as we close in on National Signing Day and also as we hire new assistants on the football staff. To current Bulldogs we say good luck, and to those who are soon-to-be we offer an early welcome to the family.
Until then, our basketball teams are in high gear with SEC play officially underway (see below). So, as usual, this is a busy time of year for our student-athletes and coaches. And your support of these Bulldogs is always appreciated!
NO. 6 WOMEN'S BASKETBALL ON HOT STREAK
The sixth-ranked Bulldog women's basketball team plays at No. 24 Missouri tomorrow night looking to continue its hot play. The No. 6 ranking is the highest-ever in program history, and the Bulldogs are currently on a very impressive 15-game winning streak at The Hump. In fact, this past weekend, the 5,712 of you who came to watch us beat Arkansas helped make up the sixth-largest crowd in program history, all for a game against an unranked opponent. With home games against Ole Miss next Monday, and nationally ranked South Carolina and Tennessee coming in the next couple weeks, the crowds should only grow.
It's clear from the record crowds that people are taking notice of what the program is doing. If you've not made it to the Hump recently, the weekend of Jan 23-24 offers a great opportunity. That Saturday (1 p.m.), our men's basketball team hosts Ole Miss, while our women welcome No. 2 South Carolina the following afternoon at 4 p.m.
Speaking of the men, make sure to join us in The Hump this Saturday as the Bulldogs, fresh off last night's hard-fought contest in Rupp Arena, host Tennessee at 2:30 p.m. All former basketball players will be recognized pregame as part of our annual reunion, and at halftime we will celebrate the 25th anniversary of Mississippi State's 1991 SEC Championship team. (FYI: a 20th anniversary of the 1996 Final Four Bulldogs takes place next month at the Feb. 27 game against South Carolina).
MULLEN, HUGHES REPRESENTING MSU AND SEC AT NATIONAL LEVEL
Congratulations to Dan Mullen and MSU graduate and former football team captain Jay Hughes for both being selected for prestigious positions. Coach Mullen was one of five head coaches elected to the Board of Trustees of the American Football Coaches Association at the organization's national convention on Tuesday, a sign of the respect he has earned in the world of college football.
For the second year in a row, Jay is one of three from the SEC representing student-athletes at the NCAA Convention, with a vote on proposed governance rule changes under the NCAA's Division I autonomy process. Jay has an incredibly bright future and we are excited to have him represent MSU again.
WRAPPING UP THIS WEEK'S EMAIL IN MAROON AND WHITE
As softball begins preseason practice today, we are closing in on the official opening of the brand new MSU Softball Stadium on February 11 against Georgia Southern. Also, expect a naming announcement for the new facility in the next few days.
Baseball season is nearing, as well, and just yesterday Coach Cohen's club was ranked No. 15 in the country by D1 Baseball, that following junior pitcher Dakota Hudson being named a preseason All-American. It's the second preseason ranking for the Bulldogs, who were tabbed No. 11 earlier by Collegiate Baseball.
Also on Saturday, our women's tennis team opens the season by hosting Alcorn State in a doubleheader starting at 1 p.m. as our Bulldogs seek to build on their NCAA Tournament appearance last season.
And finally, good luck to our Bulldogs on the road as men's tennis competes in the Three Oaks Shootout in Fort Myers and track heads to Nashville for the Vanderbilt Invitational.
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
