Mike Sanders was a member of MSU's 1962 SEC Championship team in track and field.
Black, Sanders To Receive MSU M-Club Awards at Hall of Fame Gala
September 19, 2019 | Football, Athletics, Track & Field
by Bill Martin, Senior Associate Athletic Director/CommunicationsÂ
STARKVILLE -- The Mississippi State M-Club Alumni Association has announced the recipients of two of the association's highest honors that will be handed out Friday night at the MSU Sports Hall of Fame Gala. Stan Black will posthumously receive the Dowsing-Bell Valor Award and Mike W. Sanders will receive the Leo Seal Jr. M-Club Award.Â
The Dowsing-Bell Valor Award was created in 2018 in honor of the school's first African-American student-athletes, Frank Dowsing Jr. and Robert Bell. The two were teammates from 1969-72 as members of the Bulldog football team.
Black, a two-time All-Southeastern Conference safety and 1976 All-American, died on Aug. 24, 2018, in a roadside vehicle accident after stopping to assist a motorist just north of Canton, Mississippi, on Interstate 55. From 1973-76, Black registered 196 tackles and four interceptions while totaling 590 yards in punt and kick returns. He was a key member of the Bulldogs' 1974 Sun Bowl squad that finished 9-3 and ranked No. 17 in the final Associated Press poll.
Black began his career at safety in 1973 and moved to wide receiver in 1974 where he had 14 receptions for 266 yards and four touchdowns. He transitioned back to safety in 1975, a season that saw him earn AP Second-Team All-SEC honors after producing 105 tackles and a team-best three interceptions. Black captured All-America accolades and first-team All-SEC recognition from the AP and UPI as a senior in 1976.
Black's teammate, Larry Brooks, was the inaugural winner of the Dowsing-Bell Award in 2018.
The Leo Seal Jr. M-Club Award was created to honor a former letterman for his or her outstanding loyalty, dedication and service to Mississippi State. In addition, the award recognizes a former letterman who has been successful in business and the community. Leo Seal Jr. received the inaugural award. Sanders is the third former letterman to receive this award, which is not given annually.Â
Sanders, a 1964 MSU graduate, is the former longtime president and CEO of Jimmy Sanders Inc., one of the Mid-South's largest agricultural input supply and distribution businesses. He was the recipient of the MSU National Alumnus of the Year Award in 2014. Sanders has been a board member for the Alumni Foundation, MSU Foundation and Bulldog Club. On April 10, 2015, MSU's track was named in his honor. Â
Sanders began his Bulldog career in 1960 after receiving a dual scholarship for football and track and field. His football career ended due to injuries, but he was able to continue track and field during his time at State. In his sophomore year, he and fellow members of the MSU track and field squad competed in and won the 1962 SEC championship.
The Dowsing-Bell Valor and Leo Seal Jr. M-Club Awards will be given out on a night that five former student-athletes are inducted into the MSU Sports Hall of Fame. The distinguished list includes Dowsing Jr. (1969-72, posthumously), All-SEC running back Michael Haddix (1979-82), All-SEC outfielder Mike Kelley (1976-79), volleyball and softball's Tina (Burcham) Seals (1981-84, 2004-08) and All-SEC men's basketball standout Darryl Wilson (1994-96).
The 2019 MSU Sports Hall of Fame Class will also be recognized at halftime of the Bulldogs' SEC opener against Kentucky on Saturday in Davis Wade Stadium.
For more information on the inductees, click here.
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STARKVILLE -- The Mississippi State M-Club Alumni Association has announced the recipients of two of the association's highest honors that will be handed out Friday night at the MSU Sports Hall of Fame Gala. Stan Black will posthumously receive the Dowsing-Bell Valor Award and Mike W. Sanders will receive the Leo Seal Jr. M-Club Award.Â
The Dowsing-Bell Valor Award was created in 2018 in honor of the school's first African-American student-athletes, Frank Dowsing Jr. and Robert Bell. The two were teammates from 1969-72 as members of the Bulldog football team.
Black, a two-time All-Southeastern Conference safety and 1976 All-American, died on Aug. 24, 2018, in a roadside vehicle accident after stopping to assist a motorist just north of Canton, Mississippi, on Interstate 55. From 1973-76, Black registered 196 tackles and four interceptions while totaling 590 yards in punt and kick returns. He was a key member of the Bulldogs' 1974 Sun Bowl squad that finished 9-3 and ranked No. 17 in the final Associated Press poll.
Black began his career at safety in 1973 and moved to wide receiver in 1974 where he had 14 receptions for 266 yards and four touchdowns. He transitioned back to safety in 1975, a season that saw him earn AP Second-Team All-SEC honors after producing 105 tackles and a team-best three interceptions. Black captured All-America accolades and first-team All-SEC recognition from the AP and UPI as a senior in 1976.
Black's teammate, Larry Brooks, was the inaugural winner of the Dowsing-Bell Award in 2018.
The Leo Seal Jr. M-Club Award was created to honor a former letterman for his or her outstanding loyalty, dedication and service to Mississippi State. In addition, the award recognizes a former letterman who has been successful in business and the community. Leo Seal Jr. received the inaugural award. Sanders is the third former letterman to receive this award, which is not given annually.Â
Sanders, a 1964 MSU graduate, is the former longtime president and CEO of Jimmy Sanders Inc., one of the Mid-South's largest agricultural input supply and distribution businesses. He was the recipient of the MSU National Alumnus of the Year Award in 2014. Sanders has been a board member for the Alumni Foundation, MSU Foundation and Bulldog Club. On April 10, 2015, MSU's track was named in his honor. Â
Sanders began his Bulldog career in 1960 after receiving a dual scholarship for football and track and field. His football career ended due to injuries, but he was able to continue track and field during his time at State. In his sophomore year, he and fellow members of the MSU track and field squad competed in and won the 1962 SEC championship.
The Dowsing-Bell Valor and Leo Seal Jr. M-Club Awards will be given out on a night that five former student-athletes are inducted into the MSU Sports Hall of Fame. The distinguished list includes Dowsing Jr. (1969-72, posthumously), All-SEC running back Michael Haddix (1979-82), All-SEC outfielder Mike Kelley (1976-79), volleyball and softball's Tina (Burcham) Seals (1981-84, 2004-08) and All-SEC men's basketball standout Darryl Wilson (1994-96).
The 2019 MSU Sports Hall of Fame Class will also be recognized at halftime of the Bulldogs' SEC opener against Kentucky on Saturday in Davis Wade Stadium.
For more information on the inductees, click here.
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