Celebrating the Champs
July 02, 2021 | Baseball, Joel Coleman
Diamond Dawgs cap off first-ever national title with parade and championship ceremony – Story presented by Farm Bureau
STARKVILLE – Many great Maroon Fridays have come and gone, but there's never been one like this. This one was generations in the making.
Two days after Mississippi State claimed its first-ever national championship, the city of Starkville continued its ongoing party with a parade and celebration to honor the Bulldogs. Though nearly 48 hours had passed since the dogpile in Omaha, the joy still overflowed.
"Do y'all mind if I have a quick wardrobe change real quick here?" MSU athletic director John Cohen said at the podium during the festivities at Dudy Noble Field.
Cohen, a former Bulldog player and head coach himself of course, then stepped to the side and slipped on a shirt and cap that celebrated the national title.
The cowbells clanged. The fans roared in approval. It was a scene that repeated itself throughout the evening. How could it not? Everywhere fans looked, there was a reminder staring them right back in the face that the Mississippi State Bulldogs indeed had won it all.
There were the players, sitting atop fire trucks, holding a national title banner as they paraded through the Cotton District towards the ballpark. Inside The Dude, a newly-raised championship flag waved beside the scoreboard. On the centerfield wall, there was a decal commemorating the accomplishment.
For so many, all this has seemed like a dream since Wednesday night. On Friday though, the sinking in had begun.
"Everybody keeps asking me, 'Coach, has it hit yet?'" head coach Chris Lemonis said when speaking to the crowd. "It's been pretty surreal and we've been so busy, flying back and then getting here. Then when they lifted us up on those fire trucks [for the parade], it finally hit me today that we're the national champions."
The marinating continued for Lemonis, his team and Bulldogs everywhere throughout the festivities. Starkville Mayor Lynn Spruill proclaimed June 30, 2021, as Diamond Dawg Day in the city.
"To be remembered and celebrated henceforth by all Starkvillians, MSU alumni and everyone who loves maroon and white," Spruill added.
Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves issued a similar proclamation for the totality of the Magnolia State.
Of course all of this celebrating wouldn't have been possible if not for the players themselves. Veterans Riley Self and Tanner Allen spoke on behalf of the State roster and with the national championship trophy beside them, brought the MSU family to its feet.
Self perhaps summed everything up best with his opening comment.
"We did it. We finally did it," Self said to the crowd. "We brought [the national title] home for y'all."
The longtime pitcher then issued his now-familiar refrain that'll likely be repeated for years and years to come.
"Dawgs win again," Self said.
Yes they did. Yes this group did. And the maroon-and-white clad family that celebrated with them on Friday will never forget the 2021 squad.
It's a title that'll live forever. One Bulldogs everywhere will always be proud of. Longtime MSU icon Will Clark had this to say to the new group of legends.
"When you are approached by somebody and they want to know where you went to school and what you did, the whole works, you poke your chest out and say, 'I was the first national champion at Mississippi State University," Clark said.
Ideally, the first of many. Because while these kinds of celebrations might be new at Mississippi State, there's no way they'll ever grow old.
Two days after Mississippi State claimed its first-ever national championship, the city of Starkville continued its ongoing party with a parade and celebration to honor the Bulldogs. Though nearly 48 hours had passed since the dogpile in Omaha, the joy still overflowed.
"Do y'all mind if I have a quick wardrobe change real quick here?" MSU athletic director John Cohen said at the podium during the festivities at Dudy Noble Field.
Cohen, a former Bulldog player and head coach himself of course, then stepped to the side and slipped on a shirt and cap that celebrated the national title.
The cowbells clanged. The fans roared in approval. It was a scene that repeated itself throughout the evening. How could it not? Everywhere fans looked, there was a reminder staring them right back in the face that the Mississippi State Bulldogs indeed had won it all.
There were the players, sitting atop fire trucks, holding a national title banner as they paraded through the Cotton District towards the ballpark. Inside The Dude, a newly-raised championship flag waved beside the scoreboard. On the centerfield wall, there was a decal commemorating the accomplishment.
For so many, all this has seemed like a dream since Wednesday night. On Friday though, the sinking in had begun.
"Everybody keeps asking me, 'Coach, has it hit yet?'" head coach Chris Lemonis said when speaking to the crowd. "It's been pretty surreal and we've been so busy, flying back and then getting here. Then when they lifted us up on those fire trucks [for the parade], it finally hit me today that we're the national champions."
The marinating continued for Lemonis, his team and Bulldogs everywhere throughout the festivities. Starkville Mayor Lynn Spruill proclaimed June 30, 2021, as Diamond Dawg Day in the city.
"To be remembered and celebrated henceforth by all Starkvillians, MSU alumni and everyone who loves maroon and white," Spruill added.
Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves issued a similar proclamation for the totality of the Magnolia State.
Of course all of this celebrating wouldn't have been possible if not for the players themselves. Veterans Riley Self and Tanner Allen spoke on behalf of the State roster and with the national championship trophy beside them, brought the MSU family to its feet.
Self perhaps summed everything up best with his opening comment.
"We did it. We finally did it," Self said to the crowd. "We brought [the national title] home for y'all."
The longtime pitcher then issued his now-familiar refrain that'll likely be repeated for years and years to come.
"Dawgs win again," Self said.
Yes they did. Yes this group did. And the maroon-and-white clad family that celebrated with them on Friday will never forget the 2021 squad.
It's a title that'll live forever. One Bulldogs everywhere will always be proud of. Longtime MSU icon Will Clark had this to say to the new group of legends.
"When you are approached by somebody and they want to know where you went to school and what you did, the whole works, you poke your chest out and say, 'I was the first national champion at Mississippi State University," Clark said.
Ideally, the first of many. Because while these kinds of celebrations might be new at Mississippi State, there's no way they'll ever grow old.
Players Mentioned
OF
/ Baseball
RHP
/ BaseballDear Ol' State | Head Baseball Coach Brian O'Connor - 12/20/25
Saturday, December 20
BASEBALL | Kevin McMullan Fall Ball Media Session
Friday, September 19
BASEBALL | Ryan Mcpherson and Tyler Pitzer Fall Ball Media Session
Friday, September 19
BASEBALL | Aiden Teel and Noah Sullivan Fall Ball Media Session
Friday, September 19