Athletics Celebrates Maroon & White Night

STARKVILLE – For one night a year, Mississippi State student-athletes from across all 16 sports trade in their usual Maroon and White Adidas uniforms for evening gowns and suits to celebrate their success over the past calendar year.

On Monday, those Bulldogs – along with their coaches and athletic administration – packed out the Mill Conference Center for the fourth annual Maroon & White Night. There student-athletes walked the maroon carpet, had their photos taken and were interviewed by paparazzi upon their arrival before sitting down to a formal dinner and awards banquet.

"To our All-Americans, to our All-SEC student-athletes, to our professional draft selections, to our coach and players of the year and for our school's very first national championship and for all of you, we honor you for the countless moments this year that made the Mississippi State family so proud," said director of athletics John Cohen. "Without a doubt, your determination, your perseverance and your resilience are among the many reasons Mississippi State is such a special place."

After leading their programs to unprecedented heights, baseball's Chris Lemonis and volleyball's Julie Darty Dennis received the male and female Coach of the Year awards respectively.

Lemonis led the Diamond Dawgs to the school's first ever national championship last summer while Darty Dennis guided her program to its inaugural NCAA Tournament bid. Lemonis was named the National Coach of the Year by Baseball America while the SEC donned Darty Dennis as its Coach of the Year.

Baseball's Tanner Allen was tabbed as the Male Athlete of the Year while softball's Mia Davidson took home Female Athlete of the Year honors.

Allen was the 2021 ABCA National Player of the Year as well as the SEC Player of the Year. Allen was also a first team All-American and All-SEC performer before being drafted in the fourth round by the Miami Marlins.

Allen was unable to attend the banquet due to his outfield duties with the Beloit Sky Carp, the High-A affiliate of the Marlins. Lemonis accepted the trophy on Allen's behalf.

Davidson surpassed baseball legend Rafael Palmeiro for the most career home runs hit by a Bulldog last season and has since become the SEC's all-time home run leader. She currently has 85 homers, which ranks seventh in NCAA history.

The Moment of the Year was voted on at the banquet and it came as no surprise when the Diamond Dawgs claiming the 2021 national title was announced as the winner. Pitcher Landon Sims and first baseman/ catcher Luke Hancock took the stage to receive the honor for the team.

The Dowsing-Bell True Maroon Spirit Awards went to volleyball's Shania Cromartie and Cameron Crump of track and field. The awards are presented to individuals who best exemplify what it means to be a Bulldog while championing sportsmanship, personal growth, grit, overcoming adversity and exceptional leadership in and around the athletic department.

The event not only recognized the achievements MSU's outstanding student-athletes enjoyed on the field of play, it also honored their successes in the classroom and community as well. The Bulldogs saw 241 student-athletes maintain a 3.0 or higher grade point average with 46 of those attaining a perfect 4.0 GPA.

Stone Simmons (baseball), D.J. Jeffries (men's basketball), Ford Clegg (men's golf), Florian Broska (men's tennis), Trent Zelden (track & field), Myah Taylor (women's basketball), Abbey Daniel (women's golf), Alyssa D'Aloise (soccer), Chloe Malau'ulu (softball), Sydney Steely (cross country), Nykah Smith (track & field) and Burgundy Walters (volleyball) all received Newsom Awards for their excellence in the classroom.

Football's Austin Williams and Emmanouela Antonaki of women's tennis were named the overall male and female Newsom Award winners.

Football's Jaylon Reed and softball's Allison Florian each received Community Service Awards while the women's track and field team was presented with the Clanga Cup, which is given annually to the team that is the most engaged with their holistic development and fosters the commitment of life skills while championing academic and athletic excellence.

To close out the special evening, emcee Neil Price recited a catch phrase that Jack Cristil used during his legendary 58-year career as the voice of the Bulldogs "Wrap it in Maroon and White!"

Female Coach of the Year