Mississippi State Provides Financial Awards To Student-Athletes
April 06, 2022 | Athletics, Athletic Academics
STARKVILLE – On the heels of last year's Supreme Court decision in the Alston v. NCAA case, Mississippi State has begun providing financial awards to its student-athletes.
Named after MSU donors Michael and Valarie Hall, the Hall Academic Awards were distributed for the first time in mid-February. All Bulldog student-athletes were eligible, whether on scholarship or not. Over $1 million total was provided to recipients with the average award presented to each student-athlete coming in at just over $3,200.
"At Mississippi State, we are committed to providing unprecedented support to all of our student-athletes," MSU Director of Athletics John Cohen said. "The Hall Awards program now gives us the means to take care of our student-athletes like never before. The best part is these benefits are available to every Mississippi State athlete. That – along with opportunities to capitalize on name, image and likeness – means there has been no better time than the present to be a Bulldog."
Award amounts were determined based on a number of factors. Those included eligibility, retention, community service and academic accolades such as earning a spot on the Bulldog Honor Roll or Southeastern Conference Honor Roll.
"I think it's a great opportunity to recognize our student-athletes for their academic achievements," State Senior Deputy Athletic Director Bracky Brett said of the Hall awards. "We are always acknowledging athletic achievements, but this is a way we can reward them for what they are doing in the classroom."
Since the Alston v. NCAA ruling, universities were granted the ability to provide academic achievement awards with direct financial support. Presidents and Chancellors of the SEC confirmed its member institutions could indeed provide the academic awards at their discretion. Up to $5,980 can be provided to each student-athlete per year.