Making A Lasting Impact
January 25, 2024 | Athletics, Joel Coleman, Bulldog Club
Humphrey Coliseum donors among latest to invest in State’s present and future.
STARKVILLE – A whole host of Bulldog fans packed the Boyce Adams Family Grand Entry at Humphrey Coliseum prior to one of Mississippi State's sold-out basketball games earlier this month. Inside the beautiful, newly-renovated Hump, these members of the MSU family gathered together for a brief celebration as key contributors to the $50 million project that has ensured the Dawgs' home arena remains one of the premier college hoops facilities in the country.
It was a bit of a party, and at the same time, it was a massive thank you. It was all a reminder of what's possible when everyone in Maroon and White moves forward, hand in hand.
"If you want to go far, you go together," State Director of Athletics Zac Selmon told those in attendance. "That's what all this is about – what Bulldogs can do when we come together."
There is certainly power in unity. There's strength in numbers. Mississippi State athletics has seen that time and time again through the years when it comes to accomplishing tasks.
There's of course tangible evidence of all that. There's not only the new-look Hump. There's Dudy Noble Field – arguably the very best baseball stadium in the entire nation. There've been Davis Wade Stadium enhancements. Don't forget Nusz Park and the Bulldogs' recently-opened new softball team fieldhouse. The list goes on and on.
"This university is on the move, and we have a tremendous amount of momentum," MSU President Dr. Mark Keenum said. "But athletics helps set the trajectory of any school in such a huge way. So, we're so blessed and so thankful that we have the support of so many in the Bulldog Club to help keep us on an upward trajectory."
But giving back isn't just about brick and mortar. It's about so much more than concrete and steel. Giving back at Mississippi State impacts people. Consider MSU soccer player Macey Hodge.
Hodge recently spoke to Bulldog Club members, and Bulldog Club president Charlie Stephenson shared that Hodge's message revolved around how thankful she was to be at a place where there has been so much behind-the-scenes support.
"She could've talked about how great of a soccer player she is," Stephenson shared. "But instead, she told us how appreciative she was that Mississippi State had given her the opportunity to come play soccer at the highest level and give her a place to grow as a person. It's a real-life example of a return on investment in college athletics."
Yes, Bulldog Club gifts can fund facility projects, but they also do so much more. They provide scholarships. They're used to supply premier nutrition, medical care, strength and conditioning as well as team travel. Put simply, they grant student-athletes the chance to receive a top-of-the-line experience that they'll carry with them forever.
Of course, giving a helping hand to things like the Hump project and laying the foundation for Bulldog student-athletes to get degrees and more also has another added perk. It's a much-desired one too, as Bulldog Club member Dean Wingo explained.
"I want to see both the athletic department and the university do well in all things," Wingo said. "And the thing is, do you want to win? Do you enjoy winning? It's a lot more fun to win than it is to lose. So, when I was approached about the baseball stadium, I contributed. When they came to me about the football stadium, I contributed. Now, it was the same for the basketball arena."
Wingo has been in love with Mississippi State ever since coming to the university as an out-of-state student years ago. He adores the place and he, like so many others, are committed to the long-term success of MSU the institution, as well as its people.
Gifts to the Bulldog Club are invaluable in that regard as they're crucial to funding student-athletes' academic endeavors and helping give them unforgettable memories and moments as competitors for Mississippi State.
Make your gift to the Bulldog Club today and help ensure MSU continues to move forward. For more information, CLICK HERE.