D.A.W.G. Program Continuing To Help Shape Athletes’ Futures
July 29, 2024 | Football, Joel Coleman
A highly successful job fair is the latest event held that benefits players beyond the football field.
STARKVILLE – Things were winding down inside the Palmeiro Center on Thursday following a career fair provided exclusively for Mississippi State football players. Nearly 40 different stations were scattered around the facility, each with individuals representing different companies or job types for Bulldog athletes to talk to and familiarize themselves with.
As one guest who'd chatted with several players left the building, he couldn't help but be impressed by many of the conversations he'd had. He even went so far as to say about one of them, 'I'd hire that guy today if he was available.'
Safe to say this career fair – the latest successful event put on by MSU's D.A.W.G. (Developing A Winning Gameplan For Life) Program – continued to help shape the future for State football players.
Connections were made. Questions were asked. Interests were piqued.
Almost certainly deposits were made that will reap dividends in the not-too-distant future, and it all continues to show how State head football coach Jeff Lebby is not only focused on winning on Saturdays but helping his guys be triumphant in the grand scheme of life.
"Lebby is definitely completely invested in growing us as men," MSU tight end Seydou Traore said. "Being a man is holding a strong job and being able to support people. Things like this are going to help all of us do that."
Planning for the future đź’Ľ#SHOWTIME | #DAWGProgram pic.twitter.com/BgPCCdUNjq
— Mississippi State Football (@HailStateFB) July 25, 2024
State's D.A.W.G. Program has been an undisputed huge early victory in the Lebby era at MSU. Greg Knox, Jason Washington and Gerri Green – a pair of former State assistant coaches and a former Bulldog player respectively – have quickly taken Lebby's vision and given legs to the dream.
In addition to events like Thursday's which focus on career and professional development, the D.A.W.G. Program also keys in on honing guys' life skills as well as putting them in positions to serve others and connect with former Bulldog players. The last few months have seen State's football student-athletes participate in everything from mock job interviews, to micro internships with several different companies across the Southeast, to service projects in Miami.
Oh yeah, guys have learned how to cook steaks, tacos and pasta, plus gained knowledge on how to purchase and maintain cars as well.
It's not lost on members of the MSU roster how dedicated State's coaches are to making them all well-rounded, well-prepared young men.
"I don't think you find this in a lot of places, where you know you're truly cared about as a person and not just a football player," quarterback Blake Shapen said. "It's special."
The key to the D.A.W.G. Program's early success has been the buy in from the top down. Director of Athletics Zac Selmon, Lebby, Knox, Washington, Green and the players themselves have all embraced the concept of life going so much further than football. That was readily apparent at Thursday's career fair.
"These guys, being young people, 18 to 22 or 23-years old, they've got to do a great job of using the game and not letting the game use them," Lebby said. "To me, this is exactly what that looks like. If you want to have a great life, invest in yourself and find ways to connect with people that can create opportunities for you.
"Everybody that I talked to [on Thursday] has talked about how present our guys have been in the moment."
One of those who can back up Lebby's claim was State great and former NFL tight end Reggie Kelly. Kelly – now owner of KYVAN Foods – had a booth set up Thursday and was blown away by some of the talks he had with State players.
"For the kids to be so young, they're so professional," Kelly said. "That's a testament to great leadership. Kids model what they see. The coaching staff on this team is doing a tremendous job of modeling what these kids need to see, from the head all the way to the bottom. They're getting these kids prepared for not only football, but life, and the kids are a reflection of that.
"These kids had incredible manners. They were paying close attention to detail. They were asking precise questions that you really don't expect from 18 or 19 or 20-year olds. That lets you know that they are getting properly prepared for life."
As Kelly continued, he couldn't brag enough on what he's seen overall from the D.A.W.G. Program.
"One day, football isn't going to be these guys' main focus," Kelly said. "Then what do you do? The D.A.W.G. Program has been tremendous in helping these guys understand they are so much more than just athletes.
"As an athlete, you have to hone in on your skills and develop your skills to put a great product on the field, but what do you do after that? You still have to put a good product out there in whatever business or industry you're involved in. This D.A.W.G. Program is doing a tremendous job in teaching that."
It doesn't show up in the Southeastern Conference standings, but there's no denying how much the Bulldogs have already won under Lebby with the D.A.W.G. Program. Now, put yet another 'W' on the board after Thursday.
"This has been a special, special day for us, and it's something the kids will always remember," Knox said. "We talk about it all the time, but when that whistle blows for the last time and you really have to hang it up, here comes life. Today, our guys got exposure talking to all these companies and it's just another step in preparing these guys for life after football."
