Maroon Friday Update: Oct. 10

Happy Maroon Friday!

It is a great day to be a Mississippi State Bulldog!

It's fall break and a bye week for our football program, but there's still so much happening across Bulldog Country.

Our men's golf team took home the victory at the Cullan Brown Collegiate in Lexington, Kentucky, this week. Proud of Coach Dusty Smith and his team for bringing home the W! The program will be back in action October 18–20 as they co-host the Fallen Oak Collegiate Invitational at Fallen Oak Golf Club in Saucier, Mississippi. If you're on the Coast, come out to watch these talented golfers and cheer on our Dawgs.

Our cross country team also secured a win at the Belhaven Invite last week. Of the 10 Bulldogs competing, nine earned top-10 finishes in the race. Congrats, ladies!

This week, Ally Perry was named to the Hermann Trophy Midseason Watch List - the nation's highest individual honor recognizing the National Player of the Year. Ally leads our top-10 Bulldog squad in goals (7), assists (6), and points (20). She also paces the SEC in points per game (1.67) and raises that to 2.33 in conference play, leading the league in both goals and shots. Four of her goals have been game-winners - second in the SEC and seventh nationally.

The winner of the 2025 Hermann Trophy won't be announced until January 2026, but we already know who our vote would be. Way to go, Ally Perry!

Although the team plays in Gainesville tonight, mark your calendars to cheer them on in Starkville next Thursday (10/16) at 6 p.m.

As we closed September, our Bulldog Club team worked with many of you on several major gifts, including two seven-figure commitments, from influential and dedicated Bulldog families. More details are coming soon, but I want to thank all of you who continue to invest in our vision. Your support at every level is vital as we advance forward.

If you'd like to join us in supporting our mission to reach new heights, please visit The Bulldog Club or call 662-325-3074 (Monday–Friday).

This week, I had the opportunity to share more about Mississippi State and our drive for excellence with a national group of college sports administrators at the CALS Symposium in Columbus, Ohio.

While there, Deputy AD Josh McCowan moderated a panel titled "The Art of the Hire" with Athletic Directors from Arizona State, Villanova, Drexel, and Cincinnati. Great job representing Mississippi State Athletics, Josh!

I also had the honor of presenting my mentor and current North Carolina Athletics Director, Bubba Cunningham, with a Lifetime Achievement Award. I've shared before the impact Bubba has had on my life - and seeing him greeted with a standing ovation was special. He's transformed our industry and, above all, he's a good man. A true inspiration!

Another great friend in this business, Will Reece (right), and his family put on CALS each year. Will continues to be a key influencer in college athletics and a great partner in this work.

Anytime I have the opportunity to speak to peers across the country, I'm proud to showcase all the great things we're doing here at State. But it always comes back to one key theme: alignment.

Alignment, much like momentum, is something you fight to maintain. It's our difference-maker. Thanks to the leadership of Dr. Keenum and the intentional unity of our Bulldog Family, we have a foundation that sets us apart.

I spend a lot of time thinking about alignment, togetherness, and momentum because they're critical to long-term success.

My staff will tell you I'm not the most patient person, but I understand we're building something sustainable while pushing for success today. Alignment and togetherness, paired with relentless work ethic, courage to evolve, and strategic stewardship of resources, will move Mississippi State forward in this new era of college athletics.

In writing this, the story in the Bible that we all learn at a young age of the wise man building his house upon the rock came to mind. You know the one – based on Matthew 7:24. It's a reminder that any wise leader must build on a strong foundation. When the rains fall and the winds blow, a house built on rock stands firm. A house built on sand does not.

We all want results now; with that, we must build wisely – with alignment, courage, and consistency. When momentum comes, we must hold onto it and keep stacking days of progress.

As I shared last week, be part of supporting our team, purchase tickets for the remaining home games. If you already have tickets, encourage your friends, neighbors, and coworkers to join you — we can't have opposing colors in our sections!

S.T.A.T.E. Shoutout: to our baseball program for living out our core value of SERVE. Our Diamond Dawgs spent time with athletes in The Miracle League, giving back to an amazing community. Proud of you, fellas!

Speaking of baseball, all Diamond Dawgs and their families are invited back for Alumni Weekend, November 7–8. That weekend includes the Diamond Dawg Classic, powered by The Bulldog Initiative, followed by our football matchup versus Georgia at Davis Wade Stadium.

Get your tickets for the Diamond Dawg Classic HERE.

Secure your Georgia football tickets HERE.

And if you're looking to make the weekend even more memorable, consider playing in the Dawgs Grand Slam Golf Event on Thursday, November 6, at Mossy Oak Golf Club – one of the premier venues in the country. It's a great chance to connect with our student-athletes and support our continued growth. Click here to register.

This weekend, I'm looking forward to spending time with my family and some great friends we've met here in Mississippi. I hope you'll do something you enjoy this weekend as well.

If you're in town, make plans to support our volleyball team – two matchups this weekend:

Tonight: vs. the school up north, 6 p.m. at Newell-Grissom
Sunday: vs. #9 Texas A&M, 2 p.m. at Newell-Grissom

No ticket required — just show up and be loud!

Thanks again for all you do – It is a great day to be a Mississippi State Bulldog!

Hail State!

Zac
Zac Selmon Signature Left

Mississippi State University Athletics

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