Maroon Friday Update: Oct. 17
October 17, 2025 | Athletics
Happy Maroon Friday!
It is a great day to be a Mississippi State Bulldog!
Starkville, Mississippi, is home to the No. 1 ranked collegiate golfer in the country right now – Avery Weed! A couple of weeks ago, I shared that Avery broke records and won the Blessings Invitational, but this time she's taken the crown nationwide. Way to go, Avery!
As I've shared before – and I cannot emphasize this enough – the differentiator today is how businesses, organizations, and supporters engage in opportunities for student-athletes through third-party partnerships. If you're unsure what that could look like for you but are interested in learning more, reach out to our team. We can help you find the right partnership fit.
Also, make plans to attend the Farm Bureau Diamond Dawg Classic powered by the Bulldog Initiative on Friday, November 7. This is an event you don't want to miss! This event is all about celebrating Mississippi State Baseball's proud past while preparing for the future.
For our remaining home games, please purchase your tickets. If you already have tickets, encourage your friends, neighbors, fellow tailgaters, and coworkers to join you. We can't have opposing colors showing up in our sections. Protect our home field.
If you can't make it to a game, let us help ensure your tickets end up in the hands of another Bulldog. Don't sell to opposing fans.
This week included our monthly Department-Wide Staff Meeting. In an effort to be efficient with our time, we cover a wide range of topics – from new compliance rules and process improvements to department updates and current events. We also use this time to find ways to evaluate ourselves and work to develop and grow as professionals.
We were fortunate to have Seth Kindig join us from Atlanta to share tools for effective leadership. I continue to hear from our staff about their desire for continued growth, and I'm grateful to work alongside professionals who want to be the best, healthiest versions of themselves – and then multiply that impact by inspiring others. Our partnership with Seth and Better allows us to continue intentionally investing in the growth and leadership development of our coaches and staff.
This week, I also joined Neil Price, the Voice of the Bulldogs, during Dawg Talk at Walk-On's here in Starkville on Wednesday night. We're fortunate to have Neil on our team — when you see him out and about, be sure to thank him for all he does for Mississippi State!
Our men's and women's basketball programs participated in SEC Media Day this week. There's outstanding coverage on both teams available now at hailstate.com. Be sure to check it out! Here are a few of my personal favorite moments:
This week's S.T.A.T.E. Shoutout for Transform goes to Jason Walker. Jason has been with Mississippi State since 2010, and as we continue advancing our department forward, I appreciate his ingenuity and ability to find creative solutions for complex challenges. Keep up the great work, Jason! Jason and his wife, Katie, live in Starkville with their three young children– Levi, Beau and Mabry. We are fortunate to have them as a part of the Mississippi State Athletics family and a part of the Starkville community. If you see the Walker's around town – tell them hello and thank you!
On the Selmon Family front, Meatball and her classmates took a field trip to Meridian to visit The Mississippi Arts + Entertainment Experience. She said her favorite part was the virtual boat ride and the kitchen exhibit – she had a blast! She even met Penny Kemp, the CEO of "The MAX," who was kind enough to spend time with her. It sounds like an outstanding place, and I've added it to my list for the next time I'm in Meridian.
Shayne had picture day this week. As much as I give her a hard time about her "teenybopper" tendencies, she was pretty lowkey – just a normal day for her. She did, however, inform me that she has more "rizz" than I did in 9th grade. I don't even know what that means…but she's probably right. Nothing like your teenagers to keep you humble.
Lots of events this weekend for our Bulldogs and plenty of opportunities in front of us.
Our Dawgs are en route to Gainesville.
Zac
It is a great day to be a Mississippi State Bulldog!
Starkville, Mississippi, is home to the No. 1 ranked collegiate golfer in the country right now – Avery Weed! A couple of weeks ago, I shared that Avery broke records and won the Blessings Invitational, but this time she's taken the crown nationwide. Way to go, Avery!
Avery is an outstanding representative of our university and athletics department. I know she will also make a great brand ambassador or partner for your organization or business. Because of the new opportunities that allow our student-athletes to partner with third-party groups, you can reach out to KK Seago at kseago@athletics.msstate.edu to learn how you can partner with Avery Weed and other student-athletes to advance your business or organization.The top-ranked collegiate golfer in the country resides in Starkville 🔥 #HailState pic.twitter.com/veYlEwAIzG
— Mississippi State Women's Golf (@HailStateWG) October 15, 2025
As I've shared before – and I cannot emphasize this enough – the differentiator today is how businesses, organizations, and supporters engage in opportunities for student-athletes through third-party partnerships. If you're unsure what that could look like for you but are interested in learning more, reach out to our team. We can help you find the right partnership fit.
Also, make plans to attend the Farm Bureau Diamond Dawg Classic powered by the Bulldog Initiative on Friday, November 7. This is an event you don't want to miss! This event is all about celebrating Mississippi State Baseball's proud past while preparing for the future.
This week, it was announced that Ethan Pulliam was named to The Sporting News Midseason All-America Team. Ethan is a Starkville High School graduate. Congratulations, Ethan!Team Thunder. Team Lightning.
— Mississippi State Baseball (@HailStateBB) September 18, 2025
Witness some of your favorite Diamond Dawgs compete once again at Dudy Noble Field.
🎟️: https://t.co/dYNa7sfIew
ℹ️: https://t.co/8vzyvHyHa4#HailState | @MSFarmBureau pic.twitter.com/64vy9gmcmx
As our team prepares to head to Gainesville this weekend, I know many of us are already looking forward to welcoming them back to Starkville next weekend. I say this every week because it matters – Bulldogs must take action. Filling Davis Wade Stadium with Maroon and White helps make it one of the best atmospheres in college football..@PulliamEthan → @sportingnews Midseason All-American
— Mississippi State Football (@HailStateFB) October 15, 2025
📰 ‣ https://t.co/NIqOaYMaXq#HailState pic.twitter.com/1GsqKYDRxC
For our remaining home games, please purchase your tickets. If you already have tickets, encourage your friends, neighbors, fellow tailgaters, and coworkers to join you. We can't have opposing colors showing up in our sections. Protect our home field.
If you can't make it to a game, let us help ensure your tickets end up in the hands of another Bulldog. Don't sell to opposing fans.
This week included our monthly Department-Wide Staff Meeting. In an effort to be efficient with our time, we cover a wide range of topics – from new compliance rules and process improvements to department updates and current events. We also use this time to find ways to evaluate ourselves and work to develop and grow as professionals.
This week, I also joined Neil Price, the Voice of the Bulldogs, during Dawg Talk at Walk-On's here in Starkville on Wednesday night. We're fortunate to have Neil on our team — when you see him out and about, be sure to thank him for all he does for Mississippi State!
Our men's and women's basketball programs participated in SEC Media Day this week. There's outstanding coverage on both teams available now at hailstate.com. Be sure to check it out! Here are a few of my personal favorite moments:
"I never get tired of talking about Josh." - @coachchrisjans #HailState pic.twitter.com/EFY9jxezlo
— Mississippi State Men's Basketball (@HailStateMBK) October 15, 2025
We're looking forward to basketball season launching for both teams. The Hump has been rocking – let's keep making Humphrey Coliseum one of the toughest places to play for our opponents with non-stop energy and electricity.Opportunity and Hunger.#HailState || @SamPurcellMSU pic.twitter.com/gb4e8JSWwq
— Mississippi State Women's Basketball (@HailStateWBK) October 15, 2025
This week's S.T.A.T.E. Shoutout for Transform goes to Jason Walker. Jason has been with Mississippi State since 2010, and as we continue advancing our department forward, I appreciate his ingenuity and ability to find creative solutions for complex challenges. Keep up the great work, Jason! Jason and his wife, Katie, live in Starkville with their three young children– Levi, Beau and Mabry. We are fortunate to have them as a part of the Mississippi State Athletics family and a part of the Starkville community. If you see the Walker's around town – tell them hello and thank you!
Shayne had picture day this week. As much as I give her a hard time about her "teenybopper" tendencies, she was pretty lowkey – just a normal day for her. She did, however, inform me that she has more "rizz" than I did in 9th grade. I don't even know what that means…but she's probably right. Nothing like your teenagers to keep you humble.
Lots of events this weekend for our Bulldogs and plenty of opportunities in front of us.
Our Dawgs are en route to Gainesville.
Have a great weekend, and Hail State!En Route pic.twitter.com/f3JHx2vtYg
— Mississippi State Football (@HailStateFB) October 16, 2025
Zac
2024-25 Mississippi State Athletics Recap
Thursday, August 21
STATE OF MIND: EP 4 | FT. ZAC SELMON
Thursday, January 09
STATE OF MIND: EP 1 | FT. JOSH HUBBARD
Monday, November 04
Zac Selmon Joins Charlie Winfield And Bart Gregory On Out Of Left Field
Thursday, October 03