Maroon Friday Update: Sept. 5
September 05, 2025 | Athletics
Happy Maroon Friday!
It's a great day to be a Mississippi State Bulldog!
There is an energy in the air here in Starkville - you all know what I'm talking about. A couple of years ago, our senior writer Joel Coleman wrote a script for a hype video that has stuck with me, and it's ringing in my head today. I think it captures the feeling we all share:
Mississippi State.
There is no place like it.
East of the Delta…north of the Gulf…south of the hills—amongst the pines…
Sits our little slice of heaven.
On Saturdays in the fall, we gather as one to fight for Dear Ol' State.
It's a reunion like no other.
The Junction. The Dawg Walk. The flyovers and the fireworks.
60,000 strong, letting opponents know that when those bells toll, they're tolling for them.
When the tailgate ends and those heaping helpings of Mississippi hospitality are done being served, nobody brings the noise like us…nobody!
From the Dawgs on the field to the ones in the Davis Wade Stadium stands, we know who we are. We won't be outworked. And we do it all with a State swag that tells the world we're not backing down or playing second fiddle to anybody—no matter the circumstances. It's how we've made our mark.
And the fans? They're the fuel to the flame. All the big hits, big plays, and biggest moments in our history have had the soundtrack of the Bulldog family behind them.
It's been said that players make plays. While that's true, there's no doubt our fans make game days.
From beginning to end, there is absolutely nothing like a Saturday in StarkVegas.
Some places may be bigger, but none are better. Others may be loud, but none are louder.
It's different here. This place is special. This place is home.
Wow…this is our anthem. This is who we are. And I could not be more thankful for each of you for playing a key role in what makes our home so special.
I know everyone is busy getting ready for the weekend, but thank you for letting me drop in and share a few updates with you.
Yesterday evening, as I drove from the Bryan Building to the soccer pitch for Senior Day, I saw Bulldogs arriving from out of town - cruising back to campus. That's when you know the weekend is here – when traffic is slowed down behind an SUV through campus and you see hands out of the window of the car pointing to a memory and sharing it with the rest of the car. The rest of us in line behind the Bulldog strolling down memory lane are most likely already late – but hey, it's worth it. To be able to work every single day at a place that brings people so much joy – what a blessing! After the senior ceremony, I headed to the Starkville Quarterback Club gathering. They were kind enough to invite me to share some current events and updates from our department. From there, I went to Davis Wade Stadium for a game rehearsal.
It was a late night, but I appreciate our team's commitment to the details. We know confidence comes from preparation, and our focus has been on controlling what we can control and being ready to welcome you home to DWS.
There are countless staff members and partners I could give a S.T.A.T.E. Shoutout to, but this email would be too long to make it through the server! One special example I do want to share is about a unique partnership we have formed because of the new LED lights you'll see tomorrow. Once the lights were installed by our outstanding partners, we needed a lighting expert to program them and bring them to life, so we partnered with theatre professor Greg Thorn, who spent countless hours programming and designing the shows. He has included several Mississippi State theatre students in this project. That's Mississippi State in action – people from our department and various units on campus coming together, hand in hand, to create something special.
Also, with us late last night were David Garraway (Director of the University Television Center) and Dale Robertson (Senior Coordinator of Event/Audio/Visual Services). And that's just scratching the surface at the tremendous partners we have dedicating their time to prepare for a great game-day atmosphere. The bottom line is what you'll see this weekend is the product of a lot of people putting in a lot of time and effort, and we are so grateful. Now, it's time to execute the things we've prepared for off the field and for our team to play ball.
Tonight, I hope you will join us for Cowbell Yell in the Amphitheater at 7 p.m., featuring a concert with Chris Lane. This long-standing tradition has grown from being just for freshmen into an event for all students and fans. It will be a great time. Hope to see you there!
As you finalize your plans for tomorrow, please stop by Coca-Cola Fan Fest, where the Bulldog Initiative is hosting a women's basketball autograph session from 3:45–4:15 p.m.
Speaking of the Bulldog Initiative – as I've shared before, in this new era of college athletics, legitimate third-party NIL deals are a major differentiator. The schools that rally their business leaders to support NIL opportunities will give their student-athletes a real advantage. There is still information evolving about this new era of revenue sharing and third-party NIL deals. With that, the Bulldog Initiative remains essential. When you see the Bulldog Initiative branding – whether at the Diamond Dawg Classic or around town – that is your sign that you need to get behind it and support it. I know we are all grateful for the work Charlie Winfield continues to do to position our student-athletes for success.
After Fan Fest, head to Dawg Walk around 4:25 p.m. to welcome our team and show them our pride as they enter the stadium. Check out the schedule of events.
Tomorrow night, our team will be wearing an alternate uniform. If you have a black shirt, help us activate "dark mode." If you don't, wear your favorite MSU gear. We just want you there! As Coach Lebby said: "Saturday at 6:30 p.m. – it's Starkville vs. Everybody."
If you don't have your tickets yet, what are you waiting for? It is time for you to secure your seat:Â Secure Your Seat Here.
This weekend, as we celebrate together, we also carry sadness in our hearts with the loss of a young and precious Bulldog, Lee Thorne. Martha Ann, Lee's strong and loving mother, shared with me this morning that Lee went to heaven yesterday evening. Lee spent time with our football program earlier this spring, and we know his spirit will remain with us. Please keep the Thorne family in your prayers during this difficult time. Lee's time on earth was short, but his impact is everlasting. That's the true meaning of a life that echoes.
One of the many things Rachel and I love about this community is knowing that, in times like this, we wrap each other in love and support – for hours, days, months, and years ahead.
It's with a grateful heart that I sign off. See you this weekend.
Zac
It's a great day to be a Mississippi State Bulldog!
There is an energy in the air here in Starkville - you all know what I'm talking about. A couple of years ago, our senior writer Joel Coleman wrote a script for a hype video that has stuck with me, and it's ringing in my head today. I think it captures the feeling we all share:
Mississippi State.
There is no place like it.
East of the Delta…north of the Gulf…south of the hills—amongst the pines…
Sits our little slice of heaven.
On Saturdays in the fall, we gather as one to fight for Dear Ol' State.
It's a reunion like no other.
The Junction. The Dawg Walk. The flyovers and the fireworks.
60,000 strong, letting opponents know that when those bells toll, they're tolling for them.
When the tailgate ends and those heaping helpings of Mississippi hospitality are done being served, nobody brings the noise like us…nobody!
From the Dawgs on the field to the ones in the Davis Wade Stadium stands, we know who we are. We won't be outworked. And we do it all with a State swag that tells the world we're not backing down or playing second fiddle to anybody—no matter the circumstances. It's how we've made our mark.
And the fans? They're the fuel to the flame. All the big hits, big plays, and biggest moments in our history have had the soundtrack of the Bulldog family behind them.
It's been said that players make plays. While that's true, there's no doubt our fans make game days.
From beginning to end, there is absolutely nothing like a Saturday in StarkVegas.
Some places may be bigger, but none are better. Others may be loud, but none are louder.
It's different here. This place is special. This place is home.
Wow…this is our anthem. This is who we are. And I could not be more thankful for each of you for playing a key role in what makes our home so special.
Yesterday evening, as I drove from the Bryan Building to the soccer pitch for Senior Day, I saw Bulldogs arriving from out of town - cruising back to campus. That's when you know the weekend is here – when traffic is slowed down behind an SUV through campus and you see hands out of the window of the car pointing to a memory and sharing it with the rest of the car. The rest of us in line behind the Bulldog strolling down memory lane are most likely already late – but hey, it's worth it. To be able to work every single day at a place that brings people so much joy – what a blessing! After the senior ceremony, I headed to the Starkville Quarterback Club gathering. They were kind enough to invite me to share some current events and updates from our department. From there, I went to Davis Wade Stadium for a game rehearsal.
It was a late night, but I appreciate our team's commitment to the details. We know confidence comes from preparation, and our focus has been on controlling what we can control and being ready to welcome you home to DWS.
There are countless staff members and partners I could give a S.T.A.T.E. Shoutout to, but this email would be too long to make it through the server! One special example I do want to share is about a unique partnership we have formed because of the new LED lights you'll see tomorrow. Once the lights were installed by our outstanding partners, we needed a lighting expert to program them and bring them to life, so we partnered with theatre professor Greg Thorn, who spent countless hours programming and designing the shows. He has included several Mississippi State theatre students in this project. That's Mississippi State in action – people from our department and various units on campus coming together, hand in hand, to create something special.
Also, with us late last night were David Garraway (Director of the University Television Center) and Dale Robertson (Senior Coordinator of Event/Audio/Visual Services). And that's just scratching the surface at the tremendous partners we have dedicating their time to prepare for a great game-day atmosphere. The bottom line is what you'll see this weekend is the product of a lot of people putting in a lot of time and effort, and we are so grateful. Now, it's time to execute the things we've prepared for off the field and for our team to play ball.
Tonight, I hope you will join us for Cowbell Yell in the Amphitheater at 7 p.m., featuring a concert with Chris Lane. This long-standing tradition has grown from being just for freshmen into an event for all students and fans. It will be a great time. Hope to see you there!
Speaking of the Bulldog Initiative – as I've shared before, in this new era of college athletics, legitimate third-party NIL deals are a major differentiator. The schools that rally their business leaders to support NIL opportunities will give their student-athletes a real advantage. There is still information evolving about this new era of revenue sharing and third-party NIL deals. With that, the Bulldog Initiative remains essential. When you see the Bulldog Initiative branding – whether at the Diamond Dawg Classic or around town – that is your sign that you need to get behind it and support it. I know we are all grateful for the work Charlie Winfield continues to do to position our student-athletes for success.
After Fan Fest, head to Dawg Walk around 4:25 p.m. to welcome our team and show them our pride as they enter the stadium. Check out the schedule of events.
If you don't have your tickets yet, what are you waiting for? It is time for you to secure your seat:Â Secure Your Seat Here.
This weekend, as we celebrate together, we also carry sadness in our hearts with the loss of a young and precious Bulldog, Lee Thorne. Martha Ann, Lee's strong and loving mother, shared with me this morning that Lee went to heaven yesterday evening. Lee spent time with our football program earlier this spring, and we know his spirit will remain with us. Please keep the Thorne family in your prayers during this difficult time. Lee's time on earth was short, but his impact is everlasting. That's the true meaning of a life that echoes.
One of the many things Rachel and I love about this community is knowing that, in times like this, we wrap each other in love and support – for hours, days, months, and years ahead.
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