Maroon Friday Update: Jan. 30
January 31, 2026 | Athletics
It's a great day to be a Mississippi State Bulldog!
Here within Mississippi State Athletics, we've welcomed 63 new student-athletes this semester. We are grateful to have these new student-athletes join our family. These student-athletes consist of early high school graduates and existing collegiate student-athletes. This is our new normal – and our goal is to ensure that these young people are integrated and included into our programs as quickly as possible so they can focus on their academic and athletic pursuits. We simply could not enroll 63 new student-athletes in December and January if it wasn't for the outstanding team we have assembled who go above and beyond to make this happen.
First and foremost, I'd like to give a S.T.A.T.E. Shoutout to Dr. Brent Fountain, our Faculty Athletics Representative. Dr. Fountain represents our University with class and integrity. In addition to Dr. Fountain, this type of transition has a huge impact on our compliance staff, our academics staff, and campus partners – including Emily Shaw in the Registrar's Office, and our college contacts: Dr. Kevin Rogers in the College of Business, Rachel Tentoni with our College of Education, and Christa Holloway with the College of Arts and Sciences. These folks are exemplifying our S.T.A.T.E. of Mind values (Serve. Together. Act. Transform. Excel.) each day, and I am so grateful for our outstanding team.
Speaking of outstanding – how about our women's basketball team with their outstanding performance last night in Knoxville as they took down the 15th-ranked Lady Vols, 77–62?! Way to go!
Let's pack The Hump on Sunday at 2 p.m. as they face Missouri! This team has faced tough battles this year, and if you've had a chance to watch them, you have seen firsthand how hard they fight. If you haven't had a chance to catch them in action, you don't want to miss your opportunity. Secure your tickets here for this Sunday's matchup. See you there!
This weekend is also our women's basketball alumni weekend, and it is great to see so many of our former student-athletes back on campus. I love hearing their stories and memories from their time here and how they continue to make their mark on their communities through tremendous impact. We look forward to honoring these outstanding women throughout the game on Sunday!
This week we hosted NIL in Action – Jackson. Back in October, I shared that we hosted a similar event in Starkville but wanted to reach out to friends and business leaders in Jackson. This gathering allowed our team to share insights, best practices, and real data on the power of third-party NIL opportunities and student-athlete marketing – highlighting the positive results these partnerships have for both businesses and student-athletes. We cannot emphasize enough the importance of engaging in student-athlete marketing or third-party NIL. This is the differentiator for schools in our league.
In 2024, Learfield conducted a survey, and the results were really telling – the impact of partnering with student-athletes is proving to be a great boost to business.
Did you know that when businesses use NIL assets, consumers report a more positive brand impression, hold the brand in higher regard, and see an increase in purchase intent? That is a win-win
I also want to give a shoutout to Tommy Hixon, owner of Core Wellness & Recovery, for partnering with us on this event, as well as Kinkade's Fine Clothing in Jackson and George Sherman Clothiers in Starkville for partnering to outfit Aidan Teel, redshirt junior and outfielder for the Diamond Dawgs. Aidan was able to share with the group his firsthand experiences and why he and his fellow student-athletes love the opportunity to partner with brands and businesses. Check out Keith Kinkade and Aidan – they tied for best dressed at the event! You can keep up with Aidan and his teammates on his Instagram handle, aidan_teel – give him a follow!
Back here in Starkville, I have learned of a couple of awards that have been earned by campus partners. Our University was the recipient of the International Collegiate Licensing Association's Synergy Award, the organization's highest honor recognizing a collegiate licensing program that demonstrates exceptional collaboration, innovation, brand stewardship, and measurable impact across campus and beyond. The University achieved the highest royalty revenue in program history in Fiscal Year 2025, expanding MSU's licensed marketplace by adding 106 new vendors. Shoutout to our Office of General Counsel and Trademark Licensing – Way to go, team!
Additionally, our campus partners in the Division of Strategic Communications celebrated a major leap of more than 150 spots in Division I social media rankings to earn No. 13 overall! Well done! If you haven't given these accounts a follow, go ahead and check them out. There is always great and informative content about university happenings. Give them a follow on X and Instagram.
This week, Meatball Selmon participated in her school's book fair. She chose to present on a book called Alone by Megan E. Freeman. I asked her why she picked that book, and she explained that her favorite part was that as the story goes on, the book's protagonist, Maddie, becomes more confident and sure of herself as she continues to experience different challenges. She said with hope and perseverance, you can do anything you want. She said, "Even when it seems scary at first, you just have to keep going." Ah yes, Meatball, ain't that the truth?! Here is Meatball dressed up like the character in her book, Maddie.
In closing today, I want to take the time to extend my condolences to the families of two great Mississippi men and share a little more about the men who are an inspiration to us all and the legacies they have left behind here on earth.
Fox Haas, father of my friend Toxey Haas, inspired a legacy. Fox was known as a gamekeeper and consummate woodsman. Rachel and I want to share our heartfelt condolences with the Haas family and the entire Mossy Oak community that the family has built. In reading more about Fox and his impactful life, the family shared some of his wise words:
"I believe it's important to take care of the things we love. My friends ask me what a man my age is doing planting hardwoods. I believe the good that men do will live long after they're gone." – Fox Haas, 1930–2026
We lost another great man this week in Billy W. Howard, Sr. Mr. Billy was the very definition of a Bulldog. He earned his degree in electrical engineering in just three years while lettering in football, basketball, and track. His legacy as Mississippi State's original "Iron Man" speaks to his resilience as an athlete and his strength of character throughout his life. Mr. Howard believed deeply in Mississippi State and in the power of education to change lives. His generosity, humility, and pride in this institution have helped shape the future of our program and will impact generations of student-athletes to come. He will always be remembered as one of Mississippi State's very best. I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to spend time with Mr. Billy – an inspirational leader whose impact on the state of Mississippi is infinite.
Wishing you all a safe weekend. For our friends and neighbors in the northern part of the state and around the region who have been hit by the storms – you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Until next time… Hail State!
Here within Mississippi State Athletics, we've welcomed 63 new student-athletes this semester. We are grateful to have these new student-athletes join our family. These student-athletes consist of early high school graduates and existing collegiate student-athletes. This is our new normal – and our goal is to ensure that these young people are integrated and included into our programs as quickly as possible so they can focus on their academic and athletic pursuits. We simply could not enroll 63 new student-athletes in December and January if it wasn't for the outstanding team we have assembled who go above and beyond to make this happen.
First and foremost, I'd like to give a S.T.A.T.E. Shoutout to Dr. Brent Fountain, our Faculty Athletics Representative. Dr. Fountain represents our University with class and integrity. In addition to Dr. Fountain, this type of transition has a huge impact on our compliance staff, our academics staff, and campus partners – including Emily Shaw in the Registrar's Office, and our college contacts: Dr. Kevin Rogers in the College of Business, Rachel Tentoni with our College of Education, and Christa Holloway with the College of Arts and Sciences. These folks are exemplifying our S.T.A.T.E. of Mind values (Serve. Together. Act. Transform. Excel.) each day, and I am so grateful for our outstanding team.
Speaking of outstanding – how about our women's basketball team with their outstanding performance last night in Knoxville as they took down the 15th-ranked Lady Vols, 77–62?! Way to go!
This weekend is also our women's basketball alumni weekend, and it is great to see so many of our former student-athletes back on campus. I love hearing their stories and memories from their time here and how they continue to make their mark on their communities through tremendous impact. We look forward to honoring these outstanding women throughout the game on Sunday!
This week we hosted NIL in Action – Jackson. Back in October, I shared that we hosted a similar event in Starkville but wanted to reach out to friends and business leaders in Jackson. This gathering allowed our team to share insights, best practices, and real data on the power of third-party NIL opportunities and student-athlete marketing – highlighting the positive results these partnerships have for both businesses and student-athletes. We cannot emphasize enough the importance of engaging in student-athlete marketing or third-party NIL. This is the differentiator for schools in our league.
Did you know that when businesses use NIL assets, consumers report a more positive brand impression, hold the brand in higher regard, and see an increase in purchase intent? That is a win-win
I also want to give a shoutout to Tommy Hixon, owner of Core Wellness & Recovery, for partnering with us on this event, as well as Kinkade's Fine Clothing in Jackson and George Sherman Clothiers in Starkville for partnering to outfit Aidan Teel, redshirt junior and outfielder for the Diamond Dawgs. Aidan was able to share with the group his firsthand experiences and why he and his fellow student-athletes love the opportunity to partner with brands and businesses. Check out Keith Kinkade and Aidan – they tied for best dressed at the event! You can keep up with Aidan and his teammates on his Instagram handle, aidan_teel – give him a follow!
This week, Meatball Selmon participated in her school's book fair. She chose to present on a book called Alone by Megan E. Freeman. I asked her why she picked that book, and she explained that her favorite part was that as the story goes on, the book's protagonist, Maddie, becomes more confident and sure of herself as she continues to experience different challenges. She said with hope and perseverance, you can do anything you want. She said, "Even when it seems scary at first, you just have to keep going." Ah yes, Meatball, ain't that the truth?! Here is Meatball dressed up like the character in her book, Maddie.
Fox Haas, father of my friend Toxey Haas, inspired a legacy. Fox was known as a gamekeeper and consummate woodsman. Rachel and I want to share our heartfelt condolences with the Haas family and the entire Mossy Oak community that the family has built. In reading more about Fox and his impactful life, the family shared some of his wise words:
"I believe it's important to take care of the things we love. My friends ask me what a man my age is doing planting hardwoods. I believe the good that men do will live long after they're gone." – Fox Haas, 1930–2026
Until next time… Hail State!
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