Photo by: Mississippi State Athletics
Maroon Friday Update: Feb. 20
February 20, 2026 | Athletics
Happy Maroon Friday!
It's a great day to be a Mississippi State Bulldog!
What a week! I have to start out today by giving a S.T.A.T.E. Shoutout to our athletics department staff for showcasing our core values: Serve. Together. Act. Transform. Excel.
Over a 17-day stretch, which we are right in the middle of, our team will host more than 30 competitions and events here in Starkville. From the planning and preparation to the production and execution, there are countless details behind every event. I want to sincerely thank our staff and the many individuals who support us on game days for the work they put in to create a first-class experience for our student-athletes and fans.
It takes all of us. And I'm grateful for the way our team continues to deliver!
I also want to share my gratitude to you, our Bulldog Family, who continue to show up and cheer loudly for the young people wearing Maroon and White! Thank you!
With that, there are a lot of opportunities to catch Mississippi State student-athletes in action this weekend in Starkville!
Maroon Friday Matchups:
Saturday Matchups:
Sunday Matchups:
Despite the weather, last weekend was one for the books. THANK YOU to our fans, and especially our students, for showing Coach O'Connor and the boys a welcome to the 2026 season by setting a program record for opening day attendance at 12,824. It was great to be back in The Dude with each of you.
How about our Bulldog Josh Hubbard!? Josh had a marquee week. Last Saturday, he became MSU's all-time leader in career 3-pointers during a game where the Dawgs beat the school up north 90-78. He followed up on Wednesday night with a historic performance as he set the school record for 3-pointers in a single game with 10, as well as total scoring in a conference game with 46 points. Outstanding performance from our guy!
To top it all off, Josh was named the 2026 Coach Wooden Citizenship Cup Winner! The Coach Wooden Citizenship Cup Award honors student-athletes who embody the values of legendary coach John Wooden, emphasizing integrity, teamwork, academic excellence, and servant leadership both on and off the court.
That is our guy, Josh! His impact extends well beyond his athletic performance. We know he is the shining example of humility, work ethic and dedication to serving others. We are proud of you, Josh!
Since I last wrote to you, we've had several SEC AD meetings - one of which was in person with SEC head football coaches - where we continue to seek and strategically approach ways to advance forward in this new era. Our agenda items included the college football calendar and football scheduling. We had lengthy discussions about the College Football Playoff and then spent a lot of our time on governance, legislative, and compliance related matters to the current state of intercollegiate athletics. We continue to appreciate the leadership of Commissioner Sankey and the commitment from my colleagues in the room to lead and seek solutions in this current climate. The college sport enterprise is far more complex than it may seem. With that, I know we have a group of leaders committed to doing our part to lead us through this era of change.
As the meetings wrapped up, we rushed back to Starkville to attend an invite co-hosted by The Bulldog Club and Bulldog Sports Properties. There I got to visit with great Bulldogs including The Wilson Family. Thanks to the Wilsons for their continued support of Mississippi State University!
A couple of weekends ago, my wife Rachel and I were invited as guests to Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, and we are still talking about the behemoth of an event it was! While there, we were also able to meet with industry leaders and connect with some of the best in the business. It was an unforgettable experience! The cherry on top was getting to see Bulldog Charles Cross win the big one. Congrats to Charles!
While we were out of town, our daughters Shayne and Meatball had two of their grandparents in town to help with their many activities. Thanks to my in-laws - "SAS" and "Chuckles" - for holding down the fort! Shayne even had a dance with some friends, so we got to FaceTime her before she took off. She sure looked beautiful!
Yesterday, I had the opportunity to meet with a great Bulldog Club member in Greenwood who continues to inspire me with his passion for uplifting his community. He is an entrepreneur and a successful one. But what stands out to me the most is his ability to win by measures of business while being conscious of the impact his investments have on the community and how his entire community can be uplifted by his endeavors. We had lunch at Serio's, and boy it was good! If you plan on stopping at Serio's in Greenwood, I recommend the banana pudding!
On the drive back, I thought of our Delta Dawgs who make the same path multiple times a week to come support our sport programs and teams. I know the drives are long, but your commitment and time coming to support us means the world. As you get on Highway 82 to head to Starkville, just know that each and every time - I am grateful to you! Not only our Delta Dawgs, but to each of you who make the drive, take the time, and dedicate your resources to supporting MSU - we thank you!
Let's have a great weekend - Hail State!
It's a great day to be a Mississippi State Bulldog!
What a week! I have to start out today by giving a S.T.A.T.E. Shoutout to our athletics department staff for showcasing our core values: Serve. Together. Act. Transform. Excel.
Over a 17-day stretch, which we are right in the middle of, our team will host more than 30 competitions and events here in Starkville. From the planning and preparation to the production and execution, there are countless details behind every event. I want to sincerely thank our staff and the many individuals who support us on game days for the work they put in to create a first-class experience for our student-athletes and fans.
It takes all of us. And I'm grateful for the way our team continues to deliver!
I also want to share my gratitude to you, our Bulldog Family, who continue to show up and cheer loudly for the young people wearing Maroon and White! Thank you!
With that, there are a lot of opportunities to catch Mississippi State student-athletes in action this weekend in Starkville!
Maroon Friday Matchups:
- Softball played earlier today at 12:30 p.m. and will compete again at 3 p.m. vs. Samford at Nusz Park.
- Baseball is set to start at 4 p.m. today at Dudy Noble Field.
Saturday Matchups:
- Men's Tennis is competing at the A.J. Pitts Tennis Centre at 12 p.m. vs. Vanderbilt.
- Softball will start at 12:30 p.m. at Nusz Park vs. Belmont and then again at 3 p.m. vs. Delaware State.
- The Diamond Dawgs will start the second game of the series vs. Delaware at 1 p.m. at The Dude.
Sunday Matchups:
- Softball plays Delaware State again at 10:30 a.m.
- Baseball starts at 11 a.m. due to Delaware's travel arrangements.
- Women's Tennis hosts No. 29 Alabama at noon at the A.J. Pitts Centre and then Alabama A&M at 3 p.m. later that afternoon.
- I'll see you there!
Despite the weather, last weekend was one for the books. THANK YOU to our fans, and especially our students, for showing Coach O'Connor and the boys a welcome to the 2026 season by setting a program record for opening day attendance at 12,824. It was great to be back in The Dude with each of you.
To top it all off, Josh was named the 2026 Coach Wooden Citizenship Cup Winner! The Coach Wooden Citizenship Cup Award honors student-athletes who embody the values of legendary coach John Wooden, emphasizing integrity, teamwork, academic excellence, and servant leadership both on and off the court.
That is our guy, Josh! His impact extends well beyond his athletic performance. We know he is the shining example of humility, work ethic and dedication to serving others. We are proud of you, Josh!
As the meetings wrapped up, we rushed back to Starkville to attend an invite co-hosted by The Bulldog Club and Bulldog Sports Properties. There I got to visit with great Bulldogs including The Wilson Family. Thanks to the Wilsons for their continued support of Mississippi State University!
On the drive back, I thought of our Delta Dawgs who make the same path multiple times a week to come support our sport programs and teams. I know the drives are long, but your commitment and time coming to support us means the world. As you get on Highway 82 to head to Starkville, just know that each and every time - I am grateful to you! Not only our Delta Dawgs, but to each of you who make the drive, take the time, and dedicate your resources to supporting MSU - we thank you!
Let's have a great weekend - 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