Mullen To Embark On
STARKVILLE, Miss. ? Mississippi State head football coach Dan Mullen will headline the university's third annual "Road Dawgs Tour," joining university and athletic department officials on a 17-stop trek across the Southeast beginning in late April.
The tour will make in-state stops at Clarksdale, Columbus, Corinth, Greenwood, Jackson, Laurel, McComb, Natchez, Ocean Springs and Vicksburg. Out-of-state destinations include Birmingham and Huntsville, Ala., Memphis, New Orleans, Houston and Dallas along with Jackson, Tenn. Mullen will be at each stop. He will be joined by representatives from the athletic department, alumni association, Bulldog Club and admissions and scholarships office. The tour is being sponsored by the Bulldog Club, the MSU Alumni Association, and participating alumni chapters.
"This is a wonderful way to take the energy and excitement of Mississippi State on the road," said Jimmy Abraham, executive director of the MSU Alumni Association. "We look forward to sharing all of the great things happening at our university right now with our alumni and friends."
Director of Athletics Greg Byrne said the opportunity to travel to see alumni and fans is important to the success of the department. “It’s vital to reach out during the late spring and summer and show everyone in the Mississippi State family how important they are to our continued success,” Byrne said.
According to NCAA legislation, head football coaches cannot have any contact with high school coaches or prospects during the time that Mullen will be traveling with the Road Dawgs Tour.
“The turnout and support at all of our previous alumni visits have been nothing short of phenomenal and I have no doubt that will continue on the Road Dawgs Tour,” Mullen said. “Hopefully this will also be a good way to see many familiar faces that made the trip to our Maroon-White Spring Game on April 18.”
Mullen’s first Mississippi State team will begin spring practice on March 24 and end their spring drills with the Maroon-White Game as part of Super Bulldog Weekend on April 18.
2009 ROAD DAWGS TOUR
April 27 ? Memphis
April 28 ? Vicksburg (Lunch)
April 28 ? Jackson “Evening in Maroon”
April 29 ? Houston, Texas
April 30 ? Dallas, Texas
May 5 ? Clarksdale (Lunch)
May 5 ? Greenwood
May 6 ? Natchez (Lunch)
May 6 ? New Orleans
May 7 ? McComb
May 11 ? Laurel (Lunch)
May 11 ? Ocean Springs
May 13 ? Jackson, Tenn. (Lunch)
May 13 ? Corinth
May 18 ? Birmingham
May 19 - Huntsville