Wednesday Bulldog Update - 4/25/12
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A SUPER BULLDOG WEEKEND REVIEW
I hope that everyone had an enjoyable Super Bulldog Weekend Presented by Regions Bank. Coach John Cohen and his baseball team’s sweep of Tennessee and Coach Vann Stuedeman and her softball team’s sweep of Kentucky were certainly enjoyable…and both drew great crowds to all three games of their respective series. The SEC men’s tennis tournament also brought many to our campus for the first time and provided top-flight national competition. We’re certainly proud of Coach Per Nilsson’s Western Division champion men’s tennis team. Coach Dan Mullen and his football team were exciting and entertaining, and I think everyone who watched the annual Maroon and White spring game has a great anticipation for next fall. Finally, Sugarland provided a unique addition to Super Bulldog Weekend that entertained the fans at Davis Wade Stadium.
It was great to have new men’s head basketball coach Rick Ray on hand to throw out the first pitch prior to Thursday night’s series-opening baseball game. Our baseball team has now won four straight games – including last night’s 5-0 victory over Southern Miss at Trustmark Park in Pearl – and has a big weekend series upcoming at Dudy Noble Field against Ole Miss. The softball team has now won eight straight, including back-to-back weekend SEC series sweeps. Both have post-season plans and seem to be hitting their strides as we move into the latter portion of the season. And both men’s tennis and men’s track and field continue to be ranked in the nation’s top 10.
Thank you for coming to campus and making the weekend so special. It’s always more fun when all of Our State gets together. As we like to say around here, it’s a great time to be a Bulldog!
A LOOK AHEAD TO SUPER BULLDOG WEEKEND 2013
We will begin within the next few weeks a comprehensive review of Super Bulldog Weekend Presented by Regions 2012 and begin looking toward the SBW 2013. This review will cover all aspects of the weekend as we look to enhance the things we did well while searching for ways to be different and better. The SEC baseball schedule and the four-week spring football practice calendar will obviously play a huge role in determining the date.
Some have asked that we again consider a post-football game concert, some have asked that we move the location of the concert from the stadium, and some have asked that a concert not be included. All of those suggestions will be considered. The concert idea had been kicked around previously with our staff; in fact, a concert had been part of early SBWs. The opportunity to add a concert this year in the stadium allowed us to attract a “name” performing artist due to the potential for a large crowd that other venues might not afford. The decision to do the concert in the stadium was made easier, too, by the fact that we are removing the sod from the stadium’s playing surface and doing some other field renovations during this off-season. And finally, including the concert as part of the spring football game allowed us to one-ticket an event that recruits could attend.
I’d like to address couple of things people have mentioned about the Sugarland concert. First, despite a very minimal chance of rain in the forecast, the decision was made by the band’s personnel to cover on-stage equipment with tents. Those tents partially obscured viewing for some seats that should have been prime seating. Fortunately, most, if not all, of those concert-goers sitting there were able to move to locations with better viewing angles.
The band also made the decision not to erect contracted video screens due to sometimes-gusty winds, which would have helped those farther from the stage see the talent. However, also by contract, we were not permitted to use the video board at the south end of the stadium. In the future, we will be certain to address those possible issues prior to the event.
As we have said many times, we will always look for new and innovative ways to entertain our fans and provide them a great experience when they visit campus.
REMINDER: MAY 1 DEADLINE FOR BULLDOG CLUB, TICKETS
Please remember that the May 1 deadline for ordering your football season tickets and making contribution adjustments through the Bulldog Club for priority consideration is now just one week away.
Football season ticket re-orders generally run in the 95-97 percent range, and with the excitement in our football program running high, this season should be no different. Please don’t miss the deadline.
Likewise, if you care to make an increase in your giving level, prior to May 1 is the time to do it. Donation increases help establish a better priority for season tickets.
You may have seen in a recent column that we have waiting lists for season tickets in all areas – general public, faculty/staff, regular chair backs, club level and suites. Mike Richey, Sr. Associate AD for Bulldog Club and Ticket Operations, announced this week that we have more than 1,200 total accounts (probably close to 5,000 tickets) on various waiting lists. Even those on the waiting list for season tickets should consider an increase in giving, as it will also help those still awaiting the opportunity to purchase season tickets for the first time.
FIREWORKS SET FOR FRIDAY NIGHT
For the second-straight weekend, fans at our series-opening SEC baseball game will be treated to a fireworks display following the conclusion of Friday’s game against our friends from Oxford. Last week’s fireworks show after the extra-winning Thursday night win over Tennessee was outstanding, so make plans to come out and stick around after the game.
WEAR YOUR COLORS FOR ANOTHER BIG HOME WEEKEND
Baseball plays Ole Miss this weekend, and softball has its senior day pre-game Saturday. It’s a great time to show your true colors. Are you in the maroon?
THIS WEEKEND’S MISSISSIPPI STATE HOME SCHEDULE
Friday, April 27 – Baseball v Ole Miss, 7 pm (fireworks to follow)
Saturday, April 28 – Softball v Tennessee Tech, 1 pm (DH); Baseball v Ole Miss, 2 pm
Sunday, April 29 – Baseball v Ole Miss, 1:30 pm
We appreciate what you do for Mississippi State Athletics and want to encourage you to get others involved. There are three things you can do to help the athletic department at Mississippi State reach its desired goals –
1. Buy Season Tickets
2. Financially Support the Bulldog Club
3. Get Others To Do The Same
Thanks for taking the time to read this Update.
Go Dawgs!
Scott Stricklin