MSU Super Bulldog Weekend Activities Set
As the spring homecoming weekend begins its second decade on the MSU campus,the 2005 version will offer the same kind of enjoyment for the Bulldog fan.The 20th annual SBW begins Friday, April 8, and runs through Sunday, April10.
Sylvester Croom's football team will again highlight the weekend'sactivities, playing its final spring scrimmage Saturday at 1 p.m. Thisyear, the event has drawn the attention of ESPN2, which will televise thegame for the first time ever. Tickets may be purchased at the gate, whichwill open at noon, and fans are encouraged to sit on the east side of thestadium.
Head coach Ron Polk's baseball team plays a weekend series with Auburn. TheDiamond Dawgs will entertain the Tigers at Dudy Noble Field/Polk-DementStadium on Friday at 6:30 p.m., Saturday at 3 p.m., and Sunday at 1:30 p.m.
While football and baseball have long been staples of SBW activities,another old favorite returns. The 20th annual Pig Cooking Contest will onceagain take place on the MSU campus. Pig cookers can begin setting up theirrigs at 8 a.m. Friday, with the contest running 9 a.m. to 12 noon onSaturday. MSU fans are encouraged to enjoy a fine sampling from the grillfrom 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, courtesy of the Mississippi Pork Producers,Bryan Foods and Mississippi Farm Bureau.
State's nationally ranked men's tennis team will play host to Florida at 2p.m. on Friday and South Carolina at 1 p.m. on Sunday. MSU's soccer teamwill hold an alumni game, beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday to round out theathletic competition.
The MSU State Farm Fan Fair, featuring interactive games and exhibits, willrun from 9 a.m. until noon on Saturday just west of Scott Field.
Additionally, the dedication of the Shira Athletic Complex expansion and theceremonial groundbreaking for the Cullis Wade Museum and Bookstore Centerwill be held Saturday. The former will begin at 10:30 a.m. in the new TeamMeeting Room of Shira, while the latter will be held at 12 noon near thepig-cooking activities just west of the football stadium.
The traditional media contingent that covers the Bulldog football team dailyat practice was joined Thursday by more than 150 high school and juniorcollege coaches throughout the South on the campus for State's footballcoaching clinic. Those coaches in attendance were scheduled to hear guestspeaker and former Auburn head coach Pat Dye Thursday night and remain formore activities Friday.
MState worked for nearly three hours Thursday on the practice fields,spending much of the final portion of the workout in full-speed goal linescrimmage work.
"We had a hard day, but a good day," Croom said. "We're a little leg wearyright now, but that's what spring training is all about. I was pleased withthe effort, but that's what they're here for. There's some limping andfrowning, but when you push through all that it gives you pride to wear themaroon jersey. All in all, we're making progress."