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BLACK UNIFORMS ARE COOL

First off, thank you to everyone that was at Davis Wade Stadium Saturday as we set another stadium attendance record.  The atmosphere was once again electric and something for us to continue to build upon for our future. 

Since the game was over Saturday we have received a lot of reaction to the black uniforms that were unveiled, and most of it was positive.

Coach Mullen and a few of us staff members started discussing black uniforms this summer after Jamar Chaney made a request to wear them on behalf of the team.  We knew if our team wore them there would be strong opinions but we also know that can be the case for almost any decision we make.  So from there I gave the approval for us to wear them this year and Coach Mullen decided on the Alabama game. 

Coach Mullen asked me to be in the locker room, while he did the interview on the video board, as the team came in at the 20 minute mark after warm-ups.  As they filed into the locker room I told them to get to their locker to see their surprise we had gotten for them for all of their hard work this year.  Excitement barely describes the emotion the team had when they saw and learned of the uniforms for the first time.  They were very appreciative to get a chance to wear the uniforms and it did nothing but fire them up even more for their entry onto Scott Field. 

The other group that was very enthused about the uniforms were the recruits that were in attendance Saturday.  Coach Mullen and I often are by the locker room doors after the game as the recruits file into the locker room.  I will usually quickly ask them about their experience they had during the game and most of them will comment on how much they liked our video board and our team's style of play.  Saturday, they commented just as much about the uniforms as they did the video board. 

The reality of our world is that our teams and recruits think the black uniforms are "cool."  We want Mississippi State to be a fun, cool and exciting place, and the types of uniforms worn by our teams are seen by thousands and thousands of people.  The uniforms are another piece of the puzzle that helps shape opinions about our institution. 

We knew that the uniforms were not going to have an impact on the outcome of the game Saturday.   We know that the great majority of the time we will be wearing Maroon & White at home.  We work tirelessly in fostering an environment and experience that the fans will enjoy and we also want to do the same thing for our teams and recruits. 

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TAKING PRIDE IN YOUR ATHLETIC PROGRAM

We continue to receive emails from our fans upset about the number of visiting fans in donor seating areas, or other locations that we hope would be limited to Mississippi State folks.  Throughout this season, we have received many complaints that LSU fans, Florida fans, and most recently, Alabama fans in the Bulldog Club sections, club level, in faculty/staff seating, and in the student section.  We feel confident that most of those individuals received tickets from Bulldog fans and students to enter those areas.

We understand that there may be occurrences where you may have a friend or family member tied to another school.  In that case, we want to develop a culture in which visiting fans treat our fans with respect in those areas, the kind of treatment we would expect on the road.  We are working hard to give the Mississippi State supporter that kind of athletic program, where our demand is so strong, that you will not allow your tickets to fall into the wrong hands.

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SPEAKING OF TICKETS, BE CAREFUL WHERE YOU GET THEM

We have long had an issue with the re-sale of tickets on our campus, not just in football, but in basketball and even baseball, too.

Unfortunately, we had another ticket challenge occur this past Saturday at Davis Wade Stadium.  We became aware shortly before kickoff that there were actually counterfeit tickets being sold on the campus.  We are not required to find suitable accommodations for fans who hold illegal tickets.  However, in this instance, we allowed those individuals who purchased counterfeit tickets to remain in the stadium, but we directed them to standing room only areas.  We may not be able to provide that kind of service in the future.  We are actively pursuing this illegal activity through various law enforcement agencies in Mississippi, as well as Alabama.

The lesson to be learned here is to be very careful where you purchase your tickets.  Obviously, we would love to alleviate that problem in the future by having those fans buy season tickets.

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CLUB/SUITE SERVICE AGAIN AROUND WALK-THROUGH

Once again next week, we will permit suite and club level servicing around our football team's walk through in Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field on Friday.  Service for those two areas may be conducted from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. until 7 p.m.

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YOU MAY SUPPORT US; IT DOESN'T ALWAYS TAKE MONEY

Interested individuals can make a donation to the Bulldog Club without writing a check.  Real estate is an often overlooked method of making a charitable gift to Mississippi State athletics.

Donors can transform their real estate into a meaningful gift for the university.  Residential or vacation homes, condominiums, timberland or recreational property, all may be donated for Bulldog Club credit.

For more information, please contact the Bulldog Club at 662-325-3074.

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"WHAT WOULD WE BE DOING TODAY?"

I ran into Bulldog fans Mr. and Mrs. Godbold this past weekend who were up for all the activities we had ongoing on campus.  I first saw them at the volleyball game at Newell-Grissom on Sunday, and then ran into them again at the women's basketball game.  Finally, I saw them at the baseball Maroon/White World Series at Dudy Noble Field - three sporting events in one day.  The Godbold's are a retired couple, and when I mentioned that I had seen them at three different athletic facilities in one day, they said:  "We're retired.  What would we be doing today if we stayed at home?  This is so much more fun!"

We hope that Starkville will continue to grow in all aspects.  A strong retirement community is an important part in growing our fan base.

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WE APPRECIATE YOU NOTICING

From the many emails we received this past weekend, this one brought a smile to our faces...

"Dear Mr. Byrne,

My 8 year old grandson, Chaz, started 2 weeks ago asking me to take him to the Alabama - Mississippi State football game.  I told him I would try to get tickets. After having friends look all over North Mississippi we were
unable to locate any tickets.  He persisted in wanting to go so I told him we would go to the game and try to buy tickets there.  This would be his first college football experience.

We arrived on campus about 2:00 and tailgated, just the two of us.  Then we walked around and visited with friends and took in the activities.  He wanted to watch the players file into the locker room and we did that.  He got a  glimpse of Coach Mullen and Tyson Lee.  We were having a great time.  We purchased 2 tickets from a man outside the stadium and decided to go in early and watch the teams warm up.  This was his idea because he didn't want to miss a thing.

Well, our tickets wouldn't scan.  I am not sure exactly what the problem was. The lady at the gate asked us to go to another place where they again tried to scan the tickets.  Wouldn't scan.  By this time I was beginning to think we
might not get in the game.  After about 20 minutes the gentleman that was helping us returned and gave us 2 tickets.  He was courteous and helpful, telling us where to go, etc.

I can't begin to tell you how kindly we were treated.  From the original scanner at the stadium to the ticket people that helped us with the tickets. They took their time, were courteous, and treated us like we were important to them.  We had great seats and had an experience that neither of us will ever forget.  I am so sorry I didn't get the name of the people that helped us, especially the young lady at the computer table.

I just wanted to let you know how grateful this granddad is to the Mississippi State family for helping Chaz and me have a memorable experience.  We will never forget it.  I think you made a lifetime Bulldog out of Chaz.

Go Dawgs,

CHARLIE FARRAR
Columbus, Mississippi"

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GIVE THANKS NEXT WEEK...NO THURSDAY COLUMN

We will take next Thursday off to give thanks for the many blessings we enjoy every day.  The column will return in December.

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TOMORROW IS FRIDAY...ARE YOU IN THE MAROON?

As we move into winter and colder temperatures, Fridays are the perfect day to break out those maroon sweaters and jackets.

Are you in the Maroon?

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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 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!

Greg Byrne
byrne@athletics.msstate.edu
Follow me on Twitter (@Greg_Byrne)