Thursdays With Greg Byrne - 2/5/09

IT’S A GREAT DAY TO BE A BULLDOG

We are proud to be Mississippi State Bulldogs each and every day of the year, but everyone who wears the Maroon and White had to be especially excited during the 20-hour period from early evening Tuesday through mid-day Wednesday.

Within that time frame, coach Rick Stansbury and his Bulldog basketball team beat Kentucky 66-57, in Rupp Arena in Lexington, Ky., on Tuesday night.  It was a special win for our team.  We have only beaten Kentucky one other time in Rupp – 14 years ago.  And you know it had to be a special win for coach Stansbury, who grew up in the Bluegrass State.

Here’s hoping we fill the Hump again Saturday when Arkansas comes to town.  Tip-off is set for 2 p.m.

By lunch time Wednesday, head football coach Dan Mullen and his staff had put the final touches on a great recruiting class, one that has been ranked in the nation’s top 25 by all of the recruiting services.  The best part about the class is that eight of its members are already on campus, working out in our strength and conditioning program, and ready to go through spring practice which starts next month.

Coach Mullen and some of his assistant coaches appeared before overflow crowds at signing day parties in Starkville, Jackson, Meridian and Tupelo.  It was great to see many of you out at those functions.

A number of you picked up Bulldog Club membership forms, and some even sent us home with contributions.  We need those of you that picked up forms to complete those and send them back to the Bulldog Club.

WOMEN’S HOOPS HAVE TWO BIG GAMES AS WELL

Coach Sharon Fanning’s women’s basketball team has a couple of big games this week as they try to position themselves for an NCAA tournament invitation.  The Lady Bulldogs play Vanderbilt tonight at the Hump at 7 p.m., and Sunday in the Coliseum at 2 p.m.  Try to get out and support our team this week.

SOFTBALL, TENNIS ALSO IN ACTION

Coach Jay Miller’s softball team opens its season this weekend, hosting the Bulldog Round Robin.  Our team, which has been a regular participant in the NCAA Tournament, plays Kennesaw State at 3 p.m. tomorrow, and Louisiana Monroe and Iona at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., respectively, on Saturday.  They will also play a 1 p.m. game Sunday against one of those teams.  All games are scheduled for the MSU Softball Field.

Coach Per Nilsson’s men’s tennis team will battle Ole Miss tonight in Jackson in the River Hills Cup at River Hills Club.

Coach Tracy Lane's women's tennis team, off to a good 3-0 start this season, will host Troy Saturday at 1 p.m.

MAKE THIS BASEBALL GAME TIME CHANGE

We have made a game time change on our baseball schedule to better accommodate our fans. Our game with Nicholls State, scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 28, will begin at 1 p.m., one hour earlier than the published time.  This will assure those that want to attend the baseball game will be able to get to men’s basketball game than night against Auburn at 5 p.m.  Remember, though, that men’s basketball will have priority on reserved parking that day.

COMPLIANCE PAGE RECEIVES AN UPGRADE

As we have stated previously, adherence to NCAA, SEC, and MSU rules is a priority in our department.  In an effort to improve communication and cooperation we have changed the compliance page on our athletics website. 

In it you will find links for contact information, current student-athletes, prospective student-athletes, boosters, alumni and fans, and a question of the month.  We would like everyone to visit this site and read the information that is available.  And if you should ever have any questions about NCAA, SEC or MSU rules and regulations, please do not hesitate to contact our compliance office.

VOLUNTEER FUND DRIVE CONTINUES TO GROW

The Bulldog Club staff reports that we have now signed up 60 volunteers for the annual fund drive, and that individually, some of our members are already doing a great job in helping us reach our goals.  Jimmy McPherson of Starkville has already signed up 15 new members for 2009.

Join the volunteer fund drive and build your points by soliciting new membership for the Bulldog Club.  Great prizes are also being provided to those who recruit the most new members.  This is a proven way to grow our membership and provide the resources we need to have the kind of athletic program we all want.

If you are interested in helping with this year’s volunteer fund drive, please contact Bart Gregory with the Bulldog Club at 662-325-3594 or bgregory@athletics.msstate.edu.

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