T ABLE OF CONTENTS

1100 ooutlookutlook 1188 mmeeteet thethe playersplayers 4488 mmeeteet thethe staffstaff GENERAL INFORMATION 2009-10 Road Headquarters ______56 Assists/Blocks/Steals Records ______107 Table of Contents ______1 Basketball Support Staff ______57-58 MSU Yearly Leaders ______108-109 Decade of Champions ______2-3 Dr. Mark E. Keenum/Greg Byrne ______59 MSU Freshman Season Records ______110 Quick Facts ______4 MSU Administration/Head Coaches ______60 MSU Opponent Records ______111 Media Relations Staff ______5 MSU Team Records ______112 OPPONENTS Media Information ______6 SEC Statistical Titles & Leaders ______113 Rider/Southeastern Louisiana Media Outlets ______7 MSU Team Superlatives ______114-115 Bethune-Cookman/Texas-Pan American _____62 MSU Radio ______8 Team Season Highs ______116-117 Richmond/Old Dominion Starkville ______9 MSU Team Statistical Trends ______118-119 Missouri/St. Bonaventure ______63 Humphrey Coliseum Records ______120-121 OUTLOOK/MSU PLAYERS DePaul/UCLA 2,000-Point Scoring Club ______122-123 2009-10 Outlook ______10-13 Wright State/Houston ______64 1,000-Point Scoring Club ______124-130 Notes From 2008-09 ______14 Centenary/ Valley State 2009-10 Team Photo/Breakdown ______15 San Diego/Western Kentucky ______65 HISTORY 2009-10 Roster ______16 Ole Miss/Arkansas MSU Honor Roll ______132-133 2009-10 TV & Radio Roster ______17 Georgia/Alabama ______66 Bulldogs in the NBA ______134-135 Senior Barry Stewart ______18-19 LSU/Vanderbilt Hall of Famer Bailey Howell ______136 Senior ______20-21 Florida/Auburn ______67 Postseason Tournament Records ______137 Junior Kodi Augustus ______22-23 Kentucky/South Carolina Postseason Tournament History ______138-143 Junior Elgin Bailey ______24-25 Tennessee/SEC Contact ______68 SEC Tournament Records ______144 Junior Riley Benock ______26-27 SEC Series Scores ______69-76 In-Season Tournament History ______145-146 Junior Ravern Johnson ______28-29 SEC Series Breakdown ______77-78 Yearly Records ______147 Junior Phil Turner ______30-31 Coaching History ______148 REVIEW Sophomore Twany Beckham ______32-33 All-Time Lettermen/Team Captains ______149-150 2008-09 Season Review ______80 Sophomore Dee Bost ______34-35 All-Time Results______152 2008-09 Statistics ______81 Sophomore Romero Osby ______36-37 Non-SEC Seris Records ______153-162 2008-09 Results ______82 Freshman Wendell Lewis ______38 All-Time Results______163-176 2008-09 Superlatives ______83 Freshman John Riek ______39 MSU Basketball History ______177-186 2008-09 Miscellaneous Stats ______84 Freshman Renardo Sidney ______40 2008-09 Box Scores ______85-96 MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY Freshman Shaun Smith ______41 2008-09 SEC Standings & Honors ______97 MSU History ______188-189 Walkons Brandon Bolen/Taylor Luczak ______42 2008-09 SEC Individual Statistics ______98 Mississippi State Traditions ______190-191 Walkons Charles Parker/Baxter Price ______43 2008-09 SEC Team Statistics ______99 Humphrey Coliseum ______192-193 Player Career Statistics vs. SEC ______44-46 Athletic Excellence ______194-203 RECORDS New Basketball Practice Facility ______204-205 STAFF Individual Records ______101 Head Coach Rick Stansbury ______48-52 Scoring Records ______102 SEC/NCAA Associate Head Coach Robert Kirby ______53 Field Goal Records ______103 SEC Composite Schedule ______206 Assistant Coach Phil Cunningham ______54 3-Point Field Goal Records ______104 2010 SEC Tournament ______207 Assistant Coach Marcus Grant ______55 Free Throw Records ______105 2010 NCAA Tournament Bracket ______208 Coord. of Basketball Ops Talvis Franklin ______56 Rebounding Records ______106

ON THE COVER CREDITS The 2009-10 Mississippi State Men’s Basketball Media Guide is a product of the Media Relations Offi ce, published by the Mississippi State University Athletic Department.

EDITOR: Gregg Ellis, Assistant Media Relations Director GRAPHIC/COVER DESIGN: John Schaffhauser, Schaffhauser Design (Madison, Miss.) EDITORIAL ASSISTANCE: Sam Anderson, Janelle Finley, Amy Robertson, Tyson Rodgers, Lee VanHorn, Jacob Thames, Christina Hilliard, Jamal Davis and Kurt Wirth, with additional assistance provided by the MSU Department of University Relations; the MSU Department of Archives; the Greater Starkville Development Partnership offi ce; the staffs at Adidas and Balfour; the various media relations departments within the National Basketball Association, along with the NCAA and SEC. PHOTOGRAPHY: Associated Press, Charles W. Alliston, Dan Avila, Megan Bean, Kenny Billings, Gary Dogdon, Joe Collins, Da- vid Coyle, Robert Crawford, Joe Dier, Fred Faulk, Mansel Guerry, Jim Henson, Paul Hollis, Russ Houston, Wendell M. Hughes, Laughead Photographers, Barry Lawrence, Bob Leverone, Richard Lewis, Brian Allen Loden, Darrell McAllister, Patrick merrill, Mis- sissippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum, Chris Mooney, R.D. Moore, Layne Murdoch, Joe Murphy/NBA/Getty Images, NBA Photos, Front Cover Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, Clint Parrish, Dick Raphael, Joe Ray Roberson, Bob Rosata, Bill Simmonds, Bob Smith/ Photo/Adrenaline.com, Breck Smither, Nicole Sweet, Jason Szenes, Time Inc., and David Allen Williams. Since 2002, Mississippi State has won four Western PRINTING: Interstate Printing of Mobile, Ala. Division crowns, two SEC Tournaments and one overall regular-season title. Mississippi State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation or group affi liation, age, disability or veteran status. Dr. Mary Alexander, Director of the Offi ce of Diversity and Equity Progams [McArthur Hall, Room 106, P.O. Box 6199, Mississippi State, MS 39762/662-325-2493], is the designated employee responsible to coordinate efforts to carry out responsibilities and make investigations of complaints relating to discrimination in conforming with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Sections 503 and 5-4 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1974, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. 1 ddecadeecade ofof cchampionshipshampionships 2007 2003 20092008 2005 2002 2004

2 decade of championships SSinceince 22002002 . . . 4 WWesternestern DDivisionivision CCrownsrowns 2 SECSEC TournamentTournament TTitlesitles 1 OOverallverall SSECEC CChampionshiphampionship

3 Q UICK FACTS GENERAL INFORMATION A LOOK AT THE TEAM Lettermen Lost (4) Location: ______Starkville, Mississippi Starters Returning (5) Rod Bryant (6-1, 165, So., G) 0.0 ppg, 0.0 rpg. (3 games) Founded: ______February 28, 1878 Dee Bost (6-2, 170, So., G) Christopher Gay (6-0, 180, Sr., G) Enrollment: ______18,601 10.9 ppg., 4.3 apg. (36 games) 0.6 ppg., 0.1 rpg. (12 games) Conference: ______SEC (Western Division) Ravern Johnson (6-7, 175, Jr., G) 12.1 ppg., 3.1 rpg. (36 games) Jacquiese Holcombe (6-6, 205, Jr. F) Nickname: ______Bulldogs Barry Stewart (6-3, 170, Sr., G) 3.0 ppg., 2.0 rpg. (7 games) Colors: ______Maroon (PMS 202) & White 12.4 ppg., 3.8 rpg. (36 games) Brian Johnson (6-9, 235, Sr., F) Arena: ______Humphrey Coliseum (10,500) Phil Turner (6-3, 170, Jr., G) 2.7 ppg., 2.1 rpg. (21 games) President: ______Dr. Mark E. Keenum 8.5 ppg., 5.5 rpg. (36 games) Director of Athletics: ______Greg Byrne Jarvis Varnado (6-9, 210, Sr., F) ^ Walk-on Faculty Representative: _Dr. Steven C. Turner 12.9 ppg., 8.8 rpg., 4.7 bpg. (36 games) RETURNING TEAM STATS BASKETBALL HISTORY Other Lettermen Returning (7) Percentage of Scoring: ____96.9 (2593/2677) First Year of Basketball: ______1908-09 Kodi Augustus (6-8, 220, Jr., F) Percentage of Rebounds: __95.7 (1325/1385) Number of Seasons: ______97 6.2 ppg., 3.4 rpg. (25 games) Percentage of Field Goals: ___96.7 (861/890) Percentage of 3-Point FGs: __99.3 (294/296) All-Time Record: ______1,248-1,044 Twany Beckham (6-5, 190, So., G) 1.6 ppg., 1.5 rpg. (33 games) Percentage of Free Throws: __95.8 (576/601) All-Time SEC Record: ______525-675 Riley Benock (6-4, 180, Jr., G) Percentage of Assists: ______98.0 (438/447) Total Number of Head Coaches: ______18 2.3 ppg., 0.9 rpg. (36 games) Percentage of Steals: ______96.8 (242/250) Humphrey Coliseum Record: ______341-131 Brandon Bolen (6-3, 195, Jr., G) ^ Percentage of Blocks: ______97.8 (265/271) 20-Win Seasons: ______14 0.2 ppg., 0.1 rpg. (13 games) Percentage of Minutes: ____96.1 (7041/7325) NCAA Tournament Appearances: ______10 Elgin Bailey (6-8, 265, Jr., F/C) NCAA Tournament Record: ______11-10 3.9 ppg., 2.4 rpg. (27 games) RETURNING TEAM STATS NCAA Tournament Final Fours: ______1 Taylor Luczak (6-8, 220, So., F) ^ Points: ______Jarvis Varnado (464, 12.9) (1996, lost to Syracuse 77-69 in semis) 0.4 ppg., 0.3 rpg. (10 games) Rebounds: ______Jarvis Varnado (317, 8.8) NIT Appearances: ______6 Romero Osby (6-8, 230, So., F) Assists: ______Dee Bost (156, 4.3) NIT Record: ______6-6 4.1 ppg., 2.6 rpg. (36 games) Steals: ______Dee Bost (52, 1.4) NIT Final Fours: ______1 Blocks: ______Jarvis Varnado (170, 4.7) Newcomers (6) (2007, lost 63-62 to West Virginia in semis) FG %: ______Jarvis Varnado 54.9 (180-328) Wendell Lewis (6-8, 240, Fr., C) 3-Point %: ___ Ravern Johnson 39.5 (83-210) SEC Championships: ______6 Charles Parker (5-10, 154, Fr., G) ^ FT %: ______Ravern Johnson 84.8 (39-46) (2004, 1991, 1963, 1962, 1961, 1959) Baxter Price (5-9, 145, Fr., G) ^ Minutes: ______Barry Stewart 1138 (31.6) SEC Tournament Championships: ______3 John Riek (7-1, 242, Fr., F) (2009, 2002 and 1996) Renardo Sidney (6-10, 270, Fr., F) SEC Tournament Record: ______25-46 Shaun Smith (6-6, 195, Fr., G) SEC Western Division Titles: ______6 (2008, 2007, 2004, 2003, 1996, 1995) HUMPHREY COLISEUM DIAGRAM BASKETBALL STAFF Head Coach: Rick Stansbury Alma Mater, Year: Campbellsville, 1982 Record at MSU/Years: 231-128/11 Career Record/Years: 231-128/11 Phone: 662-325-3800 Assistant Coach: Robert Kirby Assistant Coach: Phil Cunningham Assistant Coach: Marcus Grant Director of Operations: Talvis Franklin Video Coordinator: Bennie Ashford Strength Coach: Richard Akins Athletic Trainer: Scotty Johnson Administrative Asst.: Suzanne Cook Media Relations Contact: Gregg Ellis Phone: 662-325-3595 Fax: 662-325-3654 Email: [email protected]

TEAM INFORMATION 2008-09 Overall Record 23-13 2008-09 SEC Record 9-7 SEC Finish: 3rd (Western Division) National Ranking: n/a Key Coliseum Locations Starters Returning/Lost: 5/0 Media Entrance: Northside behind baseball fi eld. Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 12/4 Media Will Call: In hallway of media entrance. Newcomers: 6 Media Room: First door on left after media entrance. Roster (Sr./Jr/So./Fr.): (2/6/4/6) Interview Room: Located in back of Media Room. 4 M EDIA RELATIONS STAFF

ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS 2009-10 STAFF DIRECTORY Mike Nemeth John R. Cade Gregg Ellis Senior AD Assistant AD Assistant Director HUMPHREY COLISEUM Basketball SID Phone: 662.325.0540; Fax: 662.325.3654 BRYAN BUILDING Phone: 662.325.2703; Fax: 662.325.2653 BASEBALL OFFICE BUILDING Phone: 662.325.8040; Fax: 662.325.3600

Name, Title (Offi ce Location) Offi ce Phone/Email Mike Nemeth, Senior AD/Media Relations (B)...... 662.325.2723 [email protected] John R. Cade, Assistant AD/Media Relations (B) ....662.325.0971 Jay Middleton Brock Turnipseed Joe Dier [email protected] Assistant Director Assistant Director Assistant Director Gregg Ellis, Assistant Director (H)...... 662.325.3595 [email protected] Brock Turnipseed, Assistant Director (H) ...... 662.325.7556 [email protected] Jay Middleton, Assistant Director (B) ...... 662.325.0972 [email protected] Joe Dier, Assistant Director (BB) ...... 662.325.8040 [email protected] Joe Galbraith, Senior AD/Media Relations (B) ...... 662.325.0967 [email protected] Joe Galbraith Diane Keith Anne Cooke Assistant Director Admin. Assistant Admin. Assistant Jan Baine, Graduate Assistant (B) ...... 662.325.2703 [email protected] EDIA ELATIONS TUDENT SSISTANTS Janelle Finley, Graduate Assistant (H) ...... 662.325.0540 M R S A [email protected] Diane Keith, Administrative Assistant (H) ...... 662.325.0540 [email protected] Anne Cooke, Administrative Assistant (B) ...... 662.325.2703 [email protected] Offi ce Location: (B) Bryan Athletic Building; (H) Humphrey Coliseum; (BB) Baseball Offi ce Building MEDIA RELATIONS MAILING ADDRESS MSU Media Relations P.O. Box 5308 Mississippi State, MS 39762

OVERNIGHT MAILING ADDRESS Mississippi State University Athletic Media Relations Humphrey Coliseum, Room 202 55 Coliseum Blvd. Mississippi State, MS 39762

Front Row (L-R): Amber Winstead, Mary Allison North, Janelle Finley. Second Row (L-R): Kurt Wirth, Sam Anderson, Jamal Davis, Tra\y Little- fi eld.

5 M EDIA INFORMATION he 2009-10 Mississippi State Men’s need to be concluded 30 minutes before members should contact SEC Associate Basketball Media Guide has been the start of practice. Media Relations Director Craig Pinkerton at Tprepared to assist media members Through MSU Athletic Media Relations, the league offi ce (205-458-3038 or cpinker- in their coverage of the Bulldogs. It is our Bulldog players will be asked to contact [email protected]) for additional information. hope that most of your questions will be media members by phone for pre-arranged answered on the pages of this guide. How- interviews at a mutually agreeable time. TELECONFERENCE SCHEDULE ever, should you desire additional informa- 10:00 a.m. (Vanderbilt) tion or assistance, please contact the MSU HEAD COACH INTERVIEWS 10:07 a.m. (Florida) Athletic Media Relations at 662-325-3595. Media members needing to conduct inter- 10:14 a.m. (South Carolina) views with Mississippi State head basket- 10:21 a.m. Mark Fox (Georgia) MEDIA CREDENTIALS ball coach Rick Stansbury should contact 10:28 a.m. (LSU) Any credential request by accredited out- Gregg Ellis of the Mississippi State Athletic 10:35 a.m. (Kentucky) lets should be made in writing and submit- Media Relations Offi ce by telephone (662- 10:42 a.m. (Tennessee) ted on company letterhead to Gregg Ellis 325-3595) or via e-mail (gellis@athletics. 10:49 a.m. John Pelphrey (Arkansas) by email ([email protected]) or msstate.edu). 10:56 a.m. Anthony Grant (Alabama) fax (662-325-3654). Telephone interviews with Rick Stans- 11:03 a.m. Jeff Lebo (Auburn) Priority for the issuance of credentials bury are best conducted weekdays prior 11:10 a.m. Andy Kennedy (Ole Miss) will be given to daily newspapers, radio to 11:00 a.m. CT. Each Monday during the 11:17 a.m. Rick Stansbury (MSU) stations and television stations that cover SEC slate, Stansbury, along with selected All times Central Mississippi State or MSU’s game-day op- players, will have an on-campus press con- ponent on a regular basis. Due to space ference at 2 p.m. MSU ON THE INTERNET Visit the offi cial Mississippi State Univer- limitations, weekly publications, non-broad- sity Athletics home page on the Internet at casting radio representatives and on-line POST-GAME INTERVIEWS http://www.mstateathletics.com. The site services may not be granted credentials. Located just to the left (at the bottom of provides updated statistics, game notes Student publications, radio stations and the back stairwell) when entering the Hum- and other pertinent basketball information web sites that do not regularly cover MSU phrey Coliseum back entrance via the lower to visitors as well as live statistics and audio or its game-day opponent may be limited parking lot area, the Babe McCarthy Room links. to one working media credential (press or will serve as the media work room and post- The site also offers up-to-date information photo), if applicable. game press conference for MSU coach Rick on all of MSU’s 16 varsity sports, including Stansbury and selected players throughout schedules and results, player and coach bi- the 2009-10 basketball season. MSU ath- MEDIA WILL CALL ographies, as well as the latest news from Credentials for MSU home basketball letic media relations personnel will be on the MSU athletic program. games will be left at the main back entrance hand to assist media members with specifi c In addition, Maroon to the Max, MSU’s of Humphrey Coliseum or with the visiting post-game player interview requests. new multimedia experience, features live team’s SID. Opponent sports information personnel and delayed audio and video streaming of will coordinate the visiting team’s post- selected MSU sports, plus Bulldog coaches’ game player interviews either inside or out- MEDIA PARKING TV shows, press conferences, and much side the visiting team’s locker room. A limited amount of parking spaces re- more. served for the media are available around the exterior of Humphrey Coliseum. Media GAME STATISTICS MSU TWITTERS/BLOGGING Offi cial NCAA boxscores and play-by- members may consult the back of their me- Media and fans can follow MSU tweets play will be handed out at press row and dia parking pass for diagrammed instruc- at both @msuhoopsgregg and @mstate_ in the media work room. Final game books, tions regarding media parking locations. hoops. including boxscores, play-by-plays, shot In-game blogging can also be viewed at charts and post-game quotes and notes, TELEPHONES, WIRELESS www.mstateathletics.com. will be available following each game. AND ETHERNET USE A limited number of telephones are avail- IMPORTANTMPORTANT PHONEHONE NUMBERSUMBERS (A((ACC 662)662)) SATELLITE UPLINKS able for media use before, during and af- MSUM President’sPresident’s Offi cece ...... 325-3221...... 325-3221 The MSU Television Center will uplink ter basketball games on a fi rst-come, fi rst- AAthAthleticletic DirDirector’sector’s OfOffi ce ...... 325-8082...... 325-8082 game highlights and post-game interviews MMenMen’s’s BasBasketballketball OfOffi ccee ...... 325-3800...... 325-3800 served basis in the Media Work Room, following all home games during the 2009- PressPPress Row ...... 325-3776...... 325-3776 located just to the left upon entering the 10 season. Please contact Bennie Ashford AthleticAAthletic MedMediaia RelRelationsations main back entrance of Humphrey Coliseum of the MSU Television Center (662-325- BrBryanyan Building/FootballBuilding/Footballl ...... 325-2703...... 325-2703 through. In addition, wireless service, which CoColiseum/Basketballliseum/Basketballl ...... 325-3595...... 325-3595 1332 or [email protected]) for will require a password, is available. BaBaseballseballl ...... 325-8040...... 325-8040 specifi c details. AthleticAAthletic AdmAdministrationinistration ...... 325-2532...... 325-2532 AthleticAAthletic ProPromotionsmotions OOfffi ce ...... 325-9847...... 325-9847 PLAYER INTERVIEWS SEC TELECONFERENCE AAthAthleticletic TicTicketket Offi cece ...... 325-2600...... 325-2600 In most cases, players will be available Once SEC play starts, all 12 of the BBanBandd DirectorDirector ...... 325-2713...... 325-2713 before practices during the course of the league’s coaches will participate in a con- BBulBulldogldog CClublub ...... 325-3074...... 325-3074 2009-10 basketball season. All media ference-wide teleconference twice weekly GGamGamee Operations/FacilitiesOperations/Facilities ...... 325-7452...... 325-7452 members are encouraged to contact Gregg (every Monday and Thursday) beginning CColColiseumiseum DirDirectorector Offi ce ...... 325-4201...... 325-4201 Ellis of the Mississippi State Athletic Media in January and running through the confer- LLeaLearrfi eld SSportsports ...... 325-8950...... 325-8950 ComplianceCCompliance OOfffi ccee ...... 325-5891...... 325-5891 Relations Offi ce by e-mail (gellis@athlet- Compliance Offi ce ...... 325-5891 ence’s regular season. The teleconferences MSUM TV CeCenternter ...... 325-1332...... 325-1332 ics.msstate.edu) or phone (662-325-3595) will be coordinated through the SEC Media TrainingTTraining RooRoom/Sportsm/Sports MedMedicineicine for player interview requests and practice Relations Offi ce. Following a brief intro- ShiraShira ...... 325-2165...... 325-2165 times throughout the season. Any player duction, each coach will answer questions CoColiseumliseum ...... 325-4108...... 325-4108 interviews conducted prior to daily practices from the media for seven minutes. Media 6 M EDIA OUTLETS

PRINT MEDIA THE ASSOCIATED PRESS MISS 98, 97.5 STARKVILLE DAILY NEWS Phone: 601-948-5897 Phone: 662-842-7658 Phone: 662-323-1642 Sports Writer: Chris Talbott Website: miss98.net Website: [email protected] [email protected] Sports Director: Matt Wyatt Sports Editor: David Miller [email protected] Reporter: Aaron Seidlitz TELEVISION MEDIA WCBI, CBS MSU RADIO CREW THE CLARION-LEDGER Phone: 662-245-0133 PLAY-BY-PLAY: Jack Cristil Phone: 662-617-4340 Website: wcbi.com Phone: 662-842-6095 Website: clarionledger.com Sports Director: Derek Cody Sports Editor: Rusty Hampton [email protected] COLOR ANALYST: Jim Ellis [email protected] Phone: 662-617-2788 Columnist: Rick Cleveland WTVA, NBC [email protected] [email protected] WLOV, FOX Beat Writer: Kyle Veazey Phone: 662-842-7620 CAMPUS MEDIA [email protected] Website: wtva.com THE REFLECTOR Sports Director: Jim Holder Phone: 662-325-8819 NORTHEAST MISSISSIPPI DAILY JOURNAL [email protected] Website: refl ector-online.com Phone: 662-842-2611 Sports Editor: Justin Ammon Website: nemiss360.com WLBT, NBC sports@refl ector.msstate.edu Sports Editor: John Pitts Phone: 601-948-3333, 960-4428 [email protected] Website: wlbt.com WMSV RADIO Beat Writer/Columnist: Brad Locke Sports Director: Rob Jay Phone: 662-325-8481 [email protected] [email protected] GM/Sports Director: Steve Ellis [email protected] THE COMMERCIAL DISPATCH WAPT, ABC Phone: 662-327-1297 Phone: 601-922-1652 MSU TELEVISION CENTER Website: cdispatch.com Website: wapt.com Phone: 662-325-1332 Sports Editor: Adam Minichino Sports Director: Christian Steckel Media Coordinator: Bennie Ashford aminichino@cdispatch [email protected] [email protected] Beat Writer: Danny P. Smith [email protected] WJTV, CBS SPECIALTY MEDIA Phone: 601-944-4921 DAWGS’ BITE THE SUN HERALD Website: wjtv.com Phone: 662-418-3982 Phone: 228-896-2352 Sports Director: Rick Whitlow Website: mississippistate.scout.com Website: sunherald.com [email protected] Editor: David Murray Sports Editor: Doug Barber [email protected] [email protected] RADIO MEDIA Beat Writer/Columnist: Jim Mashek MISSISSIPPI NETWORK SCOUT.COM [email protected] Phone: 601-957-1700; 601-991-2331 Phone: 662-320-8466 Sports Director: Dixon Williams Website: mississippistate.scout.com THE COMMERCIAL APPEAL [email protected] Editor: Gene Swindoll Phone: 901-529-2360 [email protected] Website: commercialappeal.com WFCA RADIO [email protected] Executive Sports Editor: David Williams Phone: 662-547-6414 Beat Writer: Ron Higgins Website: wfcafm108.com BULLDAWG JUNCTION [email protected] Sports Director: Jason Crowder Phone: 662-418-7514 Sports Columnist: Geoff Calkins [email protected] Website: bulldawgjunction.com [email protected] Editor: Michael Wardlaw CUMULUS BROADCASTING [email protected] THE MERIDIAN STAR Phone: 662-327-1183 Phone: 601-693-1551 BULLDOGBLITZ Website: meridianstar.com CLEAR CHANNEL COMMUNICATIONS/WJDX Phone: 662-251-2467 Sports Editor: Rocky Higginbotham Phone: 601-982-1062 Website: bulldogblitz.com [email protected] Website: [email protected] Editor: Logan Lowery News/Program Director: Randy Bell [email protected] THE DAILY STAR Sports Talk Hosts: Doug Colson, Phone: 662-226-4321 Chuck Stinson, Ben Ingram Website: grenadastar.com This page is dedicated to the memo- ry of Don Foster, a Mississippi State Sports Editor: Chuck Hathcock WSFZ 930 AM RADIO 5 Twelve Oaks Circle, Suite A graduate and longtime sportswriter at DAILY TIMES LEADER Jackson, MS 39209 the Starkville Daily News. Don, who Phone: 662-494-1422 Phone: 601-922-9307 passed away this past June, covered Website: dailytimesleader.com FAX: 601-922-5051 the Bulldogs in various capacities for Sports Editor: Jason Browne Sports Talk Host: Bo Bounds nearly 40 years. [email protected] [email protected] 7 MSU RADIO & TELEVISION having been associated with 11 head foot- ball coaches and eight head men’s basket- ball mentors through the years at MSU. Beginning his 27th year with the MSU Bas- ketball Radio Network, color analyst Jim El- lis will again team with Cristil this basketball season to form one of the fi nest broadcast- ing tandems in the SEC. Ellis was named the “Outstanding Broadcaster in Missis- sippi” in both 2002 and 1999. In 2007, he was honored by the Mississippi Chapter of the National Football Hall of Fame for his contributions to amateur football. A native of West Point, Miss., Ellis attends to the behind-the-scenes technical aspects of the operation that keep the broadcasts on the air, in addition to his on-air duties as the Bulldogs’ insightful color commentator. Ellis, a 1969 Mississippi State alumnus, is probably best known as the ever-popular “Voice of the Baseball Bulldogs,” serving as The veteran and legendary tandem of Jack Cristil (right) and Jim Ellis begin their 27th season of broadcasting Bulldog Basketball together on the MSU Radio Network. the producer-director of one of the nation’s largest collegiate baseball radio networks rom the opening tip-off to the fi nal The dean of SEC sportscasters, the per- for the past 31 years. In addition to teaming buzzer, the color and excitement that sonable Jack Cristil begins his 53rd sea- with Cristil on the MSU football and men’s Fis Mississippi State basketball fi lls the son of handling the play-by-play duties for basketball radio broadcasts, Ellis in the past airwaves across the Mid-South again this Bulldog basketball. The Memphis, Tenn., handled play-by-play chores for the Lady season thanks to the MSU Basketball Radio native recently completed his 57th season Bulldog basketball team, a job that now be- Network. Linking nearly 30 radio stations, of broadcasting Mississippi State football longs to Bart Gregory. During his stint at his the satellite-fed broadcast signal blankets since being hired by legendary MSU athlet- alma mater, Ellis has also handled the play- the Magnolia State. Network programming ic director C.R. “Dudy” Noble in the summer by-play basketball and football duties for is distributed and coordinated through the of 1953. various national and regional TV networks. facilities of Learfi eld Sports, Inc., headquar- A veteran of more than 2,000 MSU foot- tered in Jefferson City, Mo. ball and basketball broadcasts, Cristil is one MSU BASKETBALL During the 2009-10 Mississippi State of the South’s most distinguished and most RADIO NETWORK sports season, WFCA- honored sports broad- (Affi liate listing as of October of 2009) MISSISSIPPI STATE BASKETBALL FM (107.9), a 100,000- casters, having been City/Town Station Frequency watt station located in WITH RICK STANSBURY chosen by his peers in Aberdeen ...... WWZQ-AM ...... 1240 French Camp, Miss., will Returning for its 12th season is the the broadcasting indus- Amory ...... WAMY-AM ...... 1580 again serve as the fl ag- popular “Mississippi State Basketball with try as the “Outstanding Batesville ...... WBLE-FM ...... 100.5 ship station for the Bull- Rick Stansbury,” a 30-minute television Sportscaster in Missis- program featuring MSU’s 12th-year caoch Biloxi ...... WTNI-AM ...... 1640 dog Radio Network. The sippi” a record 21 times Rick Stansbury and his 2009-10 squad. Booneville ...... WBVV-FM...... 99.3 station, which blankets during his illustrious Hosted by veteran sportscaster Jack Bude ...... WMJU-FM ...... 104.3 most of the north cen- career. In 1992, Cristil Cristil, the weekly show will feature game Cleveland ...... WMJW-FM ...... 107.5 tral portion of the state, became the fi rst non- highlights, player interviews, scouting re- Columbia ...... WCJU-FM...... 104.9 is scheduled to air every ports on upcoming opponents and court- athlete/non-athletic ad- Corinth ...... WKCU-AM ...... 1350 Bulldog basketball game side profi les showcasing interesting as- ministrator to be induct- French Camp ...... WFCA-FM ...... 107.9 this season. In addition pects of the MSU basketball program. ed into the Mississippi Greenville ...... WDMS-FM ...... 100.7 to having aired all MSU Under the direction of producer/director Sports Hall of Fame, in Bennie Ashford, the 30-minute television Grenada ...... WOHT-FM ...... 92.3 football games in the fall, addition to receiving the program is a production of the Bulldog Hackelburg, AL .... WFMH-FM ...... 95.5 WFCA is also slated to inaugural Ronald Rea- Sports Network in conjunction with the Hattiesburg ...... WMXI-FM ...... 98.1 carry most of the wom- gan Lifetime Achieve- Mississippi State University Television Indianola ...... WTCD-FM ...... 96.9 en’s basketball games ment Award presented Center. Jackson ...... WOAD-FM ...... 105.9 this year as well as the by the National Associa- Lucedale ...... WRBE-FM ...... 106.9 majority of the 2010 Mississippi State base- tion of Sportscasters and Sportswriters. In McComb ...... WAKK-FM...... 104.9 ball slate. 1997, he was honored by the College Foot- Memphis, TN ...... KQPN-AM...... 730 Again this season, each basketball broad- ball Hall of Fame as the second recipient Meridian ...... WMOX-AM ...... 1010 cast will tip off with an informative half-hour of the coveted Chris Schenkel Award for Monticello ...... WRQQ-FM ...... 102.1 pre-game show in which 12th-year head broadcasting excellence. Cristil was also Philadelphia ...... WWSL-FM ...... 102.3 basketball coach Rick Stansbury previews inducted into the Mississippi State Univer- Tupelo ...... WKMQ-AM ...... 1060 the upcoming opponent. A live post-game sity Sports Hall of Fame in 2003, while most Vicksburg ...... WVBG-FM ...... 105.5 report featuring MSU’s cage boss will round recently having been honored in 2004 with West Point ...... WKBB-FM ...... 100.9 out the gameday programming. the prestigious Lindsey Nelson Award, giv- Wiggins ...... WIGG_AM ...... 1420 The knowledgeable broadcasting tandem en annually to one of the nation’s premier Winona ...... WONA-FM ...... 95.1 of Jack Cristil and Jim Ellis will once again sports broadcasters. Yazoo City ...... WYAB-FM ...... 93.1 be behind the microphones this season de- Cristil has handled the play-by-play for scribing all of the play-by-play action. Mississippi State basketball since 1957-58, 8 S TARKVILLE, MISSISSIPPI tarkville, Mississippi, is the THE GREAT OUTDOORS no exception. With more than 50 restau- easy answer for “outside the Spectacular natural scenery fl ourishes ev- rants offering everything from down-home cooking and mouth-watering barbecue to box” business expansion ery season in our part of the world. A year- S round temperate climate makes Starkville fi ne dining and exotic cuisine, there is some- and relocation opportunities. Our an excellent destination for outdoor enthu- thing to please every palette. Our lodging growing economy offers state-of- siasts. Offering visitors a national wildlife options range from national hotel chains to the-art technology and strong busi- refuge for hunting, picnicking, bird-watch- a full-service historic hotel, perfect for fami- ness and industry support. First- ing, and hiking - as well as plentiful lakes lies or romantic weekend getaways. for fi shing - Starkville can’t be beat. class shopping, dining, golfi ng and Those who have discovered the 48,000- HISTORIC LODGING cultural opportunities offer life and acre Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge The historic Hotel Chester, a full-service play from a different angle. Adja- know that it is an outdoor paradise, and a hotel located in downtown Starkville, has cent to Mississippi State University place where America’s symbol of freedom, been newly renovated with accommoda- and abundant in southern charm, the bald eagle, as well as alligators, red tions that take you back into time. cockaded woodpeckers, bobcats and wild Starkville offers big city resources turkeys call home. GOLFING with affordable hometown hospitali- Nearby are the John W. Starr Memorial MSU’s public golf course is rated by Golf ty. If you’re ready to experience life, Forest, an 8,200-acre natural woodlands Digest as one of the nation’s “Best Places work and play from a different an- park, and the Tennessee-Tombigbee Wa- to Play.” Located minutes from Starkville is terway, offering 1,000 miles of shoreline gle, the answer is clear: Starkville, the Old Waverly Golf Club - the site of the and 110,000 acres of land and water for 1999 U.S. LPGA Women’s Open Champi- Mississippi. play. onship - which is named “One of the Top 100 Courses in the Nation” by Golf Digest. CITY BACKGROUND RICH HISTORY Founded in 1831 under the name “Board- Learn about Starkville’s past with a visit ENTERTAINMENT town,” Starkville was incorporated and re- to the Oktibbeha County Heritage Museum, Starkville offers big-city entertainment ceived its charter in 1837. Renamed for where local artifacts are on display in a re- choices as well. One of the smallest towns General John Stark, a Revolutionary War stored GM&O Railroad Depot. Enjoy a lei- in the nation that touts a symphony orches- hero, Starkville is a thriving community surely walking tour of one of Starkville’s fi ve tra and chorus, Starkville also actively sup- located in the heart of Mississippi, easily historic districts. Make sure to explore the ports a community theater. Top-name en- accessible to metropolitan areas, such as Cotton District, a thriving example of the ar- tertainers and speakers are brought to town Jackson, Birmingham and Memphis - and chitectural theory of “new urbanism.” This through the Lyceum and Lectern Series, just 25 minutes from the Natchez Trace revived district, which boasts the charm of as well as through Music Maker Produc- Parkway. Old Charleston or the French Quarter in tions. The Blackfriars Drama Society, the New Orleans, once housed local cotton mill Madrigal Singers, art exhibits, award-win- MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY workers. ning Mississippi State faculty concerts, as A college town for more than a century, well as exciting year-round events, such as Starkville is surrounded by the energy and HOSPITALITY rodeos and horse shows at the Mississippi enthusiasm of the “People’s University.” Starkville is proud of its Southern hospital- Horse Park, all add to the numerous cultural Boasting an enrollment in excess of 18,000 ity, and our dining and lodging options are activities available. students, Mississippi State University is the largest university in the state. MSU serves up exciting SEC sports action with its cham- pionship football, basketball and baseball teams. The university is also a national leader in veterinary medicine, agricultural research and engineering. Plus, MSU is home to both the highly acclaimed Lyceum Series and the Mississippi Piano Show- case, attracting the best cultural talent from around the world. When you visit the campus, be sure to stop at the John Grisham Room at the Mitchell Memorial Library where America’s best-selling author and 1977 MSU alum ex- hibits a personal collection of papers and publications. While at the library, you can also visit the Charles H. Templeton Sr. Mu- sic Museum, which showcases over 22,000 pieces of sheet music, records and musical instruments from the 1890s Ragtime Era. Don’t miss the other complimentary tours available at MSU where visitors may watch how the university’s famous Edam cheese is made, taste MSU wine, juice and jellies that are produced from muscadine grapes.

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