MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY

OUR MISSION The university's fundamental purpose is to develop knowledge- MSU’S ACADEMICS & DEGREES • COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AND LIFE SCIENCES able and skilled people who engage in the pursuit of intellectual - Agribusiness, Agricultural Economics, Agricultural truth, help constitute an informed electorate, and contribute to eco- Engineering Technology and Business, Agricultural Information nomic growth and prosperity. Mississippi State is committed to per- Science and Education, Agricultural Pest Management, forming basic research to expand the bounds of knowledge, to Agricultural Science, Agronomy, Animal and Dairy Science, using applied research to translate knowledge into practice, to pro- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biological Engineering, viding service to institutions and organizations, and to providing Food Science and Technology, Horticulture, Human Sciences, education to its students. Landscape Architecture, Landscaping Contracting and Founded in 1878 as the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Management, Poultry Science Mississippi, the land-grant institution became Mississippi State • COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE College in 1932. In 1958, it became Mississippi State University. The - Architecture University has grown from its first class of 354 students in the fall of • COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES 1880 to more than 16,600 in the Fall of 2002. Today, more than - Anthropology, Art, Biological Sciences, Chemistry, 1,000 faculty members teach students from every county in Communication, Economics, English, Foreign Languages, Mississippi and every state in the United States, as well as interna- General Liberal Arts, General Science, Geosciences, History, tional students from about 70 countries. More than 75 percent of our Interdisciplinary Studies, International Business (with Business students hail from the Magnolia State, 20 percent are African- and Industry), Mathematics, Medical Technology, Microbiology, American and 54 percent are male. The student-faculty ratio is 17- Philosophy, Physics, Political Science, Psychology, Social Work, to-1 and approximately 85 percent of our faculty hold terminal Sociology degrees. • COLLEGE OF BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY - Accounting, Banking and Finance, Business Information STATE OF MIND Systems, Economics, General Business Administration, Whether you are certain of your major, or are still weighing your Insurance, International Business (with Arts and Sciences), options, we have what you need at State. Mississippi State offers Management, Management of Construction and Land around 80 majors through our eight colleges: Agriculture and Life Development, Marketing, Real Estate and Mortgage Appraisal Sciences; Art and Design; Arts and Sciences; Business and Industry; Financing Education; Bagley Engineering; Forest Resources; and Veterinary • COLLEGE OF EDUCATION Medicine. - Educational Psychology, Elementary Education, Industrial Student-led tutoring and learning skills classes are offered by Technology, Music Education, Office Systems and Technologies, The Learning Center and can ease your transition to university life. In Physical Education, Secondary Education, Special Education, addition, faculty and staff members volunteer their time as mentors Technology Teacher Education, Trade and Technical Studies through the Division of Student Affairs, giving freshmen an automat- • COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING ic within the university. - Aerospace Engineering, Biological Engineering, Chemical Classes in the University Honors Program typically number no Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Engineering, more than 20 students and are taught by some of the university’s top Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, professors. The small classes allow you to receive individualized Mechanical Engineering, Software Engineering instruction and challenge you to explore your potential. • COLLEGE OF FOREST PRODUCTS Mississippi State offers an exciting way to enhance your educa- - Forest Products, Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries tion through Learning Communities. These “communities” consist • COLLEGE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE of faculty and students who share a common academic or cultural - Veterinary Medicine (graduate and professional degrees interest. only) Linking such subjects as creative writing and art history. the • PRE-PROFESSIONAL PROGRAMS interactive learning experiences are designed to foster critical think- - Pre-Dentistry, Pre-Health Information Management, Pre- ing and writing. The Career Center, along with academic advising Law, Pre-Medicine, Pre-Ministry, Pre-Nursing, Pre-Occupational and classroom participation, will help you choose the right path. Therapy, Pre-Optometry, Pre-Pharmacy, Pre-Physical Therapy, The Career Center is especially valuable around graduation Pre-Veterinary Medicine time, but the center helps with any type job search, including part- time and summer employment while you’re still in school, as well as providing tools to determine your career strengths. It also houses The Student Association lets you get your feet wet in politics, the Cooperative Education Program that lets you alternate a semes- while Blackfriars Drama Society nurtures the thespian in you. Other ter of school with a semester of work at companies such as U.S. groups address your athletic side, while still others encourage your Army Corps of Engineers, Dow Chemical, Georgia Pacific and Lane growth in your field of study. MSU student organizations truly offer Furniture. something for every interest. Maybe you’ve always dreamed of spending time in anoth- Tradition is a huge part of feeling at home. And, we like to wel- er culture. MSU participates in the Cooperative Center come new members to the Bulldog family and tradition for Study Abroad, a regional consortium of universi- during Dawg Daze. The week before classes begin, ties that provide courses in English-speaking coun- students are invited to participate in various activi- tries abroad. Mississippi State also subscribes to ties that introduce them to Bulldog traditions, as semester-long and summer study abroad well as to other classmates. And, to officially opportunities through International Studies kick off the new academic year, we celebrate Abroad. In addition, the university is a mem- The Drill, a tradition that finds itself in the mil- ber of the National Student Exchange (NSE) itary history of MSU. The student body, program, a consortium of more than 175 along with administrators, faculty and athlet- colleges and universities in the United ic representatives, join for an evening to cel- States and Canada. The NSE allows eligible ebrate returning Bulldogs, as well as those students to attend a college or university in who are joining the family. another state for up to one calendar year Other popular events connect campus without having to pay out-of-state tuition. and community, such as Fall’s Bulldog Bash, a Of course, there are different ways of learn- gigantic street party in Starkville that draws ing and for those who like the thrill of discovery, thousands to eat, socialize and listen to popular we offer a multitude of research opportunities, both bands. In the Spring, we have the Old Main Music in and out of a lab. Festival in downtown Starkville, a musical partner to Envision yourself as a cyber sleuth, tracking down the Cotton District Arts Festival and Taste of Starkville. Internet outlaws who take advantage of the information available on Of course, there are many other things going on at MSU and the the Web? Mississippi State’s Center for Computer Security Research surrounding community: plays, sports, art exhibitions and concerts. is certified by the National Security Agency. The center offers the And, if you just want to get back to nature, the Noxubee Wildlife computer-savvy a chance to take a “byte” out of crime through its Refuge in rural Oktibbeha County offers 48,000 acres of beautiful scholarship-for service program. A scientist in the College of lakes, trails and woodlands only minutes from campus. Veterinary Medicine is studying poultry for ways to better diagnose The friendly community of Starkville is home to a multi-screen and treat people who are suffering from cancer. The investigator cinema with stadium seating, a variety of restaurants, live music, per- began the project as a student. formances and annual festivals. And, downtown Starkville and its shops and restaurants are within walking distance of campus. STATE YOUR INTERESTS Academics are the reason you’re here, but studying is not the STATE YOUR SPIRIT only way to learn. Our 300-plus student organizations give you an At Mississippi State, we take our play time seriously, too. opportunity to develop leadership skills, meet new people and Whether you’re a big fan of Southeastern Conference athletics or enhance life experiences. prefer the challenge of one-on-one, we have something for you. MSU offers eight varsity sports for women, including basketball, 78 MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY

paintball; rock climbing; fencing; martial arts; scuba diving; cycling; and hiking. Our beautiful recreation facility, the Joe Frank Sanders Center, provides six courts for basketball, volleyball and badminton, an indoor pool, and eight racquetball courts. And for those who enjoy working out for fit- ness, the center offers an indoor running track, a 26-foot climbing wall, three aerobic studios, and a 10,000-square foot strength and aerobic conditioning room. STATE YOUR HOME Mississippi State’s residence halls are a lot more than just a place to sleep - they’re part of the thriving “city” of campus. In most cases, you’re a quick walk away from class- rooms, meeting places and dining facilities. Everybody likes to eat and we give you a lot of great choices from the food court in the Colvard Union to the home cooking in the historic Perry Cafeteria; Gooch’s Deli, featuring Stone Willy’s Pizza, in the One- Stop convenience store; and famous MSU ‘Dawgs Day Out,’ an interactive get together for student-athletes at Davis Wade ice cream, baked goods and Starbucks cof- Stadium, is a very popular annual event. fee in the State Fountain Bakery. You’ll also be able to grab a snack at cross country, golf, soccer, softball, tennis, track and field and volley- McArthur Court in McArthur Hall and Food ball. Our seven men’s sports are baseball, basketball, cross country, for Thought in Mitchell Memorial Library. And, if you’re over at the golf, tennis, track and field and football. And, of course, our facilities Wise Center, which houses our College of Veterinary Medicine, you’ll for watching SEC sporting events are first class. Dudy Noble Field, love eating at the Pegasus Dining Room. Polk-Dement Stadium has long been regarded as one of the best Of course, living in our residence halls keeps you close to the campus venues for college baseball in America. snacks - and the action. But, our halls aren’t like your parents’ old Dudy Noble can seat nearly 7,500 diehard baseball fans in sky- “dorm” rooms. All rooms offer Internet access, as well as cable TV boxes, chairback seats and bleachers, but when you add in the and local telephone service with call waiting, voice mail and caller famous “Left Field Lounge,” it’s standing room only. In fact, MSU I.D. capability. Each room is also equipped with a refrigerator/freez- claimed the NCAA record for the largest campus baseball crowd er/microwave combination unit. ever when 14,991 crowded into the facility for a 1989 doublehead- Even more exciting is our newest residence hall - Ruby Hall - er with the University of Florida. That record is still unbroken. which opened for freshmen in Fall, 2005. The 400-bed facility is the Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field, home of the football first on campus to offer private baths and is fully furnished. The sec- Bulldogs, recently underwent a $30 million expansion and renova- ond phase of construction calls for another new residence hall - this tion to add skyboxes and additional seating. But, don’t worry; one housing 800 students - to be constructed soon. there’s still plenty of room left around the stadium for tailgating. And it’s not all about convenience. We also strive to keep our And what’s Winter without watching basketball at Humphrey residence halls safe. Each hall has controlled card-reader access, fire Coliseum? Students line up the night before tickets go on sale to get extinguishers and a fire security system. Each room, in turn, is their discounted seats in “The Hump” so they can cheer the equipped with a smoke detector and deadbolt lock. Bulldogs to another anticipated SEC championship crown. The The MSU Police Department and staff members from the men’s program has earned back-to-back Western Division crowns, Department of Housing and Residence Life operate as partners and an SEC Tournament victory and an outright SEC championship title are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In addition, MSU since 2001. And, the women’s team has had two players selected police programs such as Cops-on-Bikes, Residence Hall Adopt-a- Nos. 1 and 2 in the Women’s National Basketball Association draft Cop, Operation Identification, community policing, and library in the past three years. patrol help ensure your safety. Our other programs have seen success as well. Men’s tennis There’s also a shuttle system that operates throughout campus, consistently has been ranked in the top 20 nationally and head including our new night shuttle route. Every Thursday-Saturday coach Sylvain Guichard shared the 2005 SEC Coach of the Year title night, a shuttle will carry you off campus to various Starkville busi- with mentor and former MSU tennis coach Andy Jackson of Florida. nesses for a little weekend fun. For the past few years, the track and field program has finished the There’s no fun to be found if you’re sick, though. The John C. season ranked nationally and one runner recently won the universi- Longest Student Health Center s convenient when you’re under the ty’s first indoor national championship. weather. Fully accredited by the Accreditation Association for Maybe you would rather experience that thrill of victory for Ambulatory Health Care, the center is fully staffed with physicians yourself. For you, there are club sports and intramurals, such as flag and nurses and there’s no charge to students for office visits. A phar- football, basketball and softball; Rugby; cricket; soccer; lacrosse; macy is located on-site to provide additional convenience.

STUDENTS RANKINGS • We average nearly 1,900 new freshmen each year. • MSU’s undergraduate program in landscape architecture is • New transfer students typically number 1,500. listed among the top 15 programs in the country by • Around 16,000 students enrolled. DesignIntelligence, a national publication that promotes • African-Americans make up nearly 20 percent of the uni- quality design education. versity’s enrollment. • MSU ranks among the top 15 in the nation in awarding • Students from 70 countries attend MSU. bachelor’s degrees in both engineering and education to • Out-of-state students number more than 3,200. African-Americans. • MSU ranks 24th in engineering expenditures according to FACULTY the National Science Foundation. • More than 1,000 faculty members. • MSU’s dairy products judging team placed first in the 2004 • Approximately 85 percent of our faculty hold terminal International Collegiate Dairy Products Judging competition. degrees. • The student-faculty ratio is 17-to-1. ACADEMICS • Two MSU researchers have invented and are seeking a • Some 3,000 degrees are awarded each year, bachelor’s- patent on a device that can test for diabetes by analyzing a doctorate. person’s breath. • Comprised of eight colleges. • Aerospace engineering professors are working to help • First university in the country to offer a degree program in design and build the next generation of unmanned aerial land-scape contracting and management. vehicles - airplanes flown by remote control during military • Our cooperative education program is one of the largest operations too dangerous for human operators. in the Southeast • Since 2000, five professors have been recognized by the • Our Professional Golf Management program is the sec- National Academic Advising Association for their academic ond-oldest sanctioned by the Professional Golfers’ counseling of students. Association of America. • Mitchell Memorial Library is the largest library facility in the state.

79

UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT

ROBERT H. “DOC” THE FOGLESONG FILE FOGLESONG PERSONAL Birthdate: July 13, 1945 obert H. 2005-06 OFFICERS OF Birthplace: Williamson, WV Foglesong is the Hometown: Williamson, WV RR18th president fo THE UNIVERSITY Family: Wife (former Mary Thrasher); Mississippi State Children (sons David and Mark; three University, a land-grant C. RAY HAYES grandchildren) university committed to excellence in learning, Vice President for research and service. His vision is for MSU to become the most respected land-grant school in the Finance and Administration EDUCATION Southeast. As president, he is responsible for plan- WILLIAM L. KIBLER Bachelor’s: West Virginia, 1968 ning, budgeting, and executionfor the largest universi- Master’s: West Virginia, 1969 ty in the state of Mississippi. He is also the president Vice President for Ph.D.: West Virginia, 1971 and executive director of the Appalachian Leadership Student Affairs and Education Foundation, a nonprofit organization operating to identify our next generation of leaders in DENNIS A. PRESCOTT AIR FORCE ASSIGNMENTS Appalachia and mento/financially support their jour- 1972-73 student, undergraduate pilot training, ney toward academic, leadership, and character excel- Vice President for External Affairs Columbus Air Force Base, Miss. lence. He’s a direcor of Massey Energy, of of the 1973-76 T-41 instructor pilot, 557th Flying Training largest producers of coal in the nation, and a director Squadron, Perterson Field, Colo., and U.S. Air Force of the Michael Baker Corp., an international energy PETER W. RABIDEAU Academy, Colorado, Springs, Colo. and engineering firm. He also has been designated by Provost and 1976-77 Aide-De-Camp o the Commander, Air President George W. Bush to co-chair the United Vice President for Academic Affairs Forces Korea, 314th Air Division, Osan Air Base, South State-Russia Joint Commission on POW/MIAs. Korea Previously, he was nominated by the President, 1977-79 AT-33 and EB-57 instructor pilot, flight confirmed by the U.S. Senate, and served as a four- COLIN GUY SCANES Vice President for Research examiner and assistant operations officer, 17th Defense star general in the United States Air Force. He had Systems Evaluation Squadron, Malmstrom AFB, Mont. responsibility for policy recommendations and imple- and Graduate Studies 1979-80 AT-33 instructor pilot and Commander, mentation of policy relative to personnel, operations, Detachment 1, 24th Air Defense Squadron, Malmstrom infrastructure and intra/inter governmental affairs for VANCE WATSON AFB, Mont. an organization of 358,000 uniformed members and 1980-82 F-15 pilot and squadron sheduler, 9th 158,000 civilian employees. He was responsible for Interim Vice President for Agriculture, Tactical Fighter Squadron; chief of quality assurace, planing/programming for future strategies involving Forestry, and Veterinary Medicine 49th Tactical Fighter Wing; and Commander, 49th an annual budget of $90 billion (equivilant to the posi- Component Repair Squadron, Holloman AFB, N.M. tion of chief operating oficer for a company ranked 1983-85 Special Assistant for Tactical Isues and No. 9 on the Fortune 500 list). His jobs required PAST MSU PRESIDENTS (1) Executive Officer for the Deputy Chief of Staff For almost daily interface with members of Congress, the Research, Development and Acquisition,Headquarters White House, and many governmental interagency U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C. offices. General Stephen D. Lee ...... 1880-1899 1985-87 Special Assistant to the Commander and Foglesong spent a significant amount of the past John Marshall Stone ...... 1899-1900 CHief, Combat Analysis Division, Headquarters Tactical decade as a national security advisor at Cabinet and John Crumpton Hardy ...... 1900-1912 Air Command, Langley AFB, Va. Presidential levels. In this capacity, he had opportuni- 1987-88 F-16 pilot and Assistant Deputy ties to travel extensively with the most senior mem- George Robert Hightower ...... 1912-1916 Commander for Operations, 31st Tactical Fighter Wing, bers of the government and directly engage with the William Hall Smith ...... 1916-1920 Homestead AFB, Fla. most senior civilian and military levels of foreign gov- 1988-90 Chief of Staff of the Air Force Chair and ernments around the globe. David Carlisle Hull ...... 1920-1925 Professor of Joint and Combined Warfare,National War Foglesong has spent 33 years in public service Buz M. Walker ...... 1925-1930 College, Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington with a clear understanding of the role leadership plays Hugh Critz ...... 1930-1934 1990-91 F-16 pilot and Chief of Maintenance, 347th in establishing a sense of integrity/ethics, encouraging Tactical Fighter Wing, Mood AFB, Ga. service above self, and fost. He has received numer- George Duke Humphrey ...... 1934-1945 1991-93 Director, Chief of Staff of the Air Force’s ous awards for his demonstrated leadership. In addi- Fred Tom Mitchell ...... 1945-1953 Staff Group, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, tion, he has continued his education by attending pro- D.C. fessional military education schools, as well as Benjamin F. Hilbun ...... 1953-1960 1993-93 Commander, 14th Fling Training Wing, advanced civilian education forums. He is a member Dean W. Colvard ...... 1960-1966 Columbus AFB, Miss. of several professional aviation organizations and a ...... 1966-1976 1994-95 Commander, 51st Fighter Wing, Osan AB, membe of the Council on Foreign Relations. His 57 William L. Giles South Korea publications cover a range of subjects including tech- James D. McComas ...... 1976-1985 1995-97 Deputy Director for Politico-Miltary Affairs, nical and leadershp topics. A graduate of West Donald W. Zacharias ...... 1985-1997 the Joint Sraff, Washington, D.C. Virginia University (bachelor’s, master’s and doctor- 1997-99 Assistant to the Chairman,Joint Chiefs of ate), he was a member and president of Tau Beta Pi, Malcolm A. Portera ...... 1998-2001 Staff, Washington, D.C. the national engineering honorary, as well as numer- J. Charles Lee ...... 2002-2006 1999-2000 Comander, 12th Air Force and U.S. ous other academic honoraries. Southern Command Air Forces, Davis-Monthan AFV, He has accumulated 30 military awards for leader- Ariz. ship and technical skills. He holds an honorary 2000-01 Deputy Chief of Staff for Air and Space Doctorate of Strategic Intelligence. He is married to Operations, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, Mary Thrasher Foglesong. They have two sons--David, D.C. married to Laura, and father of two sons (Robert and 2001-03 Vice Chief of Staff, Headquarters U.S. Air David), and Mark. David is in the United State Air Force, Washington, D.C. Force, as is Laura. Mark is in the television business. 2003-04 U.S. Air Forces in Europe; Comander, Allied Foglesong’s hobies include running marathons, col- Air Component Command Ramstein; and Air lecting slide rules, collecting potato mashers and pub- Component Commander, U.S. European Command, lic speaking. Ramstein AB, Germany 2004-06 Commander, U.S. Air Forces in Europe; Commander, Allied Air Component Command Ramstein; Air Component Commander, U.S. European Command, Ramstein AB, Germany; and Director, Multinational Joint Air Power Competence, Kalkar, Germany

90 ATHLETIC ADMINISTRATION

Larry Templeton Ann Carr Director of Athletics Associate AD/Women’s Sports reating an atmosphere for student-athlete achieve- ississippi State Director of Athletics Larry Cment on the playing field and in the classroom, pro- MTempleton has named Ann Carr the school’s viding the means for a healthy financial bottom line, and Senior Woman Administrator. keeping personnel achieving at a productive best are just A veteran of 12 years in athletic administration some of the requirements of the collegiate director of ath- letics. On all accounts, Mississippi State University’s Larry at MSU and a former Lady Bulldog athlete, Carr Templeton is a resounding success. succeeds Samye Johnson, who retired as the uni- Mississippi State competes for championships in every versity’s SWA this past June. sport program while its athletes continue to excel in the Carr is in her second stint within the State ath- classroom. The department has operated in the black letic department. She assumes her new role fol- while expanding its varsity athletic sport program and lowing seven years as Assistant Athletic Director drastically improving its facilities. Templeton has overseen all that and more as the head for Student Life. In that position, she worked with of the program. He is the third-longest-tenured AD in the personal development of MSU’s student-ath- MSU history and the longest in the Southeastern letes in addition to continuing her prior responsi- Conference with 19 seasons under his belt, and the uni- bilities as academic counselor for the Bulldog versity’s athletic program has reached heights never football team. Carr serves as the director of the before achieved under his guidance. department’s Life Skills program, which includes On the playing field, the decade of the ‘90s saw virtually every State sport establish a best- ever finish. The start of the new millennium has been no different with MSU sports teams hav- the support systems and career programs for all MSU student-athletes, and its ing qualified for postseason play 47 times during the past six seasons. A school-record 12 did CHAMPS program (Challenging Athletes’ Minds for Personal Success). so in 2004-05 and 1999-2000. As SWA, Carr will oversee the operation and supervision of MSU’s women’s During the 2004-05 school year, team and individual athletic accomplishments continued to sport program. reach new heights. Men’s and women’s basketball qualified for postseason competition in 2004- Hired in 1993 as an assistant director in the athletic academic office, she 05, a fourth-straight NCAA appearance by the men and the seventh postseason showing in returned full-time to MState in 1999 following a one-year stay in a similar capaci- eight years for the women. Baseball won the SEC Tournament title in 2005, marking the sport’s ty at the University of Southern Mississippi. second conference title since 2001. Softball remained an NCAA Tournament fixture, qualifying for its fifth NCAA Regional appearance in six years, while the men’s tennis program earned its A native of Brookhaven, Miss., Carr was a four-year letter winner on the 14th consecutive NCAA Tournament bid. Mississippi State women’s basketball team (1986-90). A 1990 graduate of State, But State’s student-athletes are not just succeeding on the playing field. MSU’s men’s and she later earned her master’s degree in counseling from the institution in 1992. women’s athletes recorded the highest combined grade point average during the 2004-05 aca- When Carr finished her women’s basketball playing career in 1990, she ranked demic year in the 15 years in which student-athlete grades were tracked. In 12 of the last 14 first on the career leaders list in free-throw percentage, shooting 75.8 percent over a years, the Bulldog football team has been one of just a handful of schools cited by the American four-year span. She also ranked 12th on the career points list, having scored 762 Football Coaches Association for having a graduation rate exceeding 70 percent. MSU is the only school in the SEC to make that list with that much frequency. In Spring, 2005, 141 of the points in her tenure, averaging 8.3 points per contest. In rebounding, Carr 269 scholarship student-athletes at Mississippi State (52 percent) earned a grade point average brought down 597 boards (6.5 per game) to finish her career sixth on the all-time of 3.00 or higher. Seventy-five scholarship student-athletes made either the Dean’s List (3.5 list in rebounds and rebounding average. She also finished her career holding the GPA) or the President’s Scholar List (3.8 GPA). individual record in most three-point field goals made (five) in a single game. MSU has produced the Southeastern Conference’s Male and Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year three times each during Templeton’s tenure. State is second among league schools in num- ber of Academic All-SEC selections in the sports in which MSU competes. Templeton oversaw Mississippi State’s move to come into compliance with the SEC’s Gender Equity plan, adding women’s soccer and softball to the school’s varsity sport menu. The first season of soccer was in 1995, while softball began competition in 1997. Since that time, the soccer team has won the SEC Western Division title (2001) and the softball team has never had a losing season and has qualified for NCAA postseason play five of the last seven years. And for the 18th year in a row this past year, the MSU athletic program joined just a small group of NCAA Division I schools nation-wide to finish in the black financially at year’s end. Both the local and national media have noticed the work done by Templeton at MSU. The State men’s program was ranked second-best in the SEC in a 1996 New York Times poll. And Templeton was chosen 1998 Sports Person of the Year in the state of Mississippi by the Jackson Clarion- Ledger. Templeton’s work also stretches far from the Starkville campus. He serves as chairman of the SEC’s athletic directors and is serving a second team on the NCAA Baseball Committee. He is a former member of the NCAA Championship Committee and the NCAA Bowl Certification Committee. Templeton is married to the former Linda Jo Nichols. They have a son, Brian, who received his second degree (landscape architecture) at Mississippi State in May 2002. A second son, Stephen, received his doctorate from Mississippi State in August 2002, and a daughter, Nici, is an attorney in Columbia, S.C.

Greg Byrne Dr. David C. Boles Jim Ellis Straton Karatassos Duncan McKenzie Assoc. AD/Development & Marketing Assoc. AD/Student Services Assoc. AD/External Operations Assoc. AD/Athletic Development Assoc. AD/Internal Operations

Ray Berryhill Mike Richey Bobby Tomlinson Pat Wallace Dr. Steven C. Turner Asst. AD/Academic Advising Asst. AD/Sports Marketing Asst. AD/Game Operations, Facilities Asst. AD/Ticket Operations Faculty Athletics Representative 91 ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE

he MSU Athletic Academic Office is committed THE ATHLETIC ACADEMIC STAFF SUPERVISED STUDY to preparing Mississippi State University student- Supervised study is a monitored study program TTathletes for life after college. In order to accom- MONITORS: designed to provide student-athletes with organized plish this mission, the Athletic Academic Office will • Academic Progress study/tutoring time in flexible environment conducive provide quality programs and services to facilitate • Class Attendance to successful learning. Study sessions are required for graduation and promote the overall development of • Class Scheduling all first semester freshmen, transfer student-athletes our student-athletes. The student services provided by • NCAA Rules to Ensure Academic Eligibility and any student-athlete whom the appropriate coach- the Athletic Academic Office are designed to promote Each Semester ing staff and the Athletic Academic Office staff believe the personal, educational and career development of would benefit from the experience. Study sessions are the student-athletes. The Athletic Academic staff is HAS RESPONSIBILITY FOR: to provide a more structured environment to assist stu- committed to empowering student-athletes to devel- dent-athletes in their transition from high school to • Study Hall Attendance op independence, self-reliance, personal values, lead- college. Any study area or learning center is available ership skills, and responsibility for their own lives. • Tutors for use during these times. The hours required by the The primary purpose of the Athletic Academic • Academic Counseling student's adviser will be totaled at the end of each Office is to provide quality academic assistance to • A Computer Lab With 17 Computers week. The ultimate goal of supervised study is to assist MSU student-athletes during their tenure at the univer- • Issue of Textbooks To Scholarship Student- student-athletes in developing their intellectual and sity and beyond. Assisting student-athletes in the suc- Athletes academic potential and to familiarize the student with cessful completion of their degrees is our main con- all services offered by the academic center. cern. In order to accomplish this mission, the Athletic academic eligibility. The advisors also secure tutors Academic office has developed programs and activi- and schedule study sessions. TUTORING ties in areas such as CHAMPS/Life Skills, Orientation, Tutors are provided for student-athletes in all sub- Academic Advisement, Academic Mentoring, Tutorial ASSESSMENT ject areas. They are available on a one-to-one basis Services, Development, Study Skills, Career The Athletic Academic Office provides education- and in small group sessions. The Athletic Academic Exploration and Development and Life Management al skills assessment for all incoming student-athletes. staff may recommend tutors for you, or you can Skills. The assessment process is designed to provide the request one for yourself. Tutoring services are usually student-athletes and counselors with knowledge of arranged on an appointment basis. Student-athletes ADVISEMENT student-athlete's strengths and weaknesses in such are expected to keep all tutoring appointments they The Athletic Academic Office assigns counselors contain areas as reading, writing, and mathematics. schedule. by the program participants' sport. Academic With this information, Athletic Academic Counselors Counselors assist student-athletes with class advising, can determine if student-athletes possess the neces- MEASURING SUCCESS tutoring, mentoring with career development, and sary skills to succeed in standard entry-level courses at Over the past eight academic seasons, MSU trails selected petition processes. Counselors also serve as a MSU. Scores below the established minimum do not just Florida in the number of its student-athletes which resource for students in personal development areas disqualify a student-athlete from continuing and receive academic all-conference accolades. In the including management of test anxieties, personal achieving scholastic success at MSU. It may however, measure of the sport of soccer alone, Mississippi State counseling and developing time management skills. indicate a need for additional testing, enrollment in has produced a lion’s share of academic all-SEC hon- Athletic Academic Counselors assist student-athletes developmental courses and/or the use of the various orees since the sport’s inception in 1995. The Bulldogs throughout their educational experience at Mississippi academic services provided on campus for the stu- have decorated 43 different MSU soccer athletes with State University and are available on both a walk-in dent's ultimate collegiate success. The focus of the the honor in the nine seasons that any MSU player has basis and through scheduled appointments. All stu- assessment process is to ensure that all student-ath- been eligible for the award. A total of 26 of those ath- dent-athletes are encouraged to utilize the Athletic letes have available all appropriate academic support letes have earned the laurel on more than one occa- Academic Counselor services. services to have a successful academic experience. sion. InI just eight seasons, the Mississippi State Women’s Soccer program has established itself not only on the field, but also in the classroom. The Bulldog soccer team continued a lasting tradition for itself in 2002 as a school record 13 players were named to the Southeastern Conference Academic Honor Roll. The number also brought the total number of Mississippi State athletes that have been honored to 62 in the seven seasons that any SEC soccer player has been eli- gible for the award. The Bulldog soccer team has played a vital role in helping the overall athletics program at Mississippi State garner national recognition for its high marks in the classroom and in the athletic arena. Each year, Mississippi State University produces a lion’s share of Academic All-Southeastern Conference classroom stars. The goal now is to increase this level of academic success. This is a daunting task for athletes competing with a full load of classes and a full schedule of oppo- nents and practices. However, Bulldog athletes contin- ue to prove that they are up to the challenge as, each year, its number of academic all-SEC honor roll mem- bers increase. The secret behind the academic success for Bulldog athletes is Mississippi State’s athletic academic coun- selors, headed by Assistant Athletic Directors Ray Berryhill and Ann Carr, along with academic counselors Lynda Moore and Dow Thomas. Joining this group are two graduate assistants and 40 part-time tutors who work in Hathorne Hall. The Athletics Academic staff works as a liaison between the Athletics Department, undergraduate divisions and the administrative office of Mississippi State University. The staff offers career advice and counseling, makes sure all athletes are maintaining sat- isfactory progress toward their degrees and monitors AA STAFF

Lynda Moore Victor Parker Brittany Wagner Shelly Ellis Ericka Bazzill Academic Counselor Academic Counselor Academic Counselor Tutorial Services Coordinator Administrative Assistant

92 USA SOFTBALL

outdoor and Hancock emerged as the recognized authority ABOUT ASA/USA SOFTBALL in the 19th century. Hancock appended 19 special rules to adapt the out- The Amateur Softball Association, founded in 1933, door game to the indoor game, and the rules were official- is the National Governing Body of softball in the United ly adopted by the Mid Winter Indoor Baseball League of States and a member of the United States Olympic Committee. The ASA has become one of the nation’s Chicago in 1889. Hancock's game gradually spread largest sports organizations and now sanctions competi- throughout the country and ultimately flourished in tion in every state through a network of 89 local associa- Minneapolis, thanks to the efforts and ingenuity of Lewis tions. The ASA has grown from a few hundred teams in Rober, a Minneapolis Fire Department lieutenant, who the early days to over 240,000 teams and 40,000 umpires wanted a game to keep his firemen fit during their idle time. today, representing a membership of more than three Using a vacant lot adjacent to the firehouse, Rober laid out million. For more information on the ASA, visit bases with a pitching distance of 35 feet. His ball was a www.asasoftball.com. USA Softball is the brand created, operated and small sized medicine ball with the bat two inches in diame- owned by the ASA that links the USA Men’s, Women’s, ter. The game became popular overnight and other fire Junior Boys’ and Junior Girls’ National Team programs companies began to play. In 1895, Rober transferred to together. USA Softball is responsible for training, equip- another fire company and organized a team he called the Keri McCallum (left) and Michelle Gates were ping and promoting these four National Teams to com- Kittens. George Kehoe, captain of Truck Company No. 1, the first MSU players to get a look from USA pete in international and domestic competitions. The named Rober's version of softball "Kitten League Ball" in Softball as both made a trip to the Olympic USA Softball Women’s National Team is one of the only the summer of 1900. It was later shortened to "Kitten Ball." two women’s sports involved in the Olympic movement Rober's game was known as Kitten Ball until 1925, Festival in 1998 and 1999. McCallum was an to capture three consecutive medals at the Olympic games since 1996. The U.S. women have also won seven when the Minneapolis Park Board changed it to Diamond all-American at MSU from 1997-00 while her World Championship titles including the last five consec- Ball, one of a half dozen names used during this time for classmate was a two-time all-SEC selection. utive. For more information about USA Softball, please softball. The name softball didn't come about until 1926 visit www.usasoftball.com. when Walter Hakanson, a Denver YMCA official and a for- Fischer and his sports promotion director, Harry Wilson, mer ASA president and commissioner, suggested it to the sold the Century of Progress Exposition on the idea of International Joint Rules Committee. Hakanson had come sponsoring the tournament and providing a field inside the The History of ASA Softball up with the name in 1926, but the committee didn't include oftball was invented inside the Farragut Boat Club on Fair Grounds. The American's sports pages promoted the the Amateur Softball Association (ASA) until 1934. Efforts to tournament daily and Chicago businessmen raised $500 to a blustery, winter day in November, 1887, in Chicago, organize softball on a national basis didn't materialize until IL. A bunch of Yale and Harvard alumni anxiously finance the event. SS 1933, when Leo Fischer and Michael J. Pauley, a Chicago On the opening day of the 1933 tournament, the awaited the results of the Harvard-Yale football game, and Sporting goods salesman, conceived the idea of organizing when the news came that Yale had defeated Harvard, 17-8, Chicago American said, "it is the largest and most compre- thousands of local softball teams in America into cohesive hensive tournament ever held in the sport which has swept one Yale supporter, overcome with enthusiasm, picked up state organizations, and state organizations into a national an old boxing glove and threw it at a nearby Harvard alum- the country like wildfire." With admission free, 70,000 peo- organization. ple saw the first round of play. Chicago teams won the three ni, who promptly tried to hit it back with a stick. This gave To bring the teams together, Fischer and Pauley invited George Hancock, a reporter for the Chicago Board of divisions of play with Softball Hall of Famer Harry (Coon) them to participate in a tournament in conjunction with the Rosen leading the J.L. Friedman Boosters to the men's title, Trade, an idea. He suggested a game of indoor baseball. 1933 World's Fair in Chicago. With the backing of the Naturally, Hancock's friends thought he was talking about one-hitting Briggs Beautyware of Detroit, MI, in the finals. It Chicago American newspaper, Pauley and Fischer invited was the first loss of the season for Briggs after 41 consecu- playing a game outdoors, not indoors. 55 teams to participate in the tournament. Teams were Hancock wasn't kidding, however. Using what was tive wins. divided into three classes - fastballers, slow pitch and It was evident that softball finally had a foundation from available, he tied together the laces of the boxing glove for women. A 14-inch ball was used during the single-elimina- a ball. Using a piece of chalk, Hancock marked off a home which to grow, and, in 1935, the Playground Association tion event. Softball Guide, wrote: "the years of persistent effort, con- plate, bases and a pitcher's box inside the Farragut Boat During the 1934 National Recreation Congress, mem- Club gym, with the two groups divided into teams. The final stant promotion and unchanging faith of believers in soft- bership on the Joint Rules Committee was expanded to ball proved to have not been in vain, for in 1934 softball score of the game was 41-40, but what was significant was add the Amateur Softball Association (ASA). Until the for- that Hancock and his friends had invented a sport that came into its own. All over America hundreds of leagues mation of the ASA, softball was in a state of confusion, and thousands of players enthusiastically accepted this would continue to grow in popularity to where today more especially in the rules area where the length of the bases than 40 million people enjoy playing it each summer, mak- major team game. and pitcher's box were constantly being changed. "The promotional activities of the ASA played an ing softball the No. 1 team participant sport in the United The formation of the ASA gave softball the solidarity States. Hancock's invention eventually caught on in Chicago important part in stimulating the interest that has been and foundation it needed to grow and develop throughout developing for many years. The battle for recognition of this with the Farragut team challenging other gyms to games. In the U.S. under the network of associations proposed by the spring, Hancock took his game outdoors and played it splendid game is over. Softball has won a place among Fischer and Pauley. Pauley and Fischer visited many of the America's foremost sports." on fields not large enough for baseball. It was called indoor- states, inviting teams to participate in the tournament.

Head coach Jay Miller and former MSU all-Americans Kellie Wilkerson (center) and Iyhia McMichael have played integral roles in the success of the USA Softball organization. Wilkerson is currently a member of the USA national team.

93 PROFESSIONAL SOFTBALL KARRIE AUTUMN KERI MICHELLE eventy-mile per hour riseballs, 240-foot frozen ropes, soft

hands and lightning-quick reactions all wound into seven MCCALLUM

feverish innings of gritty, gutsy, fast-paced action. RIDER ANDERSON

SS GATES Welcome to hard-hittin', fast-pitchin', affordable family fun. Welcome to National Pro Fastpitch (NPF)! NPF, formerly the Women's Pro Softball League (WPSL), is a fastpitch softball league created to provide elite female ath- letes with the opportunity to compete at the professional level, while providing affordably-priced entertainment for fam- ilies and sports enthusiasts around the globe. The WPSL captured the attention of fastpitch softball fans worldwide when it exploded onto America's sports scene in 1997. Since then, the WPSL has regularly showcased an unpar- alleled brand of fastpitch softball played by the world's best female athletes. Despite only existing for a little more than four seasons, Durham Dragons Tampa Bay Firestix Ohio Pride Texas Thunder the WPSL can trace its origins back to the first professional KASEY JENNIFER softball league. Former LPGA Tour member Janie Blaylock, KELLIE JENNIFER softball legend Joan Joyce and tennis icon Billie Jean King, founded the International Women's Professional Softball WHITEHEAD Association (IWPSA) in 1976. The league featured 10 teams in WILKERSON JESSUP cities across the nation, including Meriden, Conn., Chicago, Ill., WATERMAN Prescott, Ariz. and San Jose, Calif. In the WPSA's first season, each team played a 120-game schedule that featured 60 dou- bleheaders. The fledgling association survived four seasons before lack of funds, high travel costs and inadequate facilities ulti- mately led to its demise. Despite the absence of a profession- al league, the following decade proved to be extremely pros- perous for the sport of fastpitch softball in the United States. In 1982, the NCAA began to sanction the Women's College World Series, a move that led to increased participa- tion and exposure for the sport. Internationally, the USA Softball Women's National Team New England Riptide New England Riptide Texas Thunder Akron Racers won back-to-back gold medals at the 1986 ISF World Championship and the 1987 Pan American Games. The col- Ten current or former Mississippi State Softball players have been drafted by or signed free agent contracts with the lege game also benefited from rule changes enacted in 1987 WPSL or NPF in the last seven years, including Kellie Wilkerson who led the NY/NJ Juggernaut to the NPF title in 2004. that increased the game's offensive output and ultimately its Former MSU third baseman Tanelda McDonald plays professional softball with the Harlem Diamonds touring show. popularity. Some felt it was the perfect time to reintroduce the world to professional softball, but few acted upon their beliefs. Former Utah State University softball player Jane Cowles was Tennessee All-Stars as part of the National Softball NPF is dedicated to working with partners who will com- in the minority. Association's A division Eastern World Series in Chattanooga, mit to the effort of promoting NPF and supporting profession- Along with her collegiate head coach John Horan, Cowles Tennessee. The WPSL All-Stars also conducted two clinics as al fastpitch softball in the United States and continues to developed a plan for a women's professional fastpitch softball part of the weekend activities. develop and build working relationships with key fastpitch league. In February 1989, she introduced a blueprint for the On Nov. 21, 2002, WPSL announced a rebranding strate- organizations, including the Amateur Softball Association league to her parents John and Sage Cowles, owners of the gy and official name change to National Pro Fastpitch. Major (ASA) and National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA). Cowles Media Company, who agreed to provide financial League Baseball partnered with NPF as its Official Television coverage in 2006 will showcase NPF's fast- backing for the endeavor. Development partner as a continuation of MLB's efforts to paced action. NPF broadcasts will include an umbrella of cov- Field research and market studies began later that fall and connect with female athletes and women. erage from Comcast Sports Net Chicago, the YES Network continued to take place through 1993. In January 1994, plans As "Official Development Partner" in 2003 Major League and ESPN/ESPN 2. NPF is also working with several produc- for a barnstorming tour were announced, and 18 months later Baseball provided introductions to Major League Baseball tion companies to pursue other broadcast partnerships to two teams comprised of former collegiate all-stars played Clubs, community partners, broadcast partners and to expand coverage. exhibition games in cities throughout the Midwest. The tour MLB.com. This landmark relationship is sure to elevate NPF to was an overwhelming success and provided the framework for new levels. a true professional league. As part of its long-term sales, marketing and promotional Eight years of successful research and planning finally cul- campaign, NPF featured an All-Star Tour in 2003. The tour pro- minated in May 1997, with the Cowles family and title sponsor vided each of the league's expansion team owners with tools AT&T Wireless Services launching Women's Pro Fastpitch to lay the groundwork in their marketplace for the official (WPF). After completing two seasons as WPF, officials changed launch of league play in 2004. the name to WPSL in 1998. In 2004, all the hard work and planning paid-off for fans, The WPSL consisted of four teams located in the Eastern athletes, coaches and league officials with the relaunch of the United States in 2000. The world's most talented fastpitch league in six markets: Stockton, California; Tucson, Arizona; softball players, including former Olympians, collegiate All- Houston, Texas; Akron, Ohio; Lowell, Massachusetts; Americans and all-conference selections, highlighted the 15- Montclair, New Jersey. player rosters of the league's four squads. The Akron Racers, The 2004 season was distinguished by 178 league-wide Florida Wahoos, Ohio Pride and Tampa Bay FireStix each par- games, 96 of the best female softball players in the country, ticipated in the WPSL regular season. The Florida Wahoos the continued support of Major League Baseball as the Official defeated the Ohio Pride in the championship series held in Development Partner of NPF in the category of women's fast- Springfield, Mo. pitch softball, NPF playoffs (both best of three series went The 2001 "Tour of Fastpitch Champions" allowed the three games) and the inaugural NPF Championship with the WPSL to focus on expansion. The WPSL expansion plan took NY/NJ Juggernaut capturing the Championship Cowles Cup into consideration the need to re-shape the current structure with a victory over the New England Riptide, fourth place fin- of the league to accommodate the addition of important isher in the regular season. strategic partners vital to future growth and success of the In December, 2004, owners of the individual National Pro League. Fastpitch (NPF) teams announced a plan intended to transition The 2001 tour traveled to 11 cities that were targeted as operations of National Pro Fastpitch from the founding Cowles WPSL expansion candidates. Competition featured games family to an operating group consisting of team owners. between the WPSL Gold and All-Star teams as well as Canada, The efforts of the new ownership group will center on the USA National Teams and local all-star teams. Nine of these solidifying broadcast agreements locally and nationally, solicit- games were televised, seven on ESPN2 and two "live" on ing sponsorship support, and aligning with national softball ESPN, a first for the WPSL. The season was deemed a success associations to bring meaningful competition to each team with more than three million households witnessing a WPSL market and various grassroots events across the country. The game. Numerous cities are also being developed for future group will continue to recruit new teams and strengthen team ownership in the league. ownership in each market. The "Deuce" televised over 30 games from 1999 to 2001. Six to eight independently owned and operated pro fast- The broadcasts consistently out-rated those of Major League pitch teams are slated to play 48 games each, coast-to-coast Soccer (MLS) and the National Hockey League (NHL). in 2005, for a total of 144 league-wide games. Team markets Play was suspended during the 2002 season to restructure include Stockton, California; Tucson, Arizona; Houston, Texas; the organization and allow the league additional time to devel- Akron, Ohio; Lowell, Massachusetts; Montclair, New Jersey After being selected in 2004 with the first overall pick by the op and explore new expansion markets. However, a WPSL All- and Chicago, Illinois. The NPF season will start June 2nd and Akron Racers, Iyhia McMichael hit .339 in her first year en Star team competed in two exhibition games against the will culminate with the NPF Championship on August 28th. route to the NPF batting title, as well as league MVP honors.

94 MISSISSIPPI STATE TRADITIONS

THE BULLDOG STORY ississippi State University athletic teams are called Bulldogs, a name earned and main- MMtained over the decades by the tough, tena- cious play of student-athletes wearing the Maroon and White. The official school mascot is an American Kennel Club registered English Bulldog, given the inherited title of ‘Bully.’ As with most universities, Mississippi State University teams answered to different nicknames through the years. The first squads representing Mississippi A&M College were proud to be called Aggies. When the school officially became Mississippi State College in 1932, the nickname Maroons, for MSU’s uniform color, gained prominence. Bulldogs became the official title for State teams in 1961, not long after State College was granted university status. Yet references to school teams and athletes as Bulldogs actually go back to early in the century, and this nickname Bully XIX, “TaTonka Gold,” is State’s current live mascot, while a costumed Bully often makes his presence was used almost interchangeably known at all of Mississippi State’s athletic events with both Aggies and Maroons, since earned other fame the hard way, in 1939 when a cam- Miss game. The Bulldog team won anyway, 31-13. at least 1905. pus bus cut short his career. While early Bullys once roamed campus freely or lived On November 30 Days of campus mourning followed, as Bully lay in in fraternities, today the official university mascot is of that year, the state in a glass coffin. A half-mile funeral procession housed at the School of Veterinary Medicine when not A&M football team accompanied by the Famous Maroon Band and three on duty at State home football games. For all their shut out their arch- ROTC battalions went to Scott Field where Bully was fierce appearance and reputation, today’s mascot rivals from the buried under the bench at the 50-yard line. Even Life bulldogs are good-natured, friendly animals and University of magazine covered the event. Other Bullys have since favorites with children. Mississippi 11-0 in been buried by campus dorms, fraternity houses, and A student wearing a Bulldog suit, also answering Jackson, Miss. The also at the football stadium. to Bully, is part of the cheerleading team and assists campus newspaper, For years Bully was a target for kidnappers, the in stirring up State spirit at games and pep rallies. The Reflector, last incident occurring prior to the 1974 State-Ole reported: “After the game, filled with that emotion that accompanies every great victory, there Final Tribute Paid To Bully was nothing left for the cadets to do but to complete the The Reflector great victory by showing sympathy November 22, 1939 for the dead athletic spirit of the ————————————————— University, by having Bully, beloved English Bulldog mascot of a military funeral parade. Mississippi State Athletic teams, was buried “A coffin was beneath the gridiron turf of Scott Field on secured, decorated Tuesday’s cold and cloudy afternoon as more with University col- than 2,500 students and citizens of Starkville and ors and a bulldog State College joined in singing “Tention Maroon pup placed on top. It was then placed and White,” State’s fighting song. on the shoulders of a Seldom, if ever, has a dog ever been given dozen cadets, and such an elaborate burial. Killed when run over by the procession start- a bus Sunday afternoon (Nov. 19), Bully was ed down Capitol embalmed and his body lay in state in a campus Street, preceded by building (Lee Hall) until noon today. The glass- the brass band play- ing a very pathetic top casket was surrounded by more than a dozen funeral march.” wreaths of beautiful flowers. Other newspa- The entire cadet corps, three battalions per reports of the strong, the Maroon band of 86 pieces, the foot- victory commented ball squad, every student and many visitors took on the ‘bulldog’ style of play by the part in the half-mile procession and paid Bully a A&M eleven, and final tribute as he was buried beneath the State the Bulldog was players’ bench on Scott Field. soon publicly The Colonel Club, student service organiza- accepted as a school athletic symbol. Accounts of a tion, bore the Maroon and White-covered casket 1926 pep rally in Meridian, Miss., had another bulldog parading with students. to the burial place. John Beard, student presi- Use as an official game mascot began in 1935 dent, placed a wreath on the grave as Sam when coach Major Ralph Sasse, on ‘orders’ from his Wilhite read the late Senator Vest’s “An Eulogy team, went to Memphis, Tenn., to select a bulldog. to a Dog.” The big crowd gave the now famous Ptolemy, a gift of the Edgar Webster family, was cho- ‘Bully Growl’ and, after members of the football sen and the Bulldogs promptly defeated Alabama 20- 7. team had dropped flowers on the grave, the pro- A litter-mate of Ptolemy became the first mascot cession headed back to the campus chanting called ‘Bully’ shortly after Sasse’s team beat mighty “Beat Ole Miss.” Army 13-7 at West Point that same year - perhaps the greatest victory in MSU football history. But Bully I

95 MISSISSIPPI STATE TRADITIONS

In the 1960s two MSU professors, Earl W. THE COWBELL Terrell and Ralph L. Reeves obliged some stu- dents by welding handles on the bells so they he most unique and certainly the most could be rung with much more convenience and resounding symbol of Mississippi State authority. By 1963 the demand for these long- TT University tradition is the cowbell. Despite handled cowbells could not be filled by home decades of attempts by opponents and authori- workshops alone so, at the suggestion of Reeves, ties to banish it from scenes of competition, the Student Association bought bells in bulk and diehard State fans still celebrate Bulldog victo- the Industrial Education Club agreed to weld on ries loudly and proudly with the distinctive sound handles. In 1964, the MSU Bookstore began of ringing cowbells. marketing these cowbells with a portion of prof- The precise origin of the cowbell as a fixture its returning to those organizations. of MSU sports tradition remains unclear to this Today many styles of cowbells are available day. The best records have cowbells gradually on campus and around Starkville, with the top- introduced to the MSU sports scene in the late of-the-line being a heavy chrome-plated model 1930s and early 1940s, coinciding with the ‘gold- with a full Bulldog figurine handle. But experts en age’ of MSU football success prior to World insist the best and loudest results are produced War II. by a classic long-handled, bicycle-grip bell made The most popular legend is that during a of thinner and tightly-welded shells. home football game between State and arch- Cowbells decorate offices and homes of rival Mississippi, a jersey cow wandered onto the Mississippi State alumni, and are passed down playing field. Mississippi State soundly whipped through generations of Bulldog fans. But they the Rebels that Saturday, and State College stu- are not heard at Southeastern Conference dents immediately adopted the cow as a good games—not legally, at least—since the 1974 luck charm. Students are said to have continued adoption of a conference rule against ‘artificial bringing a cow to football games for a while, noisemakers’ at football and basketball games. until the practice was eventually discontinued in On a 9-1 vote, SEC schools ruled cowbells a dis- favor of bringing just the cow’s bell. ruption and banned them. Whatever the origin, it is certain that by the This has done little harm to the cowbell’s 1950s cowbells were common at MSU games, popularity, however, or to prevent cowbells from and by the 1960s were established as the special being heard outside stadiums in which the symbol of Mississippi State. Ironically, the cow- Bulldogs are playing.They can still be heard at bell’s popularity grew most rapidly during the non-conference football contests, as well as long years when State football teams were rarely other sporting events on campus. And bold successful. Flaunting this anachronism from the Bulldog fans still risk confiscation for the privi- ‘aggie’ days was a proud response by students lege of keeping a unique Mississippi State tradi- Custom made cowbells can often be seen and and alumni to outsider scorn of the university’s tion alive and ringing at SEC affairs. ‘cow college’ history. heard at all of State’s athletic events.

In the 101 years since, every Mississippi State “Hail State” MAROON & WHITE athlete has donned the Maroon and White in some sort of combination. Often a shade of gray aroon and White are the distinctive col- has been added to the scheme, such as for the Hail dear ole State! ors of Mississippi State athletic teams, numerals. Fight for that victory today. MM dating back over a century to the very Briefly in the 1980s, the men’s and women’s first football game ever played by the school’s basketball teams wore all-gray uniforms with Hit that line and tote that ball, student-athletes. maroon and white trim, while football has at On November 15, 1895, the first Mississippi times sported silver game pants, and baseball will Cross the goal before you fall! A&M football team was preparing for a road trip often wear all-gray road outfits. And then we’ll to Jackson, Tenn., to play Southern Baptist Only once has an MSU team appeared in any yell, yell, yell, yell! University (now Union University) the following other color combination. In 1938, football coach day. Since every college was supposed to have Spike Nelson secretly had cardinal and gold uni- For dear ole State its own uniform colors, the A&M student body forms made for State, a selection that did not sit requested that the school’s team select a suitable we’ll yell like H-E-L-L! well with the team or the college at the first combination. game. Neither the uniforms nor Nelson were Fight for Mis-sis-sip-pi State, Considering this choice to be an honor, the back for the next season. inaugural State team gave the privilege to team Win the game today! captain W.M. Matthews. Reports say Matthews chose Maroon and White without hesitation.

MSU Alma Mater In the heart of Mississippi, Made by none but God’s own hands, Stately in her natural splendor, Our Alma Mater proudly stands. Mississippi State, we love you; Fondest memories cling to thee, Life shall bear thy spirit ever; Loyal friends we’ll always be. CHORUS: Maroon and White! Maroon and White! Of thee with joy we sing;

Thy colors bright, Maroon and White clad fans can regularly be seen at all of Mississippi State’s athletic events. our souls delight; With praise our voices ring.

96