Maroon Friday Update: August 29
August 29, 2025 | Athletics
Happy Maroon Friday!
It's a great day to be a Mississippi State Bulldog!
Football season is officially here, and I think we are all feeling that extra shot of excitement. This morning, as I made the short drive to campus, I was struck by an overwhelming sense of gratitude - for the work, resilience, passion, and steps taken this offseason.
I am grateful for our student-athletes who proudly wear the Maroon and White, who aren't satisfied with where we've been, and who want to achieve so much more. I am grateful for our staff and coaches who pour into the young people we serve, often taking time away from their own families to invest in others. And I am grateful for our supporters and fans who, through it all, continue to show up wearing our maroon proudly. Thank you.
Last night was a tough game for our soccer team in Waco. I know Coach Zimmerman and the squad will learn from the disappointment of the loss to Baylor and will be back at it on Sunday versus Oklahoma State. Just this past Sunday, our soccer team secured a top-10 win against Wake Forest - an exciting result that gives me confidence our women will bounce back quickly. I hope you'll catch them when they return for a home match on Thursday, September 4 - a perfect kickoff to a great weekend in Starkville.
Last Sunday, before heading to the soccer game versus Wake Forest, we were invited to attend a celebration honoring Seth Slocum—MSU alum and Starkville's very own gold medalist from the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games. The celebration was a surprise to let Seth know he has once again qualified for the national stage. Seth, a powerlifter, has been selected to compete in the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games. Way to go, Seth! We are so proud of you! Thank you for representing the State of Mississippi, Starkville and Mississippi State so well!
On Monday, I had the opportunity to meet with our student-athlete leadership group. These young men and women represent each of our sport programs and the student-athlete body as a whole. This year our Bulldog Athlete Leadership Academy members include: Kyle Ferrie (football), Isaac Smith (football), Luke Work (football), Josh Hubbard (men's basketball), Dellquan Warren (men's basketball), Jack Gleason (baseball), Gatlin Sanders (baseball), Trip Duke (men's golf), Dain Richie (men's golf), Petar Jovanovic (men's tennis), Benito Sanchez Martinez (men's tennis), Christion Barker (men's track and field), Caleb Kaplan (men's track and field), Destiney McPhaul (women's basketball), Chandler Prater (women's basketball), Izzy Pellot (women's golf), Avery Weed (women's golf), Hannah Jibril (soccer), Ella Petersen (soccer), Morgan Bernardini (softball), Morgan Stiles (softball), Chiara Di Genova (women's tennis), Alessia Tagliente (women's tennis), Jewel Giles (women's track and field), Anje Nel (women's track and field), Kaitlyn Burge (women's track and field), McKenna Yates (volleyball), Cayley Hanson (volleyball).Â
While on the subject of leadership, I'd like to give a S.T.A.T.E. Shoutout for SERVE to some current and former student-athletes who have made an incredible impact across Mississippi. Through their NIL opportunities, these student-athletes have helped generate six figures in philanthropic support and direct impact in communities across the state. We are proud - and I know you are too. Using your opportunities and platform to uplift others truly embodies the Bulldog way.
Thank you to each of our partners and supporters who make this possible. The student-athletes who were part of this concentrated effort to serve, support, and uplift include:
After meeting with the Bulldog Leadership Academy on Monday evening, I hustled over to the Media Preview event, where we showcased new game day elements at Davis Wade Stadium to our core media members. While I am proud of the work completed so far, our team knows we can never be satisfied - we know the expectations around gamedays at DWS. We've spent countless hours focusing on this progress, and we're ready for you to see it. Check out the improvements made this off season.
As our football team prepares for tomorrow's matchup versus Southern Miss in Hattiesburg, our department staff continues to prepare Davis Wade Stadium to be packed a week from tomorrow. We need an electric environment for our home opener against Arizona State. Secure your tickets - we need you there!
This week, I also had the chance to meet with law enforcement partners who play a critical role in the operations and logistics throughout the football season. These individuals work tirelessly to ensure a safe, smooth environment so we can enjoy both the festivities and the game itself. When you see them around the stadium, please take a moment to thank them.
On Wednesday, I spent most of the morning with our architects reviewing plans for the Billy Howard Indoor Practice Facility. We are on schedule, progress is strong, and we are moving swiftly and deliberately.
Here in Starkville this weekend, our volleyball team is hosting the Maroon and White Invitational, with games tonight at 6:00 p.m., tomorrow at 7:00 p.m., and Sunday at 2:00 p.m. There are plenty of opportunities to see our volleyball team compete at Newell-Grissom. Admission is free - so if you're not traveling to Hattiesburg, I hope you will stop by and support the team.
This weekend officially marks the start of the 2025 football season for us. There has been a lot of change both for our program and nationally with college football, but at Mississippi State we know that when we stay together and plow forward, we can achieve new heights. My family and I are so grateful to be on this journey with you.
I'm currently reading The Daily Stoic Journal by Ryan Holiday, and one line continues to challenge me: "Think progress, not perfection." Winston Churchill said it another way: "Don't let perfection get in the way of progress."
Everything in me wants perfection - but history proves that if we continue to pursue our goals, take action, and execute what's in our control, we will achieve what we've set out to do. Do we still pay close attention to details? Of course. Do we still pursue excellence (or perfection)? Absolutely. But we must keep moving forward.
Thanks to our entire Bulldog Family for joining us this season. We want nothing more than to make you proud, I can assure you that.
Talk soon…
Zac
PS – If you are on X – I have a pair of custom Hail State sneakers available, and we are going to draw for a lucky winner this evening. Head over to my X account and reply with you wearing your maroon today to enter to win.
Â
It's a great day to be a Mississippi State Bulldog!
Football season is officially here, and I think we are all feeling that extra shot of excitement. This morning, as I made the short drive to campus, I was struck by an overwhelming sense of gratitude - for the work, resilience, passion, and steps taken this offseason.
I am grateful for our student-athletes who proudly wear the Maroon and White, who aren't satisfied with where we've been, and who want to achieve so much more. I am grateful for our staff and coaches who pour into the young people we serve, often taking time away from their own families to invest in others. And I am grateful for our supporters and fans who, through it all, continue to show up wearing our maroon proudly. Thank you.
Last night was a tough game for our soccer team in Waco. I know Coach Zimmerman and the squad will learn from the disappointment of the loss to Baylor and will be back at it on Sunday versus Oklahoma State. Just this past Sunday, our soccer team secured a top-10 win against Wake Forest - an exciting result that gives me confidence our women will bounce back quickly. I hope you'll catch them when they return for a home match on Thursday, September 4 - a perfect kickoff to a great weekend in Starkville.
Last Sunday, before heading to the soccer game versus Wake Forest, we were invited to attend a celebration honoring Seth Slocum—MSU alum and Starkville's very own gold medalist from the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games. The celebration was a surprise to let Seth know he has once again qualified for the national stage. Seth, a powerlifter, has been selected to compete in the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games. Way to go, Seth! We are so proud of you! Thank you for representing the State of Mississippi, Starkville and Mississippi State so well!
While on the subject of leadership, I'd like to give a S.T.A.T.E. Shoutout for SERVE to some current and former student-athletes who have made an incredible impact across Mississippi. Through their NIL opportunities, these student-athletes have helped generate six figures in philanthropic support and direct impact in communities across the state. We are proud - and I know you are too. Using your opportunities and platform to uplift others truly embodies the Bulldog way.
Thank you to each of our partners and supporters who make this possible. The student-athletes who were part of this concentrated effort to serve, support, and uplift include:
- Josh HubbardÂ
- Blake ShapenÂ
- Isaac SmithÂ
- Kamario Taylor
- Hunter Hines
- Stone Simmons
This week, I also had the chance to meet with law enforcement partners who play a critical role in the operations and logistics throughout the football season. These individuals work tirelessly to ensure a safe, smooth environment so we can enjoy both the festivities and the game itself. When you see them around the stadium, please take a moment to thank them.
On Wednesday, I spent most of the morning with our architects reviewing plans for the Billy Howard Indoor Practice Facility. We are on schedule, progress is strong, and we are moving swiftly and deliberately.
Here in Starkville this weekend, our volleyball team is hosting the Maroon and White Invitational, with games tonight at 6:00 p.m., tomorrow at 7:00 p.m., and Sunday at 2:00 p.m. There are plenty of opportunities to see our volleyball team compete at Newell-Grissom. Admission is free - so if you're not traveling to Hattiesburg, I hope you will stop by and support the team.
This weekend officially marks the start of the 2025 football season for us. There has been a lot of change both for our program and nationally with college football, but at Mississippi State we know that when we stay together and plow forward, we can achieve new heights. My family and I are so grateful to be on this journey with you.
I'm currently reading The Daily Stoic Journal by Ryan Holiday, and one line continues to challenge me: "Think progress, not perfection." Winston Churchill said it another way: "Don't let perfection get in the way of progress."
Everything in me wants perfection - but history proves that if we continue to pursue our goals, take action, and execute what's in our control, we will achieve what we've set out to do. Do we still pay close attention to details? Of course. Do we still pursue excellence (or perfection)? Absolutely. But we must keep moving forward.
Thanks to our entire Bulldog Family for joining us this season. We want nothing more than to make you proud, I can assure you that.
Talk soon…
Zac
PS – If you are on X – I have a pair of custom Hail State sneakers available, and we are going to draw for a lucky winner this evening. Head over to my X account and reply with you wearing your maroon today to enter to win.
Â
2024-25 Mississippi State Athletics Recap
Thursday, August 21
STATE OF MIND: EP 4 | FT. ZAC SELMON
Thursday, January 09
STATE OF MIND: EP 1 | FT. JOSH HUBBARD
Monday, November 04
Zac Selmon Joins Charlie Winfield And Bart Gregory On Out Of Left Field
Thursday, October 03