Maroon Friday Update: Aug. 21
August 21, 2026 | Athletics
Happy Maroon Friday!
It's a great day to be a Mississippi State Bulldog!
There is something special about this time of year in Starkville.
Our students have made their way back to campus. Residence halls have filled up, traffic has picked up, and there is a renewed energy across our beautiful campus. After a summer of preparation, our campus feels whole again.
And in the Selmon house, we are feeling it too. Shayne and Meatball have joined their classmates and teachers in getting back into the routine of the school year, and we are especially excited to watch Shayne hit the volleyball court this fall. Like so many of you, we are settling back into the swing of things with practices, school nights and the packed calendars that come with a new year. We would not have it any other way!
That excitement extends to our teams as well. Last week, our soccer program "kicked off" the sports calendar for 2026-27, and Kevin O'Brien earned his first victory as a Mississippi State head coach. There are few moments more meaningful than that first win, and I could not be happier for "OB," his staff and our student-athletes. We are excited about the future of the program under his leadership and look forward to watching this team continue to grow throughout the season. You can catch them on the pitch this Sunday, August 23, against Southern Miss at 6 p.m. See you there!
Of course, football, volleyball and cross country are actively in their preseason camps, and there is a lot to be excited about.
Check out Football's Training Camp Coverage by clicking here.
We also had a chance last week to spend some time with the Famous Maroon Band. We stopped by practice with a snow cone truck to offer a small break from the Mississippi heat and thank them for the energy, tradition and pride they bring to our campus and gamedays. They work incredibly hard to prepare for the season, and we are grateful for all they do to create the atmosphere that makes Mississippi State unlike anywhere else.
Although competition for our sports programs paused for the summer, the work by our student-athletes, coaches and staff did not. For me, a lot of time is dedicated to strategic planning and working with our conference, alongside Dr. Keenum, on the national issues facing college athletics.
The Protect College Sports Act continues to be an important topic in Washington and across college athletics. Our team at Mississippi State is actively monitoring the legislation and the broader issues impacting the future of college sports. As the landscape continues to evolve, we will continue to adjust and evolve with it.
By now, I hope you know this about me and our team here at MSU Athletics: As these changes occur amid the disruption, we don't lament and we don't give up. We look for opportunities among the chaos.
Of course, there are times, more often than not, when we have to pivot. And when we do have to adjust course, it can feel painful because of the time and work committed toward a specific path, the passion and care we have for MSU, and our strong desire to move at a fast pace. But with each headwind or outside force, we forge a way forward. I am grateful to our staff for being committed to this.
Over the last three and a half years, we have taken bold steps forward. We've invested more than $80 million in various facility enhancements while simultaneously creating a decade-plus Facilities Master Plan to give us a vision and road map for the future. We've done this in the midst of the most transformative times in college athletics history, all while our investment in student-athlete talent acquisition and retention increased 12-fold.
Let me say that again - Because of the work of Bulldogs everywhere, we've invested in facilities at an incredible rate while also dramatically increasing our investment to meet the demands of building talented rosters in today's market.
Together, we will keep blazing forward.
As investments in student-athlete revenue sharing and talent management continue to increase, Mississippi State Athletics must continue investing in championship-caliber facilities while strengthening the recurring revenue streams that will sustain those investments for decades to come.
Our team has received some questions over the last month or so about our plans for enhancing the sound at Davis Wade Stadium and breaking ground on the Billy W. Howard Sr. Indoor Practice Facility. I will be the first to tell you, these projects must be completed and remain priorities.
This is a unique moment in college athletics. By nearly every measure, we are navigating the most tumultuous period in the history of college sports. We must stay adaptable. Our timelines on these projects are requiring continued evaluation as the national landscape takes shape. The reality is every athletics department across the country is actively monitoring the future of the Protect College Sports Act and where the broader revenue-sharing framework could land. We are building around a set of financials that aren't clearly established, but could be acted upon in short order. That is why our timing and plans are driven by an integrated capital strategy, one that positions Mississippi State to continue building at a championship level while preserving the financial flexibility necessary for long-term success, especially in the student-athlete revenue-sharing space.
We are working relentlessly to put Mississippi State in the best possible position every single day, and we must stay nimble and adaptable during this time of chaos in the marketplace.
We remain committed to these projects, and we will forge a way forward.
This week we had the opportunity to host two annual events that have turned into some of my favorite events of the year. On Wednesday, we had the opportunity to welcome over 350 student-athletes for our annual "Welcome Back Celebration." Our young people enjoyed competitions and great fellowship with their fellow Bulldogs. Here are some of my favorite snapshots from this event.
On Thursday morning, we hosted our annual Department Wide Staff Kick-Off meeting. This has become an annual meeting where our staff comes together to align clearly around our vision and expectations for the year. We focused on One Team. Clear Ownership. Relentless Execution. During this time we also heard from Coach Sam Ricketts and Coach Brian O'Connor on how they teach/coach these same expectations to their teams and we discussed how our staff can apply these principles to their daily lives. During this time, we recognized our Mississippi State Service Award receipts. This celebrates folks in our department who are celebrating 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 years of service. This year we had the following folks who were celebrating big milestones!
Our staff knows, we are relentless in our pursuit to continue to advance Mississippi State Athletics forward – but our staff, often behind the scenes, are the unsung heroes. We have a department full of committed and passionate people. I am so grateful to get to work with these folks every day!
This week also brings a few personal notes about members of our Bulldog family.
We are thinking about Katie and Joel Coleman and their family as they continue to navigate the health challenges facing one of their three young children. Joel continues to provide regular updates on his social accounts, and I encourage you to read about their story and journey. Cal has already been such an inspiration through his positive attitude and toughness. One of the best parts of Mississippi State is the way Bulldogs show up for one another, and I know our community joins me in keeping Cal Coleman and the entire Coleman family in our thoughts and prayers during this time.
We want to congratulate Ashley and Josh McCowan as they begin an exciting new chapter, with Josh being named Vice President and Director of Athletics at Florida Atlantic University. Josh has made a tremendous impact on Mississippi State Athletics as our Deputy AD and Chief Revenue Officer, and we are grateful for the time, energy and work he has poured into our department and our university. We wish Josh, Ashley and their family the very best in what comes next. Once a Bulldog, you're a Bulldog for life.
Over the last couple of weeks we have announced some exciting shows and performances at Humphrey Coliseum!
HARDY. LIVE. AT THE HUMP.
Humphrey Coliseum on Friday, October 2.
Be there for an exclusive night with one of the most distinctive voices in country-rock - and kick off an unforgettable weekend in Starkville before the Bulldogs take on Alabama at Davis Wade Stadium. Get your tickets by clicking here!
Comedian, Nate Bargatze, is bringing his Big Dumb Eyes Goes to College Tour to Humphrey Coliseum on Thursday, October 15. The Grammy-nominated comedian sold more than 1.2 million tickets in 2024 alone, broke 20 arena attendance records and is currently recognized by Pollstar as the #1 earning comedian in the world. Secure your tickets by clicking here!
The start of a new academic year is a reminder of why we do this work. Soon, our campus will be full, our venues will be rocking, and Bulldogs will be competing across the country representing Mississippi State.
To all our students coming back to campus, welcome home! We are glad you are back.
Hail State!
Zac
It's a great day to be a Mississippi State Bulldog!
There is something special about this time of year in Starkville.
Our students have made their way back to campus. Residence halls have filled up, traffic has picked up, and there is a renewed energy across our beautiful campus. After a summer of preparation, our campus feels whole again.
And in the Selmon house, we are feeling it too. Shayne and Meatball have joined their classmates and teachers in getting back into the routine of the school year, and we are especially excited to watch Shayne hit the volleyball court this fall. Like so many of you, we are settling back into the swing of things with practices, school nights and the packed calendars that come with a new year. We would not have it any other way!
That excitement extends to our teams as well. Last week, our soccer program "kicked off" the sports calendar for 2026-27, and Kevin O'Brien earned his first victory as a Mississippi State head coach. There are few moments more meaningful than that first win, and I could not be happier for "OB," his staff and our student-athletes. We are excited about the future of the program under his leadership and look forward to watching this team continue to grow throughout the season. You can catch them on the pitch this Sunday, August 23, against Southern Miss at 6 p.m. See you there!
Of course, football, volleyball and cross country are actively in their preseason camps, and there is a lot to be excited about.
Check out Football's Training Camp Coverage by clicking here.
We also had a chance last week to spend some time with the Famous Maroon Band. We stopped by practice with a snow cone truck to offer a small break from the Mississippi heat and thank them for the energy, tradition and pride they bring to our campus and gamedays. They work incredibly hard to prepare for the season, and we are grateful for all they do to create the atmosphere that makes Mississippi State unlike anywhere else.
The Protect College Sports Act continues to be an important topic in Washington and across college athletics. Our team at Mississippi State is actively monitoring the legislation and the broader issues impacting the future of college sports. As the landscape continues to evolve, we will continue to adjust and evolve with it.
By now, I hope you know this about me and our team here at MSU Athletics: As these changes occur amid the disruption, we don't lament and we don't give up. We look for opportunities among the chaos.
Of course, there are times, more often than not, when we have to pivot. And when we do have to adjust course, it can feel painful because of the time and work committed toward a specific path, the passion and care we have for MSU, and our strong desire to move at a fast pace. But with each headwind or outside force, we forge a way forward. I am grateful to our staff for being committed to this.
Over the last three and a half years, we have taken bold steps forward. We've invested more than $80 million in various facility enhancements while simultaneously creating a decade-plus Facilities Master Plan to give us a vision and road map for the future. We've done this in the midst of the most transformative times in college athletics history, all while our investment in student-athlete talent acquisition and retention increased 12-fold.
Let me say that again - Because of the work of Bulldogs everywhere, we've invested in facilities at an incredible rate while also dramatically increasing our investment to meet the demands of building talented rosters in today's market.
Together, we will keep blazing forward.
As investments in student-athlete revenue sharing and talent management continue to increase, Mississippi State Athletics must continue investing in championship-caliber facilities while strengthening the recurring revenue streams that will sustain those investments for decades to come.
Our team has received some questions over the last month or so about our plans for enhancing the sound at Davis Wade Stadium and breaking ground on the Billy W. Howard Sr. Indoor Practice Facility. I will be the first to tell you, these projects must be completed and remain priorities.
This is a unique moment in college athletics. By nearly every measure, we are navigating the most tumultuous period in the history of college sports. We must stay adaptable. Our timelines on these projects are requiring continued evaluation as the national landscape takes shape. The reality is every athletics department across the country is actively monitoring the future of the Protect College Sports Act and where the broader revenue-sharing framework could land. We are building around a set of financials that aren't clearly established, but could be acted upon in short order. That is why our timing and plans are driven by an integrated capital strategy, one that positions Mississippi State to continue building at a championship level while preserving the financial flexibility necessary for long-term success, especially in the student-athlete revenue-sharing space.
We are working relentlessly to put Mississippi State in the best possible position every single day, and we must stay nimble and adaptable during this time of chaos in the marketplace.
We remain committed to these projects, and we will forge a way forward.
This week we had the opportunity to host two annual events that have turned into some of my favorite events of the year. On Wednesday, we had the opportunity to welcome over 350 student-athletes for our annual "Welcome Back Celebration." Our young people enjoyed competitions and great fellowship with their fellow Bulldogs. Here are some of my favorite snapshots from this event.
This week also brings a few personal notes about members of our Bulldog family.
We are thinking about Katie and Joel Coleman and their family as they continue to navigate the health challenges facing one of their three young children. Joel continues to provide regular updates on his social accounts, and I encourage you to read about their story and journey. Cal has already been such an inspiration through his positive attitude and toughness. One of the best parts of Mississippi State is the way Bulldogs show up for one another, and I know our community joins me in keeping Cal Coleman and the entire Coleman family in our thoughts and prayers during this time.
We want to congratulate Ashley and Josh McCowan as they begin an exciting new chapter, with Josh being named Vice President and Director of Athletics at Florida Atlantic University. Josh has made a tremendous impact on Mississippi State Athletics as our Deputy AD and Chief Revenue Officer, and we are grateful for the time, energy and work he has poured into our department and our university. We wish Josh, Ashley and their family the very best in what comes next. Once a Bulldog, you're a Bulldog for life.
Over the last couple of weeks we have announced some exciting shows and performances at Humphrey Coliseum!
HARDY. LIVE. AT THE HUMP.
Humphrey Coliseum on Friday, October 2.
Be there for an exclusive night with one of the most distinctive voices in country-rock - and kick off an unforgettable weekend in Starkville before the Bulldogs take on Alabama at Davis Wade Stadium. Get your tickets by clicking here!
To all our students coming back to campus, welcome home! We are glad you are back.
Hail State!
Zac
Saturday, August 08
Thursday, August 21
Thursday, January 09
Monday, November 04