Contact: Maridith Geuder
STARKVILLE, Miss.--A weekend of activities often described as "spring homecoming" at Mississippi State will feature a new event this year sponsored by the university's alumni association.
With support from local sponsor BancorpSouth, the April 7-9 Super Bulldog Weekend will begin with a come-and-go "Super Tailgate Party" on the 7th. University students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends are being invited to the 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. festivities on the Drill Field.
Jimmy Abraham, alumni association executive director and "Tailgate" coordinator, said, "This is going to be a great beginning to a great weekend that will offer something for everyone, including appearances at 11:15 a.m. by head baseball coach Ron Polk and head football coach Sylvester Croom."
A free catfish meal with all the trimmings will be served immediately following the coaches' remarks, he added.
In case of inclement weather, activities will move beneath the ground-level east-side stands of Davis Wade Stadium.
"We're very grateful that BancorpSouth is providing support for the event so that we can offer this delicious meal as long as supplies last," Abraham said. Soft drinks and university-produced ice cream also will be provided.
Because of extensive construction in the central campus area, persons attending the event are being encouraged to park at Humphrey Coliseum and ride MSU shuttles. The campus transports will maintain a continuous 15-minute schedule between the coliseum and Colvard Union, which is located adjacent to the Drill Field.
"Super Tailgate" entertainment will feature the Mississippi Bluebloods, a popular Northeast Mississippi trio whose playlist ranges from traditional tunes to rock classics. In addition, members of the Famous Maroon Band will perform traditional athletic "fight songs."
Volleyball and Frisbee games, along with face-painting for kids, also will be available.
For those unable to attend--or not yet arrived on campus--MSU radio station WMSV (FM 91.1) will provide a live broadcast during the noontime period. A station-produced streaming audio via www.wmsv.msstate.edu also will carry the event around the world.
To view the activities, visit the Web cam site maintained by the industrial engineering department at www.ie.msstate.edu/netcam/netcam.htm.
"We want this event to be a fun and relaxing time to meet friends and to celebrate with the Mississippi State family as we prepare for a 'super' weekend," said Abraham, who also is associate vice president for external affairs.
For more information on this and other events planned for Super Bulldog Weekend, go to www.gameday.msstate.edu.