Contact: Maridith Geuder
STARKVILLE, Miss.--Mississippi State President Robert H. "Doc" Foglesong and head football coach Sylvester Croom will be among university representatives taking part in the first "Road Dawgs Tour" in May.
Both are scheduled to appear at most of the eight visits to cities in Mississippi and Alabama. They will be joined by others from the athletic department, as well as the MSU Alumni Association, Bulldog Club and admissions and scholarships office.
The tour is co-sponsored by the alumni association and the Bulldog Club.
While in each locale, the Maroon and White ambassadors will be joined by prospective students, business leaders, and alumni and friends of the university in a variety of activities.
"The purpose of the 'Road Dawgs' is to take MSU to local areas," said Jimmy Abraham, associate vice president for development and alumni. "We want our great university to reach so many people, so what better way than to take Mississippi State to them?"
Abraham, who also serves as executive director of the alumni association, said activities will include lunch with local civic groups and corporate sponsor visits during the afternoon.
Most evening events with local alumni, friends, and prospective students and parents will begin at 6 and are open to all. Only in Huntsville, Ala., May 22 will the public activity get under way at noon.
"MSU athletics is thrilled to be joining with the alumni association to get out and share our university with these local communities," said Greg Byrne, associate athletic director for external affairs. "We are excited about the opportunity to let our fans and alumni know how important they are to Mississippi State."
In addition to Huntsville, tour destinations include:
--Monday, the 7th, Meridian;
--Tuesday, the 8th, Tupelo;
--Wednesday, the 9th, Southaven;
--Thursday, the 10th, Greenville;
--Monday, the 14th, Ocean Springs;
--Tuesday, the 15th, Jackson;
--Tuesday, the 22nd, also in Birmingham, Ala.
"If you live in or near one of the cities the 'Road Dawgs' will be visiting, we encourage you to make plans to attend the events," Abraham said. "Let's get together and celebrate Mississippi State University in your hometown."
Persons interested in attending may register in advance at www.alumni.msstate.edu. For more information, contact the alumni association at 662-325-3444 or the Bulldog Club at 325-3074.
ATTN: LOCAL NEWS/ASSIGNMENT EDITORS: For information about the visit to your city, contact the following individual.
Meridian: Josh Thompson, 601-527-5266, jthompson.insu327@insuremail.net;
Tupelo: David Garrett, 662-377-4115, david.garrett@nmhs.net;
Southaven: Randy Allen, 901-828-0777, msuallen@midsouth.rr.com;
Greenville: Andy Dixon, 662-820-3325, adixon@gbtonline.com;
Ocean Springs: Buck Johnson, 228-669-9330, juliahj41@hotmail.com;
Jackson: Scott Polk, 601-918-3699, scott.e.polk@smithbarney.com;
Huntsville: Jim Pepper, 256-509-7621, jpepper@dcscorp.com;
Birmingham: Terri Russell, 205-529-3123, tr4state@gmail.com.
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For more information about Mississippi State University, see http://www.msstate.edu/.