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Bulldog Brew 12/9: Balling Out

Bulldog Brew 12/9: Balling Out

Today, a pair of basketball recaps and a Bulldog softball signee spotlight

Zach Garrett
December 09, 2024

Good morning! Former Bulldog and elite NFL defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons was honored by being named a 2024 Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee, a prestigious award given for outstanding work in the community, by the Tennessee Titans.

What else did we throw into today’s Bulldog Brew?

🏀 A pair of basketball recaps
🥎 Bulldog signee spotlight
🐶 And much, much more!

🎙️ DEAR OL’ STATE

Dear Ol’ State: MSU Football’s Mark Votteler On Putting Together A Signing Class. On the heels of State football bringing in a bunch of new Bulldogs last week, MSU associate athletic director of player personnel Marc Votteler joins Joel Coleman and Logan Lowery to give a peek behind the curtain at how a signing class comes together.

📈 STOCK UP

🔼 It’s How You Finish. After a slow start, Bulldog men’s basketball battled back to defeat Prarie View A&M 91-84. The individual performances of Josh Hubbard and Claudell Harris Jr. were vital as the duo combined for 46 points with Hubbard scoring 25 and Harris tallying 21. Now 8-1 on the season, State will head just up the road to Tupelo to face McNeese in a neutral site game at Cadence Bank Arena on Saturday, Dec. 14.

🔼 Keeping It Rolling. Bulldog women's basketball ran past Chicago State, 102-42, on Sunday, improving to 9-1 on the season and 37-7 in non-conference action under Purcell. Jerkaila Jordan posted 21 points on 9-13 from the field, in addition to five rebounds, five blocks, three assists and three steals while Madina Okot recorded the third double-double of her career with 18 points and 11 rebounds.

🔼 Signee Spotlight. Brinkley Moreton, the No. 23 player in the class according to Extra Inning Softball, signed with Mississippi State Softball in November. The Summers, Arkansas, native was also tabbed No. 44 in the class by Perfect Game. The pitcher also has experience at the plate and is considered the No. 10 two-way player in the nation.

🗣️ "She is a fierce competitor and reminds me of Coach T [Taryne Mowatt-McKinney] as a player, and I can't wait for the two of them to start working together. We are looking forward to having Brinkley in Starkville soon and expect her to do big things in the Maroon and White." - Samantha Ricketts, head coach

🔼 A Generous Gift. Mississippi State Athletics has received a $1.75 million gift to the State Excellence Fund from a family who chooses to remain anonymous, Director of Athletics Zac Selmon announced Friday. The announcement comes after MSU Athletics received a $3 million commitment to the State Excellence Fund from another family of devoted supporters just last week. Over the past month, MSU has received more than $6 million in commitments to the State Excellence Fund.

On October 5, 1991, sixteen-year-old Robbie Sullivan suffered a life-changing accident while bow hunting alone on family land. After dislocating his shoulder on an old ten-foot deer stand, Robbie passed out from the pain and fell to the ground, crushing his spine around the T-6 vertebrae and leaving him paralyzed from the waist down. Reflecting on the incident, Robbie emphasizes the importance of safe hunting practices, advocating for measures like never hunting alone, wearing a safety harness, using hunter’s orange, and ensuring stands are secure. He regrets not using a safety harness that day, which could have prevented the fall. Despite his injury, Robbie continues to hunt with organizations like Hope Outdoors, which assists individuals with disabilities in enjoying outdoor activities, and credits his family for their unwavering support in helping him rebuild his life. “Just keep living, that’s all you can do,” states Robbie.

Now the Chief Financial Officer and Sports Coordinator for the Metro Area Community Empowerment (MACE), Robbie leads programs that promote physical fitness and recreational opportunities for individuals with spinal cord injuries through wheelchair sports. MACE, a grant recipient of the Traumatic Brain Injury and Spinal Cord Injury Trust Fund facilitated by the Office of Special Disabilities Programs under The Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services (MDRS), helps people overcome physical limitations and embrace new opportunities in sports, careers, and social life. Robbie encourages others with similar life-altering injuries to seek support, stay active, and remain hopeful. MDRS has also provided Robbie with vehicle modifications to maintain his independence, enabling him to continue his many extracurricular activities. “I know a lot of people think, especially after they get hurt, that it’s the end of their world. It’s not. If you try to get in touch with anybody, get in touch with MDRS. They have connections with organizations whether it’s jobs, sports, or hunting related. They can connect you with others who have lived through life altering events and would love to talk with you,” Robbie adds. To learn more about MDRS services, visit www.mdrs.ms.gov or call 1-800-443-1000.

🤔 BULLDOG TRIVIA

Trio of Honors. Today’s trivia question…which historic Bulldog soccer trio received national recognition last week for their playing during the 2024 season?

Think you got it? Scroll to the bottom of the Bulldog Brew to see if you know your stuff!

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📆 THE WEEK AHEAD

Monday, December 9 - Friday, December 13
No scheduled events

Sunday, December 15
No scheduled events

🐶 Click here to see the full Mississippi State Athletics Calendar

🎉 TRIVIA ANSWER

Answer: Macey Hodge, Maddy Anderson, and Rylie Combs!

For the first time in program history, the Bulldogs boasted three United Soccer Coaches All-Americans, with Hodge, Anderson, and Combs earning prestigious national honors.

🐶 Have a great Monday, y'all!