STARKVILLE – They’re the heart and soul of Mississippi State athletics. They’re the ones who give absolutely all they have to help the Dawgs Win Again.
They’re the MSU student-athletes and coaches, and on Monday night at The Mill Conference Center, they all gathered together to celebrate another incredible year of State sports with the annual Maroon & White Night.
The event essentially serves as an MSU-centric ESPYS, complete with a maroon carpet, photo opportunities, a formal dinner and awards banquet. It’s a special evening for all and a chance to honor those who excel on the field or court, as well as those who shine in the classroom and make an impact in the community.
“Tonight, student-athletes, it’s about each of you,” State athletics director Zac Selmon said as he stood at the podium addressing the main room. “It’s about the teams, the individuals, the community service, the academic and professional development, sportsmanship, grit and exceptional leadership each of you show. It’s also about the great coaches we have in this room…
“There’s no better time to be a Mississippi State Bulldog. We’ve got top golfers in the world. We’ve got champions all around. We’ve got scholar-athletes in the SEC. We’ve got draft picks. We’ve got Olympians. Everything you need, all the ingredients are right here in Starkville, Mississippi.”
Of course, no awards banquet would be complete without hardware handed out. All awards were determined based on the results of each sport’s most recently completed season – meaning for softball, baseball, golf, tennis and outdoor track and field, the 2022 campaign was considered as the 2023 season remains in progress.
Highlights from the night included Bulldog track and field star Cameron Crump taking home the Male Athlete of the Year honor, while golfer Julia Lopez Ramirez was tabbed Female Athlete of the Year.
Earlier this year, Crump became the first MSU male track athlete to ever claim one of the SEC’s yearly indoor specialty awards when he was tabbed the SEC Men’s Indoor Field Athlete of the Year. Meanwhile Lopez Ramirez’s honor was bestowed after her amazing 2021-22 showing that saw her become State’s first women’s golfer to ever become SEC Freshman of the Year.
Both MSU basketball coaches – men’s coach Chris Jans and women’s coach Sam Purcell – were selected as…
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