Vicksburg Daily News –
Story from MSU Athletics:
STARKVILLE – Mississippi State Director of Athletics Zac Selmon today announced the receipt of a single pledge of $8 million to Mississippi State Athletics to advance its mission of delivering exceptional competitive resources that will uplift the Bulldogs football program. This monumental gift, committed by a family who wishes to remain anonymous, is the second-largest commitment in MSU Athletics history and will help fuel the momentum of Mississippi State Football and kick start the State Excellence Fund, the Mississippi State Athletics fund of the future.
“This thoughtful and generous investment in our program is critical to what we are building here in Starkville in this new era of college athletics,” Selmon said. “To be an elite-level program, it takes elite-level resources. A gift of this magnitude shows the unwavering drive to establish Mississippi State Football as a premier college football destination for many years to come. I could not be more grateful for the commitment to championing our programs and players.”
As Mississippi State continues to adapt to the new era of college athletics, this gift will formally launch the State Excellence Fund which will be dedicated to enhancing student-athlete resources and providing athletic benefits in a highly competitive environment.
“This investment in our program shows that State fans are ‘all-in’ when it comes to helping provide the resources it takes to compete in the toughest conference in the country,” MSU head football coach Jeff Lebby said. “Having their support and belief in what we’re building is crucial for us as we continue to move forward. There are truly no words that can describe how thankful I am for the commitment to the program I am blessed to lead.”
The family, who are Bulldog Club members and members of the Cristil Society said, “We would like to thank Zac and his staff for their efforts working with us to put this investment together and officially launch the State Excellence Fund. We also would like to thank Coach Lebby for his hard work, determination, and commitment to building a winning program at Mississippi State since he and his family arrived on campus less than one year ago. Whether you are playing sports or running a business, we know that having relentless drive, a strong vision, and a willingness to outwork the competition are keys to success. We believe Zac and Coach Lebby both personify those core principles. A key part of executing their vision will be access to very necessary resources, which is why we want to ensure we are doing our part to bolster Mississippi State Football. To build a sustained winning culture and program in today’s climate it’s going to take us all coming together to ensure our program has what it needs to recruit, train and keep top talent. With the launch of the State Excellence Fund, it provides the opportunity for fans and supporters to make a direct investment, regardless of the amount, in our future. We firmly believe in what we can accomplish together. We are proud to be Mississippi State Bulldogs.”
Mississippi State continues to fundraise for the future. If you are interested in learning more or supporting these necessary initiatives, click here.
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