Mississippi State’s athletics department has received a much-appreciated $1.75 million gift in an ever-evolving college sports landscape.
According to Athletics Director Zac Selmon, the money was gifted to the State Excellence Fund, which aims to enhance student-athlete resources and provide athletic benefits in a highly competitive environment, by an anonymous family with deep ties to the university.
Name, image, and likeness compensation and the transfer portal have certainly created an opportunity for schools like Mississippi State to compete with counterparts that have historically been at the apex of the sports world.
However, for a program to catch up with others, a collective effort must be undertaken to ensure that resources are available to attract premier athletes. This gift, paired with a $3 million commitment announced last week and an $8 million pledge secured in September, is anticipated by Bulldog officials to aid in the program’s efforts to deliver quality athletics across the board.
“Mississippi State University has profoundly shaped our family across generations, with my own attendance and two of our three children proudly graduating as Bulldogs,” the anonymous family said. “We are deeply inspired by Athletic Director Zac Selmon’s commitment to excellence and his forward-thinking vision for MSU’s athletic programs. It is a privilege to support this transformative journey and to give back to an institution that has significantly enriched our lives.”
The State Excellence Fund was launched earlier this fall amid a dismal 2024 Bulldog football campaign that yielded a 2-10 overall record in Jeff Lebby’s head coaching debut. As revenue sharing nears its premiere in college athletics, money sent to the State Excellence Fund is expected to provide a boost for the maroon and white.
“We are deeply grateful for the tremendous support from this family of Bulldogs,” Selmon said. “This family bleeds Maroon and White and are devoted champions for our sports programs, student-athletes, and coaches. Their generosity and commitment to excellence is sure to make a lasting impact on Mississippi State Athletics.”