BulldogBacker's Tupelo Road Dawgs Report...

[dawgstudent]

From BulldawgJunction.com

When I drove up to Tupelo to go to the Road Show there were several questions in my mind. Not all were answered, but some were. First, I wanted to know if David Garrett would show up. David is Chris Garrett's Dad and the current President of the Lee County MSU Alumni Association. David Garrett was there, but did not act as a moderator, nor did he speak, as he had done last year. Coach Croom did walk up to him and say hello. Jimmy Abraham was the first MSU speaker and also introduced his son, Josh Abraham, who is the Head Coach of Tupelo's superb high school baseball team. Jimmy pointed out that MSU is at a threshold, that we have the opportunity to make a huge leap forward. He pointed out that, once again, MSU lead all State supported school in freshman ACT entrance scores with 23.9 being the mean score. He pointed out there were two ways to become a member of the Alumni Association, either to join the Alumni Association or the Bulldog Club. He said the National Alumni Association had 5 key initiatives:

1. Continue our growth, both in size and service to the State of Mississippi.
2. Provide Alumni Association Members with opportunities for involvement and different services and discounts for membership.
3. Communicate with Alumni, and let them know what was going on with MSU.
4. Recruit new members and new students to MSU.
5. Stay engaged with both current and past students throughout their careers.

Greg Byrne was the next speaker, and laid out his major objectives for the Athletic Department.

1. Graduate our student athletes.
2. Follow the rules of the NCAA.
3. Provide first class representation of MSU before the public, including all our athletes dressing properly.
4. Maintain fiscal responsibility and grow and maximize revenue streams.
5. Compete for Championships. The way the alumnus and fan can help us help us compete, is to help grow revenue, so we aren't the lowest in the SEC. That means 1) Buy Season Tickets, 2) Join the Bulldog Club and 3) get your MSU friends and supporters to join.

Greg also said there would be a new Jumbotron at the football field either this fall or the next, but wanted to make sure we went first class. He also said he is involved in the baseball coach search, pointed out that he has Ron Polk's views, but that he is going to make the decision best for MSU.

Greg then introduced Coach Croom, and Coach Croom got a standing ovation. Coach was superb as always. He got a big laugh when he said that some people from the state to the East kept reminding him that that was home, and he said he made it perfectly clear to them that this is his home now...meaning Mississippi State. He made mention of the incident on campus and said it was just as big a shock to him as everyone else. He said Mike Brown had never ever had a discipline problem of any kind, but that now he is gone, both he Quentin Wesley and Jamon Hughes are gone for good. Jamon has already transferred. He said AJ and Ron Prince may have a chance to come back. He pointed out that he had several concerns when Spring Training started. He said he had concern about TE, C, and DE. He also said he knows we have to become more explosive on offense, and score more points. He said J.C. Brignone had really done well at Center, and he feels very comfortable with D.J. Looney backing him. He said Brandon Henderson, Marcus Green, and Nelson Hurst have really come on, so he feels very comfortable with TE now. He talked about the "emergence" of Robert Eliot and Wade Bonner. He talked about the WR's being very good, and made a point in saying O'Neal Wilder may be the fastest player in maroon and white in many years. He says Wilder has a chance to be something very special. He thinks both the offense and defense will be improved. He doesn't think we are quite at the level of 2-3 of the premier teams, but we are getting closer. He talked about the defense, and said it will, once again, be the strength of the team. He may special comment about Coach Cheese Harbison, and his impact on the safeties, and talked about the safeties.

Coach Croom was the only head coach at the meeting. They said Rick was out on the road recruiting, and couldn't be there. There were no earthshaking announcements, but it was a good meeting nonetheless.

 

[dawgstudent]

From BulldawgJunction.com

When I drove up to Tupelo to go to the Road Show there were several questions in my mind. Not all were answered, but some were. First, I wanted to know if David Garrett would show up. David is Chris Garrett's Dad and the current President of the Lee County MSU Alumni Association. David Garrett was there, but did not act as a moderator, nor did he speak, as he had done last year. Coach Croom did walk up to him and say hello. Jimmy Abraham was the first MSU speaker and also introduced his son, Josh Abraham, who is the Head Coach of Tupelo's superb high school baseball team. Jimmy pointed out that MSU is at a threshold, that we have the opportunity to make a huge leap forward. He pointed out that, once again, MSU lead all State supported school in freshman ACT entrance scores with 23.9 being the mean score. He pointed out there were two ways to become a member of the Alumni Association, either to join the Alumni Association or the Bulldog Club. He said the National Alumni Association had 5 key initiatives:

1. Continue our growth, both in size and service to the State of Mississippi.
2. Provide Alumni Association Members with opportunities for involvement and different services and discounts for membership.
3. Communicate with Alumni, and let them know what was going on with MSU.
4. Recruit new members and new students to MSU.
5. Stay engaged with both current and past students throughout their careers.

Greg Byrne was the next speaker, and laid out his major objectives for the Athletic Department.

1. Graduate our student athletes.
2. Follow the rules of the NCAA.
3. Provide first class representation of MSU before the public, including all our athletes dressing properly.
4. Maintain fiscal responsibility and grow and maximize revenue streams.
5. Compete for Championships. The way the alumnus and fan can help us help us compete, is to help grow revenue, so we aren't the lowest in the SEC. That means 1) Buy Season Tickets, 2) Join the Bulldog Club and 3) get your MSU friends and supporters to join.

Greg also said there would be a new Jumbotron at the football field either this fall or the next, but wanted to make sure we went first class. He also said he is involved in the baseball coach search, pointed out that he has Ron Polk's views, but that he is going to make the decision best for MSU.

Greg then introduced Coach Croom, and Coach Croom got a standing ovation. Coach was superb as always. He got a big laugh when he said that some people from the state to the East kept reminding him that that was home, and he said he made it perfectly clear to them that this is his home now...meaning Mississippi State. He made mention of the incident on campus and said it was just as big a shock to him as everyone else. He said Mike Brown had never ever had a discipline problem of any kind, but that now he is gone, both he Quentin Wesley and Jamon Hughes are gone for good. Jamon has already transferred. He said AJ and Ron Prince may have a chance to come back. He pointed out that he had several concerns when Spring Training started. He said he had concern about TE, C, and DE. He also said he knows we have to become more explosive on offense, and score more points. He said J.C. Brignone had really done well at Center, and he feels very comfortable with D.J. Looney backing him. He said Brandon Henderson, Marcus Green, and Nelson Hurst have really come on, so he feels very comfortable with TE now. He talked about the "emergence" of Robert Eliot and Wade Bonner. He talked about the WR's being very good, and made a point in saying O'Neal Wilder may be the fastest player in maroon and white in many years. He says Wilder has a chance to be something very special. He thinks both the offense and defense will be improved. He doesn't think we are quite at the level of 2-3 of the premier teams, but we are getting closer. He talked about the defense, and said it will, once again, be the strength of the team. He may special comment about Coach Cheese Harbison, and his impact on the safeties, and talked about the safeties.

Coach Croom was the only head coach at the meeting. They said Rick was out on the road recruiting, and couldn't be there. There were no earthshaking announcements, but it was a good meeting nonetheless.

 

[dawgstudent]

From BulldawgJunction.com

When I drove up to Tupelo to go to the Road Show there were several questions in my mind. Not all were answered, but some were. First, I wanted to know if David Garrett would show up. David is Chris Garrett's Dad and the current President of the Lee County MSU Alumni Association. David Garrett was there, but did not act as a moderator, nor did he speak, as he had done last year. Coach Croom did walk up to him and say hello. Jimmy Abraham was the first MSU speaker and also introduced his son, Josh Abraham, who is the Head Coach of Tupelo's superb high school baseball team. Jimmy pointed out that MSU is at a threshold, that we have the opportunity to make a huge leap forward. He pointed out that, once again, MSU lead all State supported school in freshman ACT entrance scores with 23.9 being the mean score. He pointed out there were two ways to become a member of the Alumni Association, either to join the Alumni Association or the Bulldog Club. He said the National Alumni Association had 5 key initiatives:

1. Continue our growth, both in size and service to the State of Mississippi.
2. Provide Alumni Association Members with opportunities for involvement and different services and discounts for membership.
3. Communicate with Alumni, and let them know what was going on with MSU.
4. Recruit new members and new students to MSU.
5. Stay engaged with both current and past students throughout their careers.

Greg Byrne was the next speaker, and laid out his major objectives for the Athletic Department.

1. Graduate our student athletes.
2. Follow the rules of the NCAA.
3. Provide first class representation of MSU before the public, including all our athletes dressing properly.
4. Maintain fiscal responsibility and grow and maximize revenue streams.
5. Compete for Championships. The way the alumnus and fan can help us help us compete, is to help grow revenue, so we aren't the lowest in the SEC. That means 1) Buy Season Tickets, 2) Join the Bulldog Club and 3) get your MSU friends and supporters to join.

Greg also said there would be a new Jumbotron at the football field either this fall or the next, but wanted to make sure we went first class. He also said he is involved in the baseball coach search, pointed out that he has Ron Polk's views, but that he is going to make the decision best for MSU.

Greg then introduced Coach Croom, and Coach Croom got a standing ovation. Coach was superb as always. He got a big laugh when he said that some people from the state to the East kept reminding him that that was home, and he said he made it perfectly clear to them that this is his home now...meaning Mississippi State. He made mention of the incident on campus and said it was just as big a shock to him as everyone else. He said Mike Brown had never ever had a discipline problem of any kind, but that now he is gone, both he Quentin Wesley and Jamon Hughes are gone for good. Jamon has already transferred. He said AJ and Ron Prince may have a chance to come back. He pointed out that he had several concerns when Spring Training started. He said he had concern about TE, C, and DE. He also said he knows we have to become more explosive on offense, and score more points. He said J.C. Brignone had really done well at Center, and he feels very comfortable with D.J. Looney backing him. He said Brandon Henderson, Marcus Green, and Nelson Hurst have really come on, so he feels very comfortable with TE now. He talked about the "emergence" of Robert Eliot and Wade Bonner. He talked about the WR's being very good, and made a point in saying O'Neal Wilder may be the fastest player in maroon and white in many years. He says Wilder has a chance to be something very special. He thinks both the offense and defense will be improved. He doesn't think we are quite at the level of 2-3 of the premier teams, but we are getting closer. He talked about the defense, and said it will, once again, be the strength of the team. He may special comment about Coach Cheese Harbison, and his impact on the safeties, and talked about the safeties.

Coach Croom was the only head coach at the meeting. They said Rick was out on the road recruiting, and couldn't be there. There were no earthshaking announcements, but it was a good meeting nonetheless.

 

[dawgstudent]

From BulldawgJunction.com

When I drove up to Tupelo to go to the Road Show there were several questions in my mind. Not all were answered, but some were. First, I wanted to know if David Garrett would show up. David is Chris Garrett's Dad and the current President of the Lee County MSU Alumni Association. David Garrett was there, but did not act as a moderator, nor did he speak, as he had done last year. Coach Croom did walk up to him and say hello. Jimmy Abraham was the first MSU speaker and also introduced his son, Josh Abraham, who is the Head Coach of Tupelo's superb high school baseball team. Jimmy pointed out that MSU is at a threshold, that we have the opportunity to make a huge leap forward. He pointed out that, once again, MSU lead all State supported school in freshman ACT entrance scores with 23.9 being the mean score. He pointed out there were two ways to become a member of the Alumni Association, either to join the Alumni Association or the Bulldog Club. He said the National Alumni Association had 5 key initiatives:

1. Continue our growth, both in size and service to the State of Mississippi.
2. Provide Alumni Association Members with opportunities for involvement and different services and discounts for membership.
3. Communicate with Alumni, and let them know what was going on with MSU.
4. Recruit new members and new students to MSU.
5. Stay engaged with both current and past students throughout their careers.

Greg Byrne was the next speaker, and laid out his major objectives for the Athletic Department.

1. Graduate our student athletes.
2. Follow the rules of the NCAA.
3. Provide first class representation of MSU before the public, including all our athletes dressing properly.
4. Maintain fiscal responsibility and grow and maximize revenue streams.
5. Compete for Championships. The way the alumnus and fan can help us help us compete, is to help grow revenue, so we aren't the lowest in the SEC. That means 1) Buy Season Tickets, 2) Join the Bulldog Club and 3) get your MSU friends and supporters to join.

Greg also said there would be a new Jumbotron at the football field either this fall or the next, but wanted to make sure we went first class. He also said he is involved in the baseball coach search, pointed out that he has Ron Polk's views, but that he is going to make the decision best for MSU.

Greg then introduced Coach Croom, and Coach Croom got a standing ovation. Coach was superb as always. He got a big laugh when he said that some people from the state to the East kept reminding him that that was home, and he said he made it perfectly clear to them that this is his home now...meaning Mississippi State. He made mention of the incident on campus and said it was just as big a shock to him as everyone else. He said Mike Brown had never ever had a discipline problem of any kind, but that now he is gone, both he Quentin Wesley and Jamon Hughes are gone for good. Jamon has already transferred. He said AJ and Ron Prince may have a chance to come back. He pointed out that he had several concerns when Spring Training started. He said he had concern about TE, C, and DE. He also said he knows we have to become more explosive on offense, and score more points. He said J.C. Brignone had really done well at Center, and he feels very comfortable with D.J. Looney backing him. He said Brandon Henderson, Marcus Green, and Nelson Hurst have really come on, so he feels very comfortable with TE now. He talked about the "emergence" of Robert Eliot and Wade Bonner. He talked about the WR's being very good, and made a point in saying O'Neal Wilder may be the fastest player in maroon and white in many years. He says Wilder has a chance to be something very special. He thinks both the offense and defense will be improved. He doesn't think we are quite at the level of 2-3 of the premier teams, but we are getting closer. He talked about the defense, and said it will, once again, be the strength of the team. He may special comment about Coach Cheese Harbison, and his impact on the safeties, and talked about the safeties.

Coach Croom was the only head coach at the meeting. They said Rick was out on the road recruiting, and couldn't be there. There were no earthshaking announcements, but it was a good meeting nonetheless.

 

[TR.sixpack]

[No message]

 

[DesotoCountyDawg]

[No message]

 

[dawgstudent]

[No message]

 

[Stuttgart]

but I coulda sworn that Gary Enis, Jr. is Tupelo's head ball coach and not someone named Josh Abraham.

Gary played catcher at Tupelo, Delta State and most importantly for the Chesterfield All-stars, circa 1982.

 

[TR.sixpack]

Backer made the exact post on Genespage plus this: "He made the point that if 24 of his players were to steal radios or pillows, he would kick them all off the team. " Somehow that didn't make your cut and paste.

 

[dawgoneyall]

He said he was an assistant baseball coach. Not the head coach.

 

[dawgoneyall]

that if there had been 24 clocks missing there would be 24 players off the team.

It was the obligatory jab. Nothing else.

 

[TilloDawg]

are allowed back by the University, they will have to sit out a year, and will then be eligible for the 2009 season.

 

[DerHntr]

From Byrne

3. Provide first class representation of MSU before the public, including all our athletes dressing properly.

Fixed it for him:

3. Provide first class representation of MSU before the public, including all our athletes not shooting guns on campus and dressing properly .

 

[Bulldog Backer]

...but he did say if 24 of his players stole ( I thought he said radios and not clocks) they would all be off the team. In fact, he said "any number" after that. It brought a big applause from the folks there.

 

[Bulldog Backer]

...but I think everyone knew who he was talking about.

 

[dawgstudent]

[No message]

 

[dawgstudent]

[No message]

 

[RebelBruiser]

Yea, that's a load of BS. If a player takes a clock from a hotel, he'll kick them off the team, but if they get in a bar fight, or they are involved in aiding someone hide a gun, or if they get a DUI, he'll keep them on the team.

I'd buy it if he said "if I had 24 walk ons take clock radios, they would be off the team", but if any of his top players did something like that, he'd either try to do like we did and keep it under wraps, or he'd make them run extra sprints at the end of practice.

Edited to add: I really don't care what Croom does for discipline. If he wants to let anyone play that isn't getting kicked out of school, that's fine with me. In fact, I'd encourage him to do so. His job is to win. What I do have a problem with is his constant talk about discipline, as if he does things differently with his boys than anywhere else. He'd be better off just keeping his mouth shut and running his program, rather than throwing in jabs like that, even if it is at an alumni meeting.

 

[Ole Miss Grad]

But I find it hard to believe Croom would kick anyone off for that offense.

His prior history with dicipline doesn't point to that happening at all.

Surely everyone can see stealing a pillow that was automatically going to be paid for is not the equivalent of drug arrests, fighting cops, dui, firing guns on campus, etc.

Again, I'm not trying to start a smack thread, I just have to call BS on that statement.</p>

 

[Ole Miss Grad]

I agree, especially considering the staff we have now is different from the one that was here during that event.

 

[DawgatAuburn]

[No message]

 

[dawgstudent]

I was but I don't think I am anymore. Regardless, I read Genespage about once a week.

 

[hatfieldms]

Croom is an idiot for even saying it. He knows damn well he wouldnt kick anyone off of the team for stealing a radio from a hotel

 

[dawgstudent]

[No message]

 

[Shmuley]

"I have Ron Polk's views, but I am going to make the best decision for MSU."

I know what my reaction would have been.

 

[hatfieldms]

I dont care if it was the middle of the season nor the off season. There is no way in hell he kicks 24 players off of the team for an offense like that

 

[TR.sixpack]

[No message]

 

[awalkerdog]

and ya'll are dumbasses if you think he was serious and not making a joke, damn, just damn.

 

[TR.sixpack]

I'd say it's okay to make that statement, but MSU players get in as much trouble as any other program. I don't blame Croom for that however.

He just sounds foolish making fun of another school when we've had much more serious problems the past semester.

 

[Bulldog Backer]

...only partially understood. Josh certainly looked young to be a head baseball coach of a 5A team.

 

[dawgstudent]

and people applauded in agreement then in no way can that be construed as a joke.

And I could be completely wrong.

 

[Bulldog Backer]

...and since I thought it was funny, I added it to the Gene's Page post. Yes, it was a poke in the eye to Ole Miss, but Ole Miss under the miscreant Orgeron, was a nothing but a joke. That was the worst hire ever by our little sister to the northeast.

 

[dawgstudent]

In the context of the way you presented the quote, it just seemed he was not.

 

[Bulldog Backer]

...I think the use of the term "24 players" was a humorous poke at Ole Miss. I don't think the 24 player comment can be viewed in terms of black or white. I think the comment was figurative, rather than literal. I honestly don't know what he would do should an actual event arise.

 

[MTNDawg.sixpack]

For a change we have a coach that spoonfeeds the WWL anything he wants to and they run with it. He could say our guys have more discipline than Army and Navy and they would report it as the gospel.

Make jabs at Ole Miss all you want to Croom. I don't understand why anyone on this message board would complain about that. Croom is close to untouchable and that is what irritates the other school. This is the only time that I can remember anyone at MSU being able to say whatever he wants to and not be blasted by the media for it. Enjoy it and find something else to ***** about you bunch of women.

 

[DawgTeacher]

but just to set the record, yes, Gary Enis is the head coach at Tupelo and Josh Abraham is 1 of his assistants (first base coach primarily). That team is as loaded as any team to ever come through MS. Gary's done a great job with them.</p>

 

[Bulldog Backer]

...there was no applause, a few murmurs or chuckles maybe, but in a private conversation I had with him before his comments, I told him "you know you are in a no win situation with that issue," and his response was that he will "do what is best for Mississippi State in the long term." He didn't reveal anything about what he was thinking. I got the feeling that he was going choose who he thought was best.

 

[Ole Miss Grad]

I don't recall any of our coaches ever mentioning MSU at these events.

Why does Croom feel the need?

 

[TR.sixpack]

That's why making stupid jokes about other schools is so foolish. Croom is better than most coaches about making the players go to class and have good attitudes about practice, work outs, etc. However, he has been no more effective at keeping his players out of jail than any other coach.

 

[Stansfield]

Why do Ole Miss fans come over here and ***** about smack talk from anyone from State. It is totally asinine.