Starkville Soccer Association suffers dropoff

STARKVILLE — Registration for the Starkville Soccer Association season has just concluded and president Richard Stubbs said participants and sponsorships are down this year.

Stubbs believes parents are feeling the pain of a struggling economy despite possible signs of improvement.

He said cutting back on physical fitness, especially with children, is the wrong thing to do.

MSU’s Mullen notices areas of concern

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State football coach Dan Mullen was a little more demanding on the first practice of the week since the team’s scrimmage Saturday.

That’s because he noticed several things to work on.

“We’ve got a long way to go,” Mullen said. “We’ve got to get a lot better and clean up a lot with all of the phases the next couple of days, so everything looks cleaner for game week.”

Turnovers and allowing big plays on defense bothered Mullen the most in the scrimmage.

MSU unveils $11.2M basketball practice facility

STARKVILLE — Paul “Buzzy” Mize of the Henry Mize Foundation said the Humphrey Coliseum is getting a front door.

That door that door will give the Mississippi State men’s and women’s basketball teams a new opportunity to improve their programs.

The Mize Foundation has provided the lead gift of $4 million toward plans for a $11.2 million indoor basketball practice facility that were announced Monday afternoon.

Students buy record number of MSU football tickets

STARKVILLE — The anticipation surrounding the Mississippi State football season generated a lot of positive energy Monday as students purchased a single-day record of more than 7,000 season tickets.

MSU football coach Dan Mullen, who visited several student organizations to promote the program, was pleased to hear about the response.

Varnado hopes to put lessons learned to use

STARKVILLE — Back from helping Team USA win the bronze medal in July at the World University Games, Mississippi State senior center Jarvis Varnado is ready to focus on the upcoming season.

Varnado is excited about what the Bulldogs can accomplish, especially with high-profiled signees like Renardo Sidney and John Riek.

Felker: Bulldogs will be better than people believe

STARKVILLE — With a new head coach and a new spread offense in the works, the Mississippi State football team this season has the potential to surprise some people, assistant coach Rockey Felker told the Starkville Rotary Club Monday afternoon.

Blocked PATs help Columbus edge Aberdeen

Columbus High School junior defensive lineman Ian Williams was thankful to be in the right place at the right time.

Even though it took a while to determine who blocked the extra point that enabled Columbus beat Aberdeen 27-26 in double overtime Friday night, Williams was glad he could be a difference maker.

Delta State coach observes talent at softball tournament

STARKVILLE — It wasn’t really all about winning Saturday at the Starkville Sportsplex softball fields.

Although scores were kept, the main purpose of the sixth-annual College Exposure Tournament was to showcase the talent of the 14 Mississippi Association of Independent School teams participating.

The tournament was directed by the Delta State softball team, and it gave coach Kasey Charles and her staff a front-row seat to watch potential recruits.

Mississippi State’s Beckham will miss season

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State basketball team spokesman Gregg Ellis confirmed Saturday morning that sophomore backup point guard Twany Beckham plans to have hip surgery and will be out for the season.

“He’s got bone spurs in both hips and will have surgery in a couple of weeks,” Ellis said.

Beckham, who was experiencing chronic pain because of the condition, will have surgery on one side, then undergo several months of rehabilitation before having the same procedure done on the other side.

Mississippi State’s Roberts getting a chance

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State junior wide receiver Kyle Roberts likes to be in game-like situations in scrimmages.

That’s because it gives the former East Oktibbeha and East Mississippi Community College player more chances to impress his coaches.

Roberts believes he continues to make strides since walking on to the program in the spring. He said he hopes to continue to take advantage of every opportunity afforded to him.

Rain doesn’t deter Bulldogs

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State football coach Dan Mullen didn’t let a little bit of rain Thursday night chase his Bulldogs inside the Palmeiro Center.

The rain didn’t become a factor.

A heavy afternoon downpour turned into a steady rain by evening an then all but ended before practice began.

Public, private schools schedule games to reduce travel

High school football programs are looking for ways to deal with the struggling economy.

So when teams can schedule non-conference games close to home that’s what they’re going to do.

That’s the main reason Immanuel Christian of Columbus will play host to Hatley High School, while Ackerman High School will travel to Starkville Academy.

Documents could impact investigation of Sidney

A judge’s ruling Thursday that NCAA documents in an infractions case against Florida State are public records under state law could impact the investigation into Mississippi State basketball signee Renardo Sidney.

MSU football begins polishing process

STARKVILLE — The installation of the spread offense is complete at Mississippi State.

Now, the cleaning process begins.

Varnado will give back basketball scholarship

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State center Jarvis Varnado and his family have agreed to pay his way for his senior season of basketball.

By giving up his scholarship, Varnado makes it easier for the Bulldogs to fit 14 players into the 13 scholarship limit mandated by the NCAA.

Mississippi State students welcomed back to campus with pep rally

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State students were welcomed back to campus Monday afternoon with the season’s first pep rally at the drill field.

A gathering of several hundred students listened to MSU President Mark Keenum, Starkville mayor Parker Wiseman, and MSU football coach Dan Mullen speak in a steady drizzle.

The MSU cheerleaders and band also were present to help energize the crowd.

Powers to return for senior baseball season at Mississippi State

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State baseball coach John Cohen has been optimistic about his chances of having first baseman Connor Powers in the middle of his lineup in 2010.

On Monday, those hopes were realized as Powers announced he will return to Mississippi State for his senior season.

“I’m excited about it and think it was the right decision,” Powers said. “With all factors included, I think, without a doubt, it was the right thing to do.”

Sidney cleared to enroll in school at Mississippi State

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State men’s basketball signee Renardo Sidney is one step closer to being able to get on the court with the Bulldogs.

The NCAA Eligibility Center on Monday cleared Sidney academically, which allowed him to enroll in fall classes.

Although the issues with his status as an amateur remain unresolved, Sidney can participate in preseason individual and conditioning workouts with the team.

MSU’s Dixon avoids court after entering guilty plea

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State senior running back Anthony Dixon pled guilty last week driving under the influence.

The plea was entered by his attorney Jay Perry so Dixon could avoid Monday’s court date at Starkville Municipal Court.

It remains unclear what punishment MSU coach Dan Mullen has decided to impose on Dixon, who was arrested July 18 in Starkville.

Dixon, who was fined $500, was charged with driving under the influence, careless driving, and not having proof of insurance.

Changes made to landscape at MSU’s Dudy Noble Field

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State baseball coach John Cohen knew poor field conditions were going to prevent the Bulldogs from playing games last season.

The lack of adequate drainage at Dudy Noble Field after inclement weather led to the cancellation of the final game of the Nicholls State series March 1, the Mississippi Valley State game March 31, and the middle game of the Alabama series May 2.

Cohen believes the renovations to the baseball field will help improve the team’s chances of playing all its home games every year.