Coaches like what they see from Tate

Mississippi State men’s associate head track and field coach Steve Dudley has been an interested spectator of prize recruit Tavaris Tate.

Dudley, who works with the program’s sprinters, has followed Tate to all of his destinations this summer and hasn’t been surprised with the success of the former Starkville High School sprinter.

Starkville Academy softball expects to be stronger

Starkville Academy softball coach Randy Haynes expects to have a stronger team on the field this season.

There were signs in the summer league at the Starkville Sportsplex that the Lady Volunteers could be better than last year’s 18-17 record.

Attorney: Floyd’s comments could help Sidney’s case

Donald Jackson, the attorney for the family of Mississippi State men’s basketball signee Renardo Sidney, said the recent comments by former University of Southern California coach Tim Floyd can only help his client’s case.

Tigers sign former Bulldog P Wesson

Former Mississippi State pitcher Jared Wesson wasn’t sure the opportunity was going to come.

After his name failed to come up one month after the Major League Baseball First-Player Draft, he began to wonder if any organization would take a chance on him.

West Point’s Virges commits to MSU; WRs leave program

WEST POINT — West Point High School offensive and defensive lineman Curtis Virges likes the direction coach Dan Mullen is taking the Mississippi State football program.

Even though the Bulldogs haven’t taken the field this season, Virges has been impressed with how Mullen prepares the team.

Hall calls for Keys: Former MSU star will be inducted into state’s Sports Hall of Fame

People will be talking this weekend about Tyrone Keys. But while the topic — football — will be the same, the memories from all of the teams Keys played on will be different.

Bulldogs’ Chaney named All-SEC

HOOVER, Ala. — Mississippi State linebacker Jamar Chaney didn’t return for his senior year to get preseason honors.

After breaking his leg in MSU’s opening game of the 2008 season at Louisiana Tech, Chaney received a medical redshirt that gave him another year of eligibility.

Starkville All-Stars have trophy, picture on display at Sportsplex

STARKVILLE — The Starkville Baseball Association and the Park and Recreation Department wants to make sure the community shares the accomplishment of the Coach-Pitch 8-year-old Dizzy Dean All-Stars.

The Dizzy Dean South State championship trophy and a team picture of the Starkville All-Stars have been on display at the Starkville Sportsplex since Starkville won its title July 13.

Starkville coach Keith Lawrence said some parents of the players approached him about taking the trophy home, but he didn’t feel that was appropriate because the trophy belonged to the community.

Outlaw works out at Starkville Sportsplex to fine tune skills

STARKVILLE — Travis Outlaw looked around the Starkville Sportsplex on Wednesday afternoon and smiled.

The Starkville native and member of the NBA’s Portland Trail Blazers is proud the city has provided such a facility to the community.

Outlaw and Ed LeBlanc, his personal coach, took advantage of the facility to focus on specific points of Outlaw’s game to help him prepare rejoin the Trail Blazers.

Outlaw will leaves Starkville at the end of August to begin his sixth season in the NBA

MSU’s Mullen will wait to decide punishment for Dizon, Green

HOOVER, Ala. –– The legal system may have to run its course before Mississippi State football coach Dan Mullen will decide punishments for senior running back Anthony Dixon and sophomore tight end Marcus Green.

Dixon was arrested last Saturday night in Starkville for driving under the influence of alcohol, careless driving and not having proof of insurance, while Green was arrested on July 15 for possession of marijuana.

Mullen doesn’t anticipate handing out any punishment until the judicial process plays out.

MSU’s Mullen handles spotlight at SEC Media Days

HOOVER, Ala. — Mississippi State’s Dan Mullen seemed to handle his first experience as a head football coach at Southeastern Conference Media Days just fine.

Nothing seemed to faze Mullen on Wednesday afternoon at the Wynfrey Hotel or wipe the smile off his face.

Mississippi State junior linebacker K.J. Wright said Mullen is always smiling and what the media saw was nothing new.

MSU quarterback Lee confident in his ability

“Tyson Lee is serviceable, but not outstanding. His stature (5-foot-10, 200 pounds) was a clear obstacle at times (last year).”

— 2009 Athlon Sports preseason football edition.

Statements like those in Athlon Sports preseason college football edition haven’t all been kind to incumbent Mississippi State quarterback Tyson Lee.

Even with that, the senior from Columbus remains confident in his ability.

MSU working through tough economy

STARKVILLE — The Mississippi State athletic department is taking the struggling economy seriously.

Even though the nationwide financial downturn haven’t created any major issues at MSU, the athletic department is watching its spending and is trying to cut back.

Lott, Howard will try to hold on at Columbus Classic

Columbus’ Ed Lott and Barry Howard like where they stand after two rounds of the Columbus Classic, but they are looking over their shoulder a little bit.

Even after Lott and Howard shot a 5-under-par 67 Saturday to lead the Championship Flight with a two-day total of 135 at the 6,400-yard, par-72 Columbus Country Club, Brandon Garriga and Josh Martin, of Jackson, are lurking close behind in their drive for their fifth consecutive title.

MSU has success with five sessions of baseball camps

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State’s Baseball Summer Camp returned after a year absence and finished Thursday on a successful note.

With the transition of coaching staffs and head coaches from Ron Polk to John Cohen, the MSU baseball program decided not to have the camps last year.

Camp coordinator Nick Mingione was pleased with the outcome of the program’s five sessions.

MSU puts two on coaches’ All-SEC teams

Apparently the football coaches from around the Southeastern Conference believe Mississippi State senior running back Anthony Dixon can thrive in coach Dan Mullen’s spread offense.

Dixon, of Terry, was named Thursday to the second-team offense of the Coaches All-SEC football team.

Trainers, coaches help players beat heat

STARKVILLE — Athletic trainers and strength coaches at Mississippi State aren’t only concerned in the summer with managing the football players’ weightlifting and conditioning sessions.

They also plan trips to the local grocery stores.

The Bulldogs appreciate their coaches and trainers care enough not only to tell them how to take care of their bodies, but also to show them.

Lawyer: NCAA prolonging investigation of MSU signee Sidney

The NCAA Eligibility Center has requested more documentation in the case of Mississippi State basketball signee Renardo Sidney.

Sidney’s attorney, Donald Jackson, believes the request is an attempt by the Eligibility Center to prolong the investigation into Sidney’s amateur status that would keep him from getting on the court in a timely manner to play for the Bulldogs.

MSU will have ‘extravaganza’ in Jackson

Mississippi State senior running back Anthony Dixon will return home today for a few hours.

Dixon will be one of the Bulldogs who will attend the Central Mississippi Alumni Association “Summer Extravaganza” in Jackson.

Second youth basketball camp set for Starkville

STARKVILLE — A youth basketball camp was so successful in June at the Starkville Sportsplex that the organizers will try it again this month.

After 18 children participated in the camp last month, girls director Juliette Weaver-Reese will get the basketballs bouncing again next week after receiving positive feedback. This time she will include the boys with the help of director Richard Hill.