Still in the race: Al Schmidt’s life saved by quick action of an athletic trainer

STARKVILLE — Al Schmidt is still trying to forget May 12. It was a hot and sunny afternoon, typical for the opening day of the Southeastern Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships.

Seconds after a heat of the decathlons’ 400 meters, Schmidt, the director of Mississippi State University track and field, felt dizzy. A shortness of breath followed.

Starkville High’s Mitchell adds two coaches

STARKVILLE — Starkville High School football coach Jamie Mitchell has a pair of familiar faces joining his staff.

Mitchell announced Thursday the hiring of Chris Walters as defensive line coach and Justin Moss as offensive line coach.

Starkville All-Stars relying on experience

STARKVILLE — It’s normal for a coach to tout his team and expect to win every game.

Keith Lawrence doesn’t mind wearing the cap of the mega-confident, if not braggadocios baseball coach.

Maye hopes to use experience at MSU

STARKVILLE — Brandon Maye doesn’t feel like the new guy.

The senior linebacker, who transferred from Clemson University and enrolled this summer at Mississippi State, said he has made an easy transition to living in Starkville and is adjusting to how MSU’s program is run.

Riek leaves MSU

STARKVILLE — After two seasons as a seldom-used backup, John Riek is no longer part of the Mississippi State basketball program.

A team spokesman confirmed Tuesday that Riek, a 7-foot-2 center from Sudan, won’t return for his junior season. He is expected to transfer.

Starkville High will have to replace Milling

STARKVILLE — Mimi Milling wasn’t looking to leave her building project as Starkville High School’s fast-pitch softball coach, but family comes first.

The third-year coach recently accepted a job to teach math at Northeast Lauderdale High, a move that will see her teach in the same district as her husband, Dane, who will teach at West Lauderdale High.

Speedy outfield, depth will lead Starkville All-Stars

STARKVILLE — Defense is pivotal to a championship run, and Starkville 11-year-old All-Star baseball coach Steve Wylie thinks his team is primed to make a serious run at a title.

MSU football needs game for 2012

STARKVILLE — The Mississippi State football team is looking for a new non-conference opponent to complete its 2012 schedule.

MSU Director of Athletics Scott Stricklin confirmed Tuesday that Louisiana Tech bought its way out of its agreement to play at Davis Wade Stadium.

SEC uncertain how schedule will play out

The Southeastern Conference will transition from a two-division format to a 12-team arrangement for men’s basketball for the 2011-12 season.

The lingering issue is the number of conference games teams will play.

Bulldogs don’t have issues in offseason

At this time last year, a cloud of uncertainty loomed over the Mississippi State’s men’s basketball program.

Carter led Starkville back to states

STARKVILLE — After winning a state title and having two of the state’s best players, how does a team come close to matching that goal without those leaders?

If you’re Starkville High, replacing talent is rarely an issue. But when it’s young, inexperienced talent, a coach has to focus more on mental preparation than skill-building.

Noxubee County’s Mallard was more than scorer

MACON — Someone give Daquarius Mallard a chance to play college basketball.

The former Noxubee County High School guard is unbelievably quick and can score in bunches, as evidenced by his 20-point outburst in the final seven minutes against Starkville High in a game earlier this season.

Chemistry came together for Schmidt, Lady Vols

STARKVILLE — Basketball teams can win with eight players.

Rarely can a team remain competitive through a season with eight players on its roster.

Starkville Academy’s girls basketball team did just that this season, finishing 19-14 after losing three senior starters from the previous season.

West Point’s Ewings matured into leader

WEST POINT — A Division I player has to have “it.”

Scoring, rebounding, passing — all facets of basketball are important — but there’s something about a player who can be a team leader and push it to even greater heights.

MSU introduces Stuedeman as new softball coach

STARKVILLE — Vann Stuedeman fits the mold.

Energetic, confident, and experienced, the former University of Alabama pitching coach was introduced Thursday as Mississippi State’s new softball coach.

Starkville High’s Ware commits to MSU (w/video)

STARKVILLE — The Gavin Ware show will remain a local production.

The 6-foot-8 Starkville High School center gave a verbal commitment to play basketball for Mississippi State on Thursday in a press conference at SHS.

Moore’s lawsuit gains support

STARKVILLE — Forrest Moore’s lawsuit against Mississippi State baseball coach John Cohen took another turn Thursday after an affidavit by another former player that backed Moore’s claims in the initial complaint was filed in Oktibbeha County Circuit Court.

Boys Soccer Player of the Year: Alvaro Pichardo

STARKVILLE — When the all-state and all-star soccer lists were released, there was a glaring omission: Alvaro Pichardo.

Devin Jones to sign with Orioles on Friday

Devin Jones received a deal too good to pass up.

The former Mississippi State pitcher agreed to terms Tuesday on a professional contract with the Baltimore Orioles, who selected him earlier this month in the ninth round of the Major League Baseball First-Year Player draft.

Jones will receive a signing bonus expected to be $97,500. He’ll have incentives in his contract that will alter the value of his deal as he moves through Baltimore’s minor league system. The Orioles also will pay for three years of school.

Jones will sign his contract Friday.

MSU’s Tate will try to regain form

A hamstring injury and admitted underperformance marred Tavaris Tate’s sophomore season at Mississippi State.

Beginning today in Eugene, Ore., Tate hopes to return to form at the 2011 U.S.A. Outdoor Track & Field Championships.

The U.S.A. Championships serve as the selection event for the coveted spots to represent Team U.S.A. at the IAAF World Championships Aug. 27- Sept. 4 in Daegu, South Korea.