To celebrate Mississippi State’s 2021 baseball national championship, the national title trophy hit the road for a tour throughout the state.
The tour, which began Tuesday, will stop at the Greater Starkville Development Partnership office, 200 E. Main St., Starkville, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Aug. 3.
MSU defeated Southeastern Conference rival Vanderbilt in the three-game national championship series in June to win the College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska — the first national title earned in any team sport at MSU.
Paige Hunt, director of tourism for The Partnership, noted the Starkville community and the entire state is thrilled about the Mississippi State baseball team’s win.
“The state and Mississippi State fan base is very excited about the win,” she said. “This tour celebrates that.”
Mayor Lynn Spruill said the trophy represents an exciting and historic moment for Mississippi State and the city.
“It generates a fun and positive feel for those who have been waiting years, supporting our Bulldogs for this outcome,” she said.
Throughout the regional and super regional rounds of the postseason, Starkville’s tourism industry benefited from Mississippi State hosting tournament baseball games, Hunt said.
“Our hotels and restaurants were busy,” she said. “When we celebrated the championship with a parade, people came in from out of town to celebrate.”
While the trophy is at The Partnership office, visitors are encouraged to take their picture with it.
“We would love to have our chamber businesses stop by and take photos and see the trophy in-person if you can make it,” Paige Watson, director of Starkville Main Street Association, said in an email.
Spruill also noted that taking pictures with the trophy will help record the historic moment.
“Having the trophy in town gives us an opportunity to relive the moment and take pictures with it to document the special nature of what it represents,” she said.
Free commemorative national championship posters will be available, according to a press release.
The Bulldogs’ national championship trophy tour is sponsored by Bank First, Mississippi Ford Dealers, and Farm Bureau/Farm Federation.
The tour began with stops in Hattiesburg and Biloxi.
Besides stopping in Starkville on Tuesday, the trophy will visit Metro Ford Auto Sales, 1000 Barnes Crossing Road, Tupelo from 4-6 p.m.
“We’re excited to be a part of the tour and hope you can join us,” Watson said.
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