Southeastern Conference media days presented one more day of ceremony for new Mississippi State women’s basketball head coach Sam Purcell. The season is nearly here, but before the real action starts, Purcell seized the opportunity to once again express his gratitude for the opportunity to lead the Bulldogs.
Specifically, Purcell raved about the culture on Tuesday at the Grand Bohemian Hotel in Mountain Brook, Alabama. The support the community has shown to women’s basketball was a big draw to him, and it’s helped to win over his team as well.
“I don’t think (renovations to The Hump) will change a thing,” Purcell said when asked about the effect construction work may have on attendance. “First and foremost, that’s why I took this job. Women’s basketball matters in Starkville. We actually did a meet and greet in July and had 300 people show up to talk about women’s basketball. It was awesome and motivating for me and our players.”
Graduate senior Ahlana Smith, who followed Purcell from Louisville, mentioned the meet and greet in her media day availability as well. She remarked on the impression it left on her and the other newcomers in a similar fashion to Purcell. The reputation the program and its fanbase made itself present in the minds of the team and its coach, and they are embracing being a part of it.
“Any little construction that is occurring I know is not going to hold our fan base back,” Purcell continued. “If we can open a door, they’ll find a way to go find a seat. It’s our job as coaches and as players to work hard and make sure that we put a product on the floor that they’re proud to come back and watch.”
In addition to the excitement of the experience, Purcell has leaned into the pressure since his appointment, and it’s clear that he feels a responsibility to the program and the culture. Speaking on the SEC Network, he addressed the expectations that come with that responsibility, and their weight even for this season.
“It’s about building trust,” Purcell said. “My players want to know what I’m really about. For me, it’s about fulfilling that commitment when I told (them) to stay and I’m going to back that up. We crushed it this summer. The climate is changing. It used to be that you’ve got to build it over four years. Now with the portal and people coming and going, there’s no timetable. We can win this year, and we’ll worry about next year then. We have the means in place. Mississippi State had the glory years of playing for the national championship. That’s the expectation, and it’s up to me to get it there.”
The process starts in Year 1, and Purcell has a team that believes they can reward the fanbase from the get go. The Bulldogs will have the chance to play the intense, high-energy basketball they’ve been working on, and the discourse will move on to more of the X’s and O’s. But for now at least, there is a positivity from the team and from Purcell in what they’re doing and most importantly an awareness for the responsibility they’ve taken on to restore the program to the heights the fanbase has come to know and love.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 34 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 34 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
Join the Discussion