Sept. 3 vs.
Sept. 10 OPEN
Sept. 17 at
Sept. 24 at Prairie View
Oct. 1 vs. Southern
Oct. 8 at
Oct. 15 vs.
Oct. 22 at
Oct. 29 vs.
Nov. 3 at
Nov. 12 vs. Pine-Bluff
Nov. 19 OPEN
Sept. 3 vs.
Sept. 10 OPEN
Sept. 17 at
Sept. 24 at Prairie View
Oct. 1 vs. Southern
Oct. 8 at
Oct. 15 vs.
Oct. 22 at
Oct. 29 vs.
Nov. 3 at
Nov. 12 vs. Pine-Bluff
Nov. 19 OPEN
“When Steve McNair played at Alcorn (State), we left
Corey Holmes, MVSU’s all-time leading rusher, has his own fond memories of his days playing in the SWAC.
“We might not have been the best team,” said Holmes, who is now the mayor of Metcalfe, “but people wanted to come see the SWAC’s leading rushing attack….They wanted to come see us run for 200 yards.”
Those recollections are a far cry from the current state of an athletic conference that has been hit hard due to school integration and a financial downturn. And for those reasons, an open dialogue – “The Future of the SWAC” – will be held today at 6:30 p.m. at the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame & Museum in
MVSU Athletic Director Donald Ray Sims and former Valley AD Lonza Hardy are among those who will be in attendance.
A press release posted on the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame & Museum’s website announcing the event addressed the current state of the SWAC: “Amidst dwindling budgets, shrinking attendance, crumbling facilities and talk of school closure and consolidation, the future of the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) has rarely been more uncertain.”
That uncertainty can be traced back to black players choosing more prestigious universities and a lack of financial support, which have caused a downturn in interest, say many SWAC alums.
To get an attention hungry 17-year-old to sign with a SWAC school is a tough task, said Alcorn State Hall of Famer Elijah Moore.
“I don’t care what you do in high school, if you select Alcorn you won’t be on ESPN,” said
Attendance at SWAC sporting events has also been a problem. Last season, Valley averaged just 2,600 fans while playing three home football games 45 miles away at
The poorly attended games ending up costing the cash-strapped
“Only the people that really love you are going to come see you play,” said
“A typical SWAC day – come see the band….don’t worry about the team,” said Holmes, the record-setting running back turned mayor.
For several decades, highly sought after athletes have bolted for schools where they can get their names in headlines in hopes of a professional career.
Take basketball for example, the latest player from MVSU to get drafted was Marcus Mann, who was selected in the second round of the 1996 NBA Draft by the Golden State Warriors. Meanwhile, Michael Phelps was the last Alcornite to hear his name called when the Seattle Supersonics selected him in the seventh round of the 1985 Draft.
Weathersby, who went 33-45 during his tenure at MVSU, cited a lack of resources as one primary reason for the lack of support for SWAC schools.
“During my time, we were the youngest school and we had to compete against
Currently, there are no NFL players from MVSU.
All of those interviewed agree on one aspect: nobody wants to pay to watch a losing team.
“The generation that you’re dealing with now – they’re more of a show me generation,” said Holmes. “If they’re not seeing progress, we have a (tendency) of pulling ourselves away.
“The past generation was about school spirit and bleeding green,” added Holmes. “But if you’re not winning nowadays, people won’t follow you.”
MVSU’s football games in
“You can’t exist without moral and financial support,” Weathersby said.
Holmes said he hopes something good comes out of today’s discussion. As for MVSU, he’s said will do whatever he can to help boost support.
“We have to get the older guys back into the program (and) get the Valley pride back,” he said. “It’s definitely needed right now.”
Willie Mosby Jr., Larry Griffin, Darius Kennedy, Curtis Carter and Kendrell Canada will all suit up for the MDCC Trojans next season.
“I went to Valley because I think they need my help the most,” said
The Greenville Christian Saints went from a 1-10 season in 2009 to a district title in 2010. Mike Hardy and three-sport star Justin Leavy played a huge role in the team’s success.
And apparently, colleges took notice as the two local athletes signed scholarships Wednesday to MDCC. Leavy said he will play both basketball and football at school in
Two Simmons High football players linked up with Jones County Junior College while two others signed with Coahoma Community College.
Delta Democrat Times' Preseason Defensive Player of the Year Lazarius Chase and offensive/defensive lineman Marqueze McGee signed with Coahoma.
Meanwhile, running back Damian Samuels and receiver Miekell Gray inked with Jones County Junior College.
“I can truly say this group were leaders on our team,” said Simmons coach Carlos Thompson, who also credited Coahoma assistant coach Strong for his recruiting efforts in the area.
“These were guys you could count on in the course of a ballgame,” added Thompson. “With them having this opportunity, they'll be playmakers at their respective schools.”
Chase was on several big school recruiting boards, but a season-ending injury ended his senior season.
“(Signing with Coahoma) gives (Chase) a way of starting over," said Thompson.
Four Leland High players signed with Mississippi Delta Community College Wednesday afternoon.
Defensive back Bronson Bell, linebacker Broderick Fordham, receiver Nicholas Mosby and linebacker Michael Jones all will be at Moorhead in the fall.
Mosby, a 6-foot-1 receiver/cornerback, played a significat role for the Cubs this season. Mosby, Fordham and Bell were all named to the Delta Democrat Times postseason team.