News Summary
Mississippi State Athletics has set a new fundraising record by raising $84.6 million during the 2025 fiscal year, doubling the previous record. Under athletic director Zac Selmon’s leadership, the program received 202 major gifts, including 10 exceeding $1 million. Membership in the Cristil Society grew to 439 members. Notably, an $8 million pledge created the State Excellence Fund. Additionally, a 10-year facilities plan was unveiled, linking to a significant $60 million project for a new indoor practice facility. The Mississippi State football team showed promise despite a tough season, focusing on improvement and recovery.
Starkville, MS – Mississippi State Athletics has achieved an unprecedented milestone by raising $84.6 million during the 2025 fiscal year, which marks a significant increase over its previous fundraising records. This total more than doubles the previous record set by the university and highlights the continued commitment from supporters of the athletic department.
The fundraising efforts took place during the fiscal year that ran from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025. Under the leadership of third-year athletic director Zac Selmon, the department reported receiving 202 major gifts, with 10 donations exceeding $1 million—the most the university has ever received in a single year. These substantial contributions will have a long-lasting impact on the institution’s athletic programs and future initiatives.
Membership in the Cristil Society, an exclusive group requiring a minimum pledge of $25,000, experienced significant growth, rising to 439 members. Selmon expressed deep gratitude for this remarkable support, emphasizing how it is vital for the evolution and competitiveness of MSU Athletics, especially amid the rapidly changing landscape of college sports.
In addition to the overall fundraising success, a noteworthy $8 million pledge made in September stands out as the second-largest in Mississippi State’s athletic history. These funds are earmarked to establish the State Excellence Fund, aimed at providing resources to support various athletic programs.
Along with raising funds, Mississippi State unveiled a 10-year facilities plan in January to enhance the athletic infrastructure further. This includes a significant $60 million project announced in May for constructing a new indoor practice facility specifically for the football team, with a leading donation from Howard Industries.
It is important to note that despite such impressive fundraising progress, the Mississippi State football team experienced a challenging season in 2024, finishing with a 2-10 record under head coach Jeff Lebby. Other sports, including men’s and women’s basketball, baseball, and softball, found success by participating in the NCAA tournament during the same period.
In April, the department made the decision to fire baseball coach Chris Lemonis, opting to replace him with Brian O’Connor, who previously coached at Virginia. O’Connor will be one of the highest-paid coaches in college baseball, with an average annual salary of $2.9 million.
As the school year progresses, the Mississippi State football team showed promising signs during its first scrimmage of the fall, focusing on developing an aggressive and attacking defense. The defense generated key plays during the practice, including a remarkable 40-yard scoop-and-score fumble recovery by cornerback Kelley Jones.
Coaching staff expressed satisfaction with the defensive line’s depth, allowing for effective rotations among players. With the objective of improving ball security, turnovers will be a major focus as the team prepares for future scrimmages.
Additionally, the roster reported being in good health after the initial scrimmage, attributed to players’ dedication to recovery and physical readiness. This focus on performance and improvement aligns with the overall goals of the athletics department moving forward, ensuring that Mississippi State remains competitive in upcoming seasons.
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Additional Resources
- Clarion Ledger: Mississippi State Athletics Fundraising Record
- SI: Three Takeaways from Mississippi State’s First Preseason Scrimmage
- Hail State: Football Defense Shines in Scrimmage
- Google Search: Mississippi State Athletics
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Mississippi State University
Author: STAFF HERE STARKVILLE WRITER
The STARKVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREstarkville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Starkville, Oktibbeha County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Cotton District Arts Festival, Bulldog Bash, and Mississippi State University homecoming celebrations. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Starkville Area Chamber of Commerce and the Mississippi State University Extension Service, plus leading businesses in education and agriculture that power the local economy such as Mississippi State University and Starkville Manufacturing. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Mississippi's dynamic landscape.
