A 1929 Model A Roadster replica has made an appearance around Mississippi State’s campus this year. Last year, Jim and Julia Rouse donated the maroon and white two door convertible to Mississippi State. Made in 1979, it is a 50th anniversary commemorative vehicle made by Ford.
Blake Jeter, Student Association President, said the Rouses got the idea at the Georgia Tech versus Mississippi State game last year. They had the “Rambling Wreck” in which cheerleaders would ride out in before the football players ran out.
“We saw Tech’s Model A and the thought struck us to give our maroon A to State,” Rouse said, according to sources at the MSU Foundation.
The car will be used by the Division of Student Affairs for campus recruiting and by the Spirit Groups to use before games, said a press release from the MSU Foundation.
Melissa Nichols, head coach of Spirit Groups, said it will be used to escort Bully around campus on gamedays. The car is only a two-seater, so will only be able to showcase one person other than the driver. During the MSU Homecoming Parade on Oct. 10, there are plans for the Model-A replica to escort Bully. Also, it will possibly appear in the Starkville Christmas parade.
The specific uses of the car “are a work in progress,” Nichols said.
“It is a unique vehicle to be used in any variety of ways to showcase what is great about Mississippi State,” said assistant vice president for student affairs Bill Broyles.
Jeter said he foresees the role of the car expanding over time as more uses for it begin to appear.
“I’ve gotten to sit in it before,” Jeter said, “but I haven’t gotten to drive it. I love old model cars, and I think it’s great that we have one to represent Mississippi State.”
Although the gift was received last year, student affairs wanted to give everyone at MSU the chance to take part in the naming Broyles said. This fall, student affairs held the Name That Car Contest. The contest is available online until today to all students, faculty and staff. Those eligible can submit a name at saffairs.msstate.edu/car.
The Web site said the name may not include vulgar words, obscene or offensive language, and it is recommended the name is reflective of the spirit and pride of MSU.
A committee will review all submitted names and choose the best three to five names. On Sept. 29, those names will be put on the Homecoming ballot and students will get to vote on their favorite. There will not be a run-off. In the event of a tie, the appointed committee will make the final decision. The winner of the contest will receive a $100 cash prize.
To get the word out about the donation, the car has been showcased over the past couple of weeks in various places, such as in front of Colvard Student Union and Sanderson Center.
Casey Arbuckle, biological engineering major, said she likes the car.
“Mississippi State has a lot of history, and the car helps represent that,” Arbuckle said.
Willie Brown, chemical engineering major, said he does not think it adds history or tradition.
“It’s cool, but it’s just a random car … I don’t see how it helps me as a student,” Brown said.