Mississippi State University students kicked off this year’s Super Bulldog Weekend by participating in the Sgt. Bully’s Lonely Hearts Club Jam Thursday night in the Cotton District.
The event, sponsored by Campus Activities Board, started at 6 p.m. and went well into the night.
The band Inner 61 led by Shawn Lloyd and Frankie Glenn took the stage first right in front of The Grill with a packed crowd of fans. The night continued with Cover Girls singing ’80s hits such as “Material Girl” and “Love Shack.”
The Cover Girls sang their last song around midnight and students still crowded the streets. The party kept going for many of the Cotton District residents.
“This year’s Jam was a great time and a good way for the students to end the school year,” graduating senior Josh Daly said.
Friday morning MSU fans began parking their RV’s across campus and setting up their grills for the Pig Cook off Friday afternoon which took place behind Davis-Wade Stadium.
Fans also set up their tailgates in preparation for Friday night’s baseball game against the No. 5 Auburn Tigers at Dudy Noble Field. Crowds filled the stands and MSU pitcher Paul Maholm threw the first pitch at 6:30 p.m. The Dawgs defeated the Tigers 4-2.
The celebration continued starting as early as 10 a.m. Saturday morning when alumni gathered for the dedication of the new Hunter Henry Alumni Center. Students and alumni alike listened to a jazz band and watched as Hunter Henry, President Lee and Dennis Prescott cut the tape for the official opening.
Baseball fans, alumni and others filled the campus Saturday morning for a full day of events. Football players began practicing on Scott Field at Davis-Wade Stadium for the Maroon and White scrimmage by 9 a.m. but the scrimmage didn’t begin until noon.
“There weren’t as many people at the scrimmage as I expected, but it was hot outside,” senior Davis Jones said.
Some spectators went from watching one MSU team to another. The MSU baseball team took on the Tigers Saturday at 3 p.m. for their second match-up. The Tigers swept the Dawgs Saturday and Sunday leaving the Dawgs with a 1-2 weekend record. However, hundreds of Left Field Lounge participants enjoyed the game nonetheless.
While fans supported the baseball team other students hosted events pertaining to their own major. Senior interior Design students presented their senior projects in Lloyd-Ricks while the veterinarian students held an open house.
In addition, the MSU Horticulture Club held a spring plant sale at the greenhouses on campus.
Several annual crawfish boils were also on campus.
“Super Bulldog Weekend would not be the same without eating crawfish,” MSU student Ragan Stout said.
For some students, the evening did not end with crawfish and baseball, but with bands and fraternity parties. Alpha Gamma Rho had music and foam at the party.
MSU senior Mandy Armstrong said it was great to be out and see so many people.
“The houses were packed and the bands were really fun to dance to,” Armstrong said.
This year’s Super Bulldog Weekend ended Sunday afternoon after MSU lost to the Tigers 7-3.
The game had good attendance, and despite the loss, fans stuck around enjoying the game and the atmosphere.