My name is Bart Harris, I am a senior marketing major at MSU. I am writing in response to the letter written by Mr. Bill Atkinson in the Tuesday September 28, issue of the reflector. I have lived in Starkville since I was 10 and I have grown up watching MSU athletics. I have been there in the good times and the bad and even I know that you can not win them all and if we could not lose then winning would not be as sweet. When I was in high school MSU football was at an all time high and everyone was a fan then probably even you sir. But the mark of true fan sticks with it at all times through all the wins and through all the loses. Everyone knows that college football is a roller coaster ride sometimes your up sometimes your bust. Look at LSU, last years national champions, a few years ago they could hardly when a game. I have had high hopes for our football team every year I have been in college and every year we have not done so hot, but that gives you or me no right to criticize the men of the MSU football team the way you did. Not once in my four years of college have I not believed that we could not win, not once have I left a game early, and not once have I not been damn proud to call myself a Mississippi State Bulldog. You sir are the embarrassment and I am ashamed that you attended the school in which I dearly love. One day our football program will be back on top and I hope you will become a fan again but it will not be as sweet for you, as it will be for us chosen few who toughed it out through the hard years, there will be no pride in your heart and no honor in your ways.
To all the true MSU fans and especially the players of any sport from football to track, do not ever stop believing that you are the best, never quit and never give up. Always be proud of who you are and by god I am a Mississippi State Bulldog. To all of our athletes, especially our football team, just remember that God gave you a special gift when he blessed with the ability to play your respective sport. And always know that there are a lot of people in the stands and around the world, including myself, that would trade everything they have and everything they are to be blessed with such a God given talent as you all have. You owe to us, your teammates, your coaches and especially yourself to give it all you got every time you step out onto the field. Never quit and lay all on the line every play every second every game and none can call you a loser. Don’t ever stop believing. God Bless!
Bart Harris is a senior marketing major.