| Monday, November 17, 2025 |
| Habitat for Humanity hands Starkville family the keys to a new chapter | |
 | Danyell Latham wiped away tears Saturday as volunteers with Habitat for Humanity handed her and her sons, Robert and Kasen Kelly, the keys to a new home they helped build. Only about three months after breaking ground for the construction, the family stepped inside the finished house for the first time, surrounded by many of the volunteers who helped construct it. "Today is a moment we will never forget, and standing here feels like the start of a new chapter, one filled with hope, stability and opportunity," Robert Kelly, 17, said Saturday during a dedication ceremony for the house. "This home is more than just a building to us. It's a blessing, a foundation and a dream that we have worked towards." Latham's home is the 17th Maroon Edition Habitat home constructed in partnership with Mississippi State University and one of more than 70 homes built by the Starkville chapter. |
| Runway extension to break ground next month at Starkville airport | |
| Construction on a 1,000-foot runway extension at George M. Bryan Airport will begin next month, marking progress on a project more than a decade in the making. "It took us 10 years to buy the piece of land to the south end down there," Airport Director Rodney Lincoln told The Dispatch following the Starkville Board of Aldermen work session Friday. "... Once we got that done, everything started moving. The design is done, the contractor has been selected, it's been bid and he starts next month on the dirt work." The runway project is the first in a series of multi-million dollar upgrades planned for the airport, including a regional emergency response center, a new terminal complex and a new hangar. Most projects are funded through Federal Aviation Administration grants, supplemented by the Mississippi Department of Transportation, the city and Mississippi State University. |
| High school students invited to audition for MSU's Honor Band Clinic | |
| High school band students are invited to audition for Mississippi State University's prestigious Honor Band Clinic. One of the oldest of its kind nationally, the clinic will be held Jan. 29-31 on MSU's campus. Auditions from students in grades 9-12 are accepted through Dec. 5 via video submission. Those selected will have the opportunity to work with distinguished conductors and educators from across the country as they participate in the Honor Wind Symphony or one of two clinic bands. The weekend of rehearsals will culminate with a concert on Jan. 31 at 12:30 p.m. in Lee Hall's Bettersworth Auditorium. "It is always a pleasure to welcome students and directors from across our region to our annual Honor Band Clinic," said Elva Kaye Lance, director of bands. "Our guest conductors are some of the most outstanding in our profession, and I know it will be inspiring to watch them make music with those who are in attendance." |
| Partnership Story: Students Learn how an Engineering Career Collides with Construction in MSU Presentation | |
 | Starkville High School students in the Engineering and Mechatronics Career and Technical (CTE) pathway had an opportunity to learn how engineering plays a part in the construction industry through a partnership with the Richard A. Rula School of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Mississippi State University. Dr. Jun Wang, a C&EE faculty member, and her graduate student team visited Millsaps CTC at SHS to give a presentation and demonstration to the E & M Fundamentals class. The learning experience allowed students to try their hands at some of the equipment and applications used by engineers as they work on construction projects. "This lesson showcased how civil and environmental engineering degrees align with real-world job tasks that do not seem to be related to engineering," said Tina Cockrell, SHS Engineering instructor. "It also highlighted how versatile the field of engineering is and why those jobs are predicted to be available for many years to come." |
| MSU Poinsettia Open House set in Poplarville | |
| Horticulture consumers, retailers, wholesalers and growers are invited to the annual Poinsettia Open House at the Mississippi State University South Mississippi Branch Experiment Station in Poplarville. The station's greenhouse doors will open to the public Dec. 5 and 6, allowing attendees to explore over 50 poinsettia varieties in peak seasonal color. Attendees will receive surveys to choose their favorite varieties and will receive one poinsettia to take home. The event also offers research-based information on poinsettia selection and care and a hands-on evergreen wreath making workshop. Event hours are 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Dec. 5 and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Dec. 6. The station is located at 711 West North Street. For more information on the open house, evergreen wreath workshop or disability accommodation, contact Jim DelPrince at j.delprince@msstate.edu. |
| Emerald Ash Borer found in Mississippi for first time | |
 | The Mississippi Forestry Commission (MFC) confirmed the presence of the Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis) in Issaquena County. This is the first known detection of this invasive insect in the state. According to the MFC, the confirmation was made following a field investigation by MFC Forest Management and Forest Health staff in cooperation with federal and state partners. The identification was verified by Mississippi State University (MSU). Native to Asia, the Emerald Ash Borer is a destructive wood-boring beetle that attacks and kills all species of ash trees. Since its initial discovery in Michigan in 2002, the Emerald Ash Borer has killed hundreds of millions of ash trees across North America. "The arrival of Emerald Ash Borer in Mississippi is unfortunate but not unexpected," said Russell Bozeman, Mississippi State Forester. "Ash trees are valuable components of both our urban and natural forests. The MFC will work closely with partners and landowners to monitor the spread of EAB and provide guidance on how to manage its impact." |
| MFC confirms first detection of Emerald Ash Borer in state | |
 | The Mississippi Forestry Commission has confirmed the presence of the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) (Agrilus planipennis) in Issaquena County, marking the first known detection of this invasive insect in the state. The confirmation was made following a field investigation by MFC Forest Management and Forest Health staff in cooperation with federal and state partners. Mississippi State University verified the identification. The insect's larvae feed beneath the bark, disrupting the tree's ability to transport water and nutrients. Ash trees infested with EAB typically die within 3–5 years. Signs of infestation include canopy thinning, D-shaped exit holes in the bark, serpentine larval galleries under the bark, and increased woodpecker activity. The MFC will continue to conduct surveys and outreach efforts in coordination with the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce, USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), and other agencies. |
| Jayess engineering student awarded MSU Presidential scholarship | |
| Luke Dickerson, a civil engineering major from Jayess, is among 13 Mississippi State transfer students receiving Presidential Partnership Scholarships this fall, the university's most prestigious awards for those transferring from the state's community colleges. Dickerson is a graduate of Southwest Mississippi Community College in Summit. Presidential Partnership Scholars receive funding to cover their full, on-campus tuition costs for two years. They are enrolled in MSU's First-Year Experience: CC Presidential Scholars leadership class. The students must be enrolled full time and maintain a 3.0 GPA. The scholars are members of Phi Theta Kappa, the two-year college national honor society, and are nominated by their respective community college presidents and selected by the MSU Scholarship Committee. |
| Former MSU professor creates portraits for Postal Service Revolutionary War stamp collection | |
| An upcoming collection of U.S. Postal Service stamps honoring the nation's 250th anniversary features a retired Mississippi State professor's artwork. Set for release in 2026, the Figures of the American Revolution series includes portraits of the enslaved Continental Army spy James Armistead and political philosopher Thomas Paine painted by former MSU Associate Professor of Art Alex Bostic. Announced in October, the series honors 25 historical figures who shaped the birth of the nation and is among 19 new collections -- many of which highlight American history, icons and pastimes. "To be one of 12 artists creating images for this series is a rare honor," Bostic said. "I'm the only artist from Mississippi that worked on this project, and that's exciting for me. I'm happy about building a legacy with my work that my family can see across the country and say, 'Wow, my dad or granddad did this.' My students were part of everything I did as a teacher, and I always tried to pass on the experiences of honors and activities like these to them." |
| Former LINK employee had 700+ recordings of Higgins | |
| A former Golden Triangle Development LINK employee compiled more than 700 audio recordings of ex-CEO Joe Max Higgins, content from which may have played a part in Higgins' dismissal from the regional economic development organization. Betsy Young, who worked for the LINK from 2019 until August of this year, rising to the position of vice president of economic development, claims Higgins was harassing her and speaking to her in a shocking manner, prompting her to start recording their conversations in 2022, according to documents filed Thursday in the U.S. District Court of Northern Mississippi. The documents accompany a lawsuit the LINK filed against its liability insurance carrier, alleging the company mishandled the defense of Young's claim against the organization. Members of the LINK's 13-member executive committee and Higgins are also listed as plaintiffs in the lawsuit. The LINK represents Lowndes, Oktibbeha and Clay counties, along with their cities, in recruiting industry. |
| Governor recommends lawmakers focus on energy, workforce development and expanded education freedom in Mississippi | |
| Governor Tate Reeves released his required Fiscal Year 2027 Executive Budget Recommendation on Friday, outlining several priorities he wants lawmakers to consider as they begin crafting the next state budget. Reeves focused his recommendations on five areas: building a stronger economy, preparing and supporting Mississippi's workforce, improving mental health outcomes and helping keep Mississippians safe, supporting Mississippi's courts, and giving parents more control in their child's education. The Joint Legislative Budget Committee, along with Reeves, met earlier this month to adopt a $7.532 billion revenue estimate to be used as a framework from which to build the Fiscal Year 2027 budget. The number is $20 million less than the current fiscal year's revenue estimate, which was revised downward one percent by the Committee at its November meeting. |
| White House Hunts for Ways to Lower the Cost of Living | |
 | A proposal to give Americans direct payments of $2,000 or more. An antitrust probe into allegations that meatpacking companies are colluding to drive up beef prices. And a new plan to lower tariffs on coffee, fruit and other popular products. President Trump and his advisers are rushing to try to lower prices for U.S. consumers after voters sent a warning shot to Republicans this month over the high cost of living. Following the recent election, Trump's aides have urged the president to focus on affordability, and they are drawing up plans to attempt to address voters' frustrations, according to administration officials. The president's team is discussing more deals with pharmaceutical companies to make prescription drugs cheaper, approvals for new offshore-drilling projects and new healthcare proposals, the officials said. The president has also ordered up new ideas to address the high cost of housing. It won't be easy to lower prices in a way that satisfies voters, who have signaled in polls that they want far-reaching changes that will make everyday life more affordable. Most prices are dictated by market forces that are beyond the president's control. Interest rates are set by the independent Federal Reserve, which has so far resisted Trump's pressure campaign. The president would need congressional approval to issue direct payments to Americans. |
| In reversal, Trump says House Republicans should vote to release Epstein files | |
 | President Donald Trump said House Republicans should vote to release the files in the Jeffrey Epstein case, a startling reversal after previously fighting the proposal as a growing number of those in his own party supported it. "We have nothing to hide, and it's time to move on from this Democrat Hoax perpetrated by Radical Left Lunatics in order to deflect from the Great Success of the Republican Party," Trump wrote on social media late Sunday after landing at Joint Base Andrews following a weekend in Florida. Trump's statement followed a fierce fight within the GOP over the files, including an increasingly nasty split with Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, who had long been one of his fiercest supporters. The president's shift is an implicit acknowledgement that supporters of the measure have enough votes to pass it the House, although it has an unclear future in the Senate. It is a rare example of Trump backtracking because of opposition within the GOP. In his return to office and in his second term as president, Trump has largely consolidated power in the Republican Party. |
| Regions Bank of Ideas Challenge taps college students for innovation | |
 | With more than 1,200 branch locations and $160 billion in assets, Regions Bank is one of the 30 largest banks in the U.S. But the Birmingham-based bank is looking for new perspectives on how to improve and gain an even bigger foothold with customers. So why not turn to Gen Z? The up-and-coming age group accounts for as much as 22% of the population in the U.S. and its workforce size is now bigger than that of the Baby Boomers. The inaugural Regions Bank of Ideas Challenge was held this year, and it pitted teams from the University of Mississippi and Mississippi State University against each other. The final round was held Thursday at Hotel Tupelo. "To have dozens of students amongst two of our amazing universities, compete for ideas for one of the largest financial institutions in the Southeast, and to really come up with ideas that are really blowing us away is so impressive," said John Jordan, executive vice president and head of retail for Regions Bank. Geared toward business students, the challenge had each team pitch its ideas for solving real business challenges. |
| ICC mourns passing of longtime communications director | |
| Itawamba Community College is mourning the loss of one of its most devoted and influential team members, Donna Thomas of New Albany, who dedicated more than 55 years of service to the college and touched countless lives through her professional excellence, mentorship and quiet acts of kindness. Thomas, who began her ICC career on Jan. 15, 1970, faithfully served six of the college's seven presidents, building a legacy that spanned generations. Over her distinguished tenure she held numerous leadership positions including adult basic education newspaper editor, continuing education director, director of publications, director of media relations and most recently director of communications. She also served as a journalism instructor, mentoring students through her advisement of The Chieftain, ICC's student newspaper, and The Mirror, the college yearbook, both of which earned multiple top awards from the Mississippi Press Association and the College Public Relations Association of Mississippi (CPRAM). "Donna Thomas was part of the very fabric of Itawamba Community College," said ICC President Dr. Jay Allen. "Her dedication, her attention to detail and her servant's heart defined what it means to live out ICC's mission every day. She didn't just work here, she built a legacy of compassion, commitment and excellence that will continue to inspire us all." |
| Landry's higher ed task force recommends Louisiana join conservative college accreditor | |
| A task force Gov. Jeff Landry assembled is recommending that Louisiana's colleges and universities join six other university systems from Southern states in a new conservative accrediting body. The governor's Task Force on Public Higher Education Reform voted Thursday to request the Board of Regents, which oversees higher education in the state, ask for state money to pursue membership and a board seat on the Commission for Public Higher Education. The alternative accreditor is being formed by state university systems in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas. Accreditors are necessary to ensure schools meet minimum educational standards. The task force did not provide public notice of its meeting, which is a violation of the state's Open Meetings Law. The statute requires all public bodies to take basic steps to ensure the public's right to observe government proceedings. The Illuminator, which had requested notice to be sent, only learned of the meeting after it occurred when an attendee shared a copy of its recommendations. Louisiana's move to change accreditors comes as conservatives have sparred with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. |
| In rare move, Texas AG sues state board to end work-study programs | |
| The core mission of the Texas Attorney General's office includes defending the state and state agencies in court. But on Friday, Attorney General Ken Paxton's office filed a rare lawsuit against a Texas agency. The lawsuit seeks to force the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board's commissioner and board members to end three university work-study programs that Paxton's office claims unconstitutionally discriminates against religious students. Filed in a Travis County district court, the lawsuit alleges that the board is violating the First Amendment by prohibiting work-study participants from "engaging in sectarian activities, including sectarian courses of study," to receive state benefits. The Texas College Work-Study Program, the Texas Working Off-Campus: Reinforcing Knowledge and Skills Internship Program and the Innovative Adult Career Education Grant Program are all funded by the state and controlled by the coordinating board. The programs provide financially needy students with jobs and support that help them afford attending college in Texas. |
| Jobs Report: Hiring Flat for 2026 Grads | |
 | Forty-five percent of employers consider the job market to be "fair," and they are projecting a 1.6 percent year-over-year increase in hiring for the Class of 2026, according to a new report from the National Association of Colleges and Employers. The last time a plurality of employers gave the job market a "fair" rating was in 2021, when hiring projections were also flat. During the four interim years, most employers rated the job market as "good" or "very good," the report shows. About 60 percent of the 183 employers NACE polled for the 2026 Job Outlook Survey said they are planning to keep the number of people they hire stable next year. A quarter of employers said they plan to increase the number of hires, primarily citing a commitment to succession planning and the talent pipeline, as well as company growth, as key reasons. The top five industries for projected hiring growth are miscellaneous professional services; engineering services; construction; finance, insurance and real estate; and management consulting. |
| International Students Were Already Shunning U.S. Colleges Before Trump, New Data Show | |
 | The much-feared slide in international enrollments began before President Trump moved back into the White House. The number of new international students coming to the United States dropped 7 percent last fall, according to the Institute of International Education's annual "Open Doors" report released Monday. Declining interest in master's and professional programs precipitated the fall of 2024 slowdown. The slump is going to get much worse. A preliminary snapshot survey conducted by IIE and other global-education groups found new international enrollments plummeted another 17 percent this fall. While the snapshot report is less comprehensive than "Open Doors" -- the 825 institutions that responded account for about half of all international students -- it has been a previously reliable predictor of the official census. The full survey includes data from 3,000 colleges. That's bad news for colleges as they stare down a demographic cliff domestically. Foreign students are 6 percent of the college population but typically pay higher tuition rates and cover the full costs of their education themselves. |
SPORTS
| Men's Basketball: The Final Horn: State 75, Southeastern Louisiana 68 | |
| Mississippi State got back on track with a 75-68 win over Southeastern Louisiana on Saturday afternoon at Humphrey Coliseum. Through a tight first half, MSU grabbed a 40-35 lead heading into the locker room. In the second half, State led by as much as 17 points before the Lions began to crawl back, cutting State's advantage down to six three times in the final 1:24 of the game. But each time, the Bulldogs were able to answer to improve to 2-1 on the year. State is now 37-4 against non-SEC opponents during the regular season under Chris Jans. Shawn Jones Jr. led the Bulldogs in scoring, notching a career-high 17 points on the day and knocked down three triples in the process along with six boards and three assists. Josh Hubbard finished with 15 points and four dimes for the contest. The Bulldogs outrebounded SLU (0-4) by a 43-33 margin, also recording 18 assists as a team. Mississippi State will travel to Kansas City, Missouri for the Hall of Fame Classic where it faces Kansas State on Thursday at 8:30 p.m. on Peacock. |
| Cross Country: Bulldogs Earn Highest Regional Finish In Nine Years | |
| Mississippi State cross country finished fourth at the South Region Championships, the highest finish since 2016 for the Bulldogs. "Today was a fantastic day for the ladies and Coach Erinn," said head coach Chris Woods. "They really showed grit, determination, and what a team can do when a group of young ladies pulls together and has a collective goal, and they all attack that goal with the same effort and energy. We have a promising future with that part of the program, and I'm excited to see what the next few years bring." Nelly Jemeli was the first to cross the line for State, finishing in 10th place at 19:44.16. Her time is the new 6k program record, and she is the third woman in program history to run sub-20 over the distance. Jemeli will wait to see if she earns an individual bid to the NCAA Championships. Naomi Jepleting was next to cross the line in 16th place, running a personal best of 19:54.34, also surpassing the previous 6k program record. Milicent Kemboi followed closely in 21st place, running a personal best of 20:00.24. Jemeli, Jepleting and Kemboi all earned All-Region honors by finishing in the top 25 in the field. Louise Stonham was the fourth finisher for State, crossing the line in 33rd place in 20:16.96 for a new 6k personal best. Gabrielle Boulay rounded out the scorers, crossing the line in 20:33.95 to finish 44th. |
| Football: Bulldogs Fall On The Road To Missouri | |
| Mississippi State came up short on Saturday night as the Bulldogs dropped a 49-27 decision at Missouri. Missouri drew first blood with a touchdown at the 11:29 mark of the first quarter to jump out to an early 7-0 advantage. On the following possession, State was able to respond with a 47-yard field goal from kicker Kyle Ferrie to dig into the Tigers' lead, but Missouri soon found the end zone again to respond right back and go up 14-3 with 4:52 to play in the first. The first quarter ended with a two-yard touchdown run from MSU quarterback Blake Shapen to cap off a long drive. MSU then entered the second quarter trailing 14-10. At the beginning of the third quarter, State's defense came up with another turnover as lineman Trevion Williams forced a fumble and linebacker Malick Sylla recovered to set up the Bulldogs right around midfield. Shapen led the offense down the field and found the endzone with his legs again from three yards out to cut the Tiger lead to 21-17 with 10:28 left in the third. Missouri responded with 14 unanswered points of their own to extend its lead to 35-17. State quarterback Kamario Taylor helped the Dawgs draw closer when he found tight end Seydou Traore from three yards out for a touchdown later in the third, but it wasn't enough for State as the Tigers pulled away. Mississippi State will have an open week before the Bulldogs host rival Ole Miss in the Battle for the Golden Egg on Friday, Nov. 28, at Davis Wade Stadium. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m. |
| Soccer: State's Season Ends In First Round Of NCAA Tournament | |
| Mississippi State saw its season come to a close in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday night with a 1-0 loss to Lipscomb in front of its home crowd. In a defensive battle, the Bisons (15-5-2) found the match's only goal on a breakaway chance midway through the first half. From then on Lipscomb was content to defend as State poured on 18 shots while earning 11 total corners. The Bulldogs possessed the ball for 72 percent of the game, but could never find an equalizer. "Credit to Lipscomb, really well-coached and made it really difficult for us," head coach Nick Zimmerman said. "They sat in, and sometimes that's the way football is. It's cruel. You create a lot of good chances, and Lipscomb's goalkeeper made some incredible saves. I'm really proud of this group and everything they've accomplished this year, the willingness to continue to work and to be intentional every single day. I can't say enough great things about them. Not the result we wanted, but we talk about performance over results. Tonight they gave everything they had and just came a little bit short." |
| Soccer: Bulldogs' postseason ends early in 1-0 loss to Lipscomb | |
| Mississippi State's soccer team had its chances, 18 total shots in fact -- but Lipscomb only needed one Saturday night in Starkville. The back-to-back Atlantic Sun Conference champions got one goal on a fast break from Bella Carapazza, a high-flying screamer off her right foot into the top left net, and the team followed up with 59 minutes of stalwart defense to pull the 1-0 upset and knock the No. 6 Bulldogs out of the NCAA Division I Tournament Saturday night. The Bulldogs dominated the ball throughout the game with a possession percentage of 72% and came out of the break desperate. The team tallied 14 shot attempts in the second half but none could find the net. Led by goalie Kaïna Cesar's five saves, Lipscomb thwarted State's 18 shots, six on goal, and had an answer for every one of the Bulldogs' 11 corner kicks. As the final whistle blew and the game was over, many of the Bulldogs fell to their knees tired and in disbelief. The loss marked the second time in eight years that the Bisons played spoiler to MSU's postseason dreams, the last of which was 1-0 win in overtime in the first round in the 2018 NCAA Tournament. |
| MSU Extension: Tips to prevent deer hunting accidents | |
| Officials with the Mississippi State University (MSU) Extension Service are encouraging deer hunters to be safe while hunting. While the 2025 archery portion of deer hunting season has been underway, the gun portion of the season will soon begin. According to the MSU Extension Service, tree stand accidents far outnumber any other type of hunting accident. While hunters are not required to use safety harnesses when hunting on private lands, officials said it's better to be safe than take unnecessary risks. If hunters plant to hunt from an elevated blind or "shooting house," it should be inspected first. Officials said the elements take their toll after several years of weather exposure. Make sure the support structures, steps or ladder and flooring are all in good shape. Hunting accidents involving firearms are rare, but they do occur. Deer hunters should always wear the amount of hunter orange required by law, be sure of their target and know their position in relation to hunting partners, residential areas and public roads. |
| It's not Lane Kiffin's fault for putting Ole Miss in limbo. Blame college football's broken coaching model | |
| If you've followed the online discourse [last] week surrounding Florida's visit to Ole Miss, it has been a predictable mess. Wild rumors. Cryptic interviews. Online sports books changing their odds. Recruits committed to Florida suddenly visiting Oxford. What does it all mean? Lane Kiffin is loving this. Or, at the very least, the Ole Miss coach is comfortable enough in the chaos to allow this raging fire to continue breathing, even as everyone knows -- including his bosses at Ole Miss -- he's weeks away from a choice about whether to stay where he's at or leave for Gainesville. But that's only a fraction of activity that has taken place this week in the coaching search industrial complex. It's not just backchannels between agents and search firms anymore. It's sitting head coaches jumping on Zoom calls with athletic directors while their seasons are still playing out, schools trying to make handshake deals so they have a new coach ready to roll out the first week of December, and even setting up multiple if/then scenarios where if an agent can't guarantee this guy, then one of the other clients on his roster will be ready to sign once the first domino falls. "There are coaches talking to other schools in the middle of the season and usually the AD knows," one agent told Yahoo Sports. "I'd be furious if I were on that side. Why do they allow it? I don't get it." In other words, ridiculous business as usual. |
| College football's most-coveted coach has found a home at Ole Miss. But is Oxford enough for Lane Kiffin? | |
| Rising over Lane Kiffin's right shoulder, tilted against his office wall, the giant picture of Kobe Bryant is unmistakable. Bryant's gaze pierces through the image, and above him, scrawled across a black backdrop, written in white lettering, is a message so fitting that it almost feels staged: Block Out The Noise, Stay Focused. From the other side of his desk, Kiffin explains that he added the picture to his office after what happened last year, when a late-season stumble cost his Ole Miss program a playoff spot. At this very moment, Kiffin would like to avoid speaking about the irony of Kobe's message --- how his team, the Rebels, are preparing to play a program, Florida, in the midst of a head-coaching search that seems squarely focused on him. It's no real secret. In fact, Kiffin addressed the issue with his team a couple weeks ago and has proceeded to discuss it when asked in public interviews. On this day, an unseasonably cold but sun-splashed November Tuesday in north Mississippi, Kiffin politely declines to talk specifics about his future. |
| The Texas Billionaire Trying to Tame the Wild West of College Sports | |
| It was homecoming weekend at Texas Tech and oil billionaire Cody Campbell was everywhere. Before the Red Raiders took on Kansas, he stood on Cody Campbell Field while an ad -- paid for by Cody Campbell -- aired on the jumbotron. The star of the spot was none other than Cody Campbell. Until this season, few people outside of West Texas had ever heard his name. But now Campbell, the 44-year-old chairman of Texas Tech's Board of Regents, is unmissable. He has made it his singular purpose to tackle the influence and financial might of the Big Ten and Southeastern Conferences. Campbell's fingerprints are already all over Texas Tech's campus. If he gets his way, they'll be all over college sports on a national scale, too. Inside the White House, he is already thought of as America's college sports czar. Long a major supporter of Texas Tech athletics---and a former offensive lineman for the Red Raiders---Campbell says that he began quietly studying the inner workings of college sports in 2021. Two things concerned him. First, he feared that rising financial pressure would lead schools to eliminate women's and Olympic sports teams to save money. And second, he worried that the widening revenue gap between the Big Ten, the SEC and everyone else would soon leave his beloved alma mater in the dust. |
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