| Why is it that Mississippi State University has not | | | | practice and off season work out. I think there is |
| been able to create a winning football tradition? | | | | a very good argument to be made that this level |
| Every MSU fan has an answer and your answer | | | | of expectation makes better players, better |
| might well touch on coaching, recruiting, facilities, | | | | coaches and better fans. |
| budget, fan support or other equally important | | | | But, you may think, it is easy to have great |
| aspects of a winning tradition. However this article | | | | expectations when you have a winning tradition. I |
| is not about why we have failed, but how we can | | | | suggest that in order for Mississippi State |
| succeed. | | | | University to build such a tradition we must begin |
| For the past two football seasons I have lived in | | | | with the expectation of winning. It is not the |
| Birmingham, Alabama, and no one can argue that | | | | expectation of a miracle, but a rational |
| Alabama does not have a winning football tradition. | | | | expectation based upon a realistic look at our |
| Our neighbors are Alabama and Auburn fans as | | | | University and what we have to offer. |
| are fellow church members and almost everyone | | | | Our head coach brings energy, enthusiasm, and a |
| with whom we come in contact. The newspapers, | | | | record of success. Our athletic director brings new |
| television stations and sports talk on local radio | | | | ideas and a willingness to make change when |
| are consumed by Alabama and Auburn football. | | | | needed. Our President also brings youth and new |
| While both schools have had ups and downs, they | | | | energy to Mississippi State. We are arriving at a |
| definitely have winning traditions. | | | | confluence of events that make a cultural sea |
| It is difficult to put into words the importance of | | | | change possible. |
| expectations. Alabama fans expect to win. They | | | | There's an old saying to the effect that a certain |
| expect to win every single game they play | | | | percentage of any group always fails to get the |
| whether home or away. From this simple concept | | | | message. In this age of cell phones, e-mail and |
| so much of a winning tradition arises. Fans, | | | | text messages not to mention the more |
| coaches, players, administrators, students, faculty | | | | traditional methods of communication, let's make |
| and anyone with an interest in Alabama football | | | | sure every MSU fan gets the message |
| expect to win. | | | | If, in your heart of hearts, you are not able to |
| An amazing amount of action flows from | | | | reach the appropriate level of expectations then |
| expectations. Because they expect to win, | | | | fake it and only you will know. Act and talk like |
| Alabama fans buy tickets and fill their stadium to | | | | you have winning expectations. Buy those |
| give the home team an advantage. Because they | | | | seasons tickets and make a contribution to the |
| expect to win fans travel to away games to | | | | Bulldog Club. Fill your small portion of the stadium |
| take away some of the home field advantage of | | | | and expect others to do their part. From these |
| their opponents. Understand that this level of | | | | positive actions will come positive expectations. I |
| expectation rises above hope or want. They | | | | expect our stadium to sell out for every home |
| expect to win the same way they expect the | | | | game. I expect our football team to be exciting |
| sun to rise tomorrow. | | | | and to win. I expect that together we can |
| Players and coaches expect to win and they are | | | | permanently alter the perception of MSU football |
| surrounded by people who expect them to win. | | | | as less than first-rate. I expect our fans, coaches |
| There is no escape from this expectation. During | | | | and players will work together to forever make |
| a tough football game the coaches and players | | | | MSU football a symbol of excellence |
| know what everyone expects. They also are | | | | Please join with me in expecting success for our |
| aware of the level of expectation during every | | | | Mississippi State University football program. |
