University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Southern Miss Football Continues Fun, Busy Summer
7/27/2016 12:00:00 AM | Football
HATTIESBURG, Miss. -- The Southern Miss football preseason ride continued to move along with the Jackson All-Star Party, Gulf Coast Beach Bash and Football 101 Clinic.
Thursday, June 21 saw several members of the Golden Eagle football team, as well as cheerleaders and Seymour D'Campus, tour the Batson Children's Hospital in Jackson during the afternoon. Everyone made in-room visits to the patients and met others in activity rooms for games and autographs. The bus then made the short trip to the Mississippi Trademart Center, where the 29 players in attendance set up for an assembly line of autographs, pictures and hand-shaking with arguably the largest crowd in the event's 33-year history.
Longtime broadcaster John Cox served as the emcee, introducing the players in attendance as well as coaches from each sport who were representing their programs. Director of Athletics Bill McGillis and head football coach Jay Hopson also took part in Q-and-As with Cox on stage.
The next night saw the Golden Eagle caravan get as Southern Miss as one could ask: hosting a party at the St. Thomas Community Center adjacent to the university' Gulf Park campus, across the street from the coast. That afternoon, the 20 participating football members split into two groups and visited Boys and Girls' clubs in Gulfport and Pass Christian. Screams for Seymour were deafening, and the student-athletes left the children wide-eyed with their slam dunk, three-point and football toss exhibitions. That venture ended on a high note with the Golden Eagle contingent teaching their young hosts the "Southern Miss... To The Top!" chant and leaving behind a seemingly infinite amount of autographed schedule posters.
Tuesday, July 26 marked the eighth-annual Football 101: Chalk Talk for Ladies event inside the Giannini Touchdown Terrace at M.M. Roberts Stadium. The event was held in accordance with Forrest General Hospital's Spirit of Women, complete with prizes, specialized sessions with members of the football coaching staff and a captivating speech from Jay and Michelle Hopson about both the wild coaching journey itself and their own unique endeavors that led them back home to Hattiesburg.
The three events featured strong external media coverage as well as multiple camera angles from the Southern Miss athletics video staff. Next on the docket is the 21st annual Eagle Fanfare, set for Aug. 13 from 2-4 p.m. at the Lake Terrace Convention Center.
