Sports – Page 68 – The Mississippi Link

Rebels’ Henderson reprimanded by NCAA

The NCAA has issued an official reprimand to University of Mississippi basketball player Marshall Henderson for his conduct following the Rebels’ third-round NCAA tournament game.

After Ole Miss’ season-ending 76-74 loss to La Salle in Kansas City on March 24, Henderson reportedly extended both middle fingers to the crowd as he left the court. Henderson later apologized in a letter posted on Ole Miss’ website.

The NCAA issued the reprimand Wednesday, June 26, saying Henderson’s actions failed to represent the “highest standards of sportsmanship.” The reprimand letter came from Ron Wellman, chairman of the Division I Men’s Basketball Committee and athletic director at Wake Forest. […]

Swagger convicted in Gulfport city court

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Professional wrestler Jack Swagger has been convicted in Gulfport Municipal Court on charges of driving under the influence and speeding.

Swagger, whose real name is Donald Jacob “Jake” Hager Jr., was arrested just before midnight Feb. 19 in Gulfport. Swagger had just completed taping the TV show “WWE SmackDown” in Biloxi at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum. […]

NCAA accepts self-imposed sanctions, praises MSU’s cooperation

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The NCAA Committee on Infractions has accepted the self-imposed sanctions levied by Mississippi State University in a case that centered on the actions of a former MSU booster, a former MSU assistant football coach, and a current MSU student-athlete.

The violations were investigated by the NCAA enforcement staff with the full cooperation of the MSU Athletics Department compliance staff. The committee cited MSU for its efforts to fully investigate and uncover the violations. The violations center on the actions of a disassociated former MSU booster and the failure of the former assistant coach to report actions by that former booster to MSU compliance officials. […]

Miss. to give $15M for Biloxi minor league stadium

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Mississippi plans to use $15 million of BP oil spill recovery money to help build a minor league baseball stadium in downtown Biloxi.

Gov. Phil Bryant made the announcement Thursday.

The rest of the $35 million stadium will be paid for by up to $21 million that the city of Biloxi has agreed to borrow.

Bryant says it’s appropriate to use BP money because the stadium will enhance tourism on Mississippi’s Gulf Coast, offsetting effects of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon spill.
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Mississippi offers free fishing weekend

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The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks is offering a statewide free fishing weekend June 1-2.

It kicks off National Fishing and Boating Week, which celebrates the importance of recreational boating and fishing in enhancing quality of life and conserving the country’s natural resources.

The Vicksburg Post reports the department, the Mississippi Wildlife Federation and the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science will also host the 11th annual Katfishin’ Kids Fishing Rodeo on June 1. […]

Local Sports

MVSU unveils plans to renovate HPER Complex

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Mississippi Valley State University is planning $17.5 million in renovations and expansion the R.W. Harrison HPER Complex.

MVSU officials say the work will include exterior repairs, life safety upgrades and accessibility upgrades. It will have 2,700 seats for athletic events and 2,800 seats for other programs, such as commencement.

The HPER Complex is the home for MVSU volleyball and basketball games. It has not been renovated or upgraded since its construction in 1977. […]

Mississippi State’s Renfroe wins Ferriss Trophy

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The first time Mississippi State coach John Cohen saw Hunter Renfroe play baseball, he marveled at his natural ability.

Three years later, he’s also in awe of his work ethic.

The two traits helped Renfroe have a breakout season. On May 20th, he was named the winner of the C Spire Ferriss Trophy during a ceremony at the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame.

The award, voted on by a panel of professional scouts, college coaches and a media member, is given to Mississippi’s top college baseball player. The 6-foot-1, 216-pound Renfroe leads the Bulldogs with a .362 batting average, 15 homers, 51 RBIs and nine stolen bases. […]

Ex-Jacksonville WR Jimmy Smith serving prison term

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Former Jacksonville Jaguars receiver Jimmy Smith has begun serving a six-year prison term in Mississippi for drug possession and weapons charges, online state corrections records show.

The Mississippi Department of Corrections’ website says the 44-year-old Smith entered the prison system in late March and was recently moved to a facility in Yazoo City. He was sentenced by a Madison County court to two years for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and four years for possession of cocaine, records show.

WJXX-TV in Jacksonville, Fla., first reported Smith’s sentence. His tentative release date is listed as Nov. 8, 2018. […]

4th lawsuit filed against JSU athletics director

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The athletics director of Jackson State University is now facing four federal lawsuits related to allegations that she sexually harassed an assistant and fired other employees who supported the woman.

The first lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court in August by Lolita Ward, who says Athletic Director Vivian Fuller subjected her to inappropriate comments, gestures and touching in 2011.

The lawsuit claims Ward was subjected to a hostile work environment and fired in October 2011 after rejecting the advances. […]

Mississippi's Henderson writes apology letter

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Mississippi guard Marshall Henderson has posted a letter on the school’s athletic website apologizing for some of his actions during a successful but turbulent season.

The 6-foot-2 junior averaged more than 20 points per game this season, leading the Rebels to their first NCAA tournament since 2002. But Henderson became more known for his exuberant celebrations and trash talking than his scoring ability. Multiple media outlets also reported that Henderson made an obscene gesture toward the crowd following the team’s season-ending loss to LaSalle. […]