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Delta State to play host to Cellular South Ferriss Trophy presentation, May 21

By May 10, 2007General

 
Michael Rubenstein, Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum Executive Director; Dave “Boo” Ferriss, Cellular South Ferriss Trophy namesake; and Hu Meena, President of Cellular South.    

He’s beaming, as he stands in front of the beautifully sculpted trophy bearing his resemblance. “We’re coming home,” Dave “Boo” Ferriss laughs, as the baseball legend again points to the trophy.

This year, for the first time since its inception, the Cellular South Ferriss Trophy presentation will be made in Ferriss’ hometown of Cleveland, inside the Bologna Performing Arts Center (BPAC) on the campus of Delta State University, Monday, May 21 at 7:00 p.m.

 
Traditionally held in Jackson inside the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum each May, this year’s road telecast marks the first time the trophy presentation has been made outside of the State’s capital since its inception in 2004.

“Cellular South encouraged us to make the move and Delta State and the Cleveland Chamber of Commerce were happy to have us, so it made a lot of sense,” Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum Executive Director, Michael Rubenstein explained. “We are excited to be taking the show on the road, and know we will be supported well in the Delta area.”
 
Delta State University President, Dr. John M. Hilpert offered of the move, “We are honored to play host to such an exciting event. We look forward to welcoming the top three collegiate baseball players in the state to our campus.
 
“Delta State is so fortunate to have Coach Ferriss as a member of our Delta State family,” Hilpert continued. “The Cellular South Ferriss Trophy is a fitting tribute to his great career in college baseball.”
 
Cleveland Mayor, David Work is equally excited by the move. “We were thrilled to hear we had won the bid to host the Cellular South Ferriss Trophy presentation. Cleveland has long had a tremendous history of baseball and with Coach Ferriss being one of our residents, it seems like a very natural fit. We welcome all involved with this prestigious event to our town and hope you enjoy your time in Cleveland.”

The move also allows baseball enthusiasts the opportunity to tour Delta State’s museum dedicated to the career of its long-time head baseball coach, Dave “Boo” Ferriss. “Inning by Inning: A Life in Baseball” chronicles Ferriss’ illustrious career from his early days at Shaw High School, to a young man at Mississippi State, to the height of his career with the Boston Red Sox, to his days at the helm of his beloved Delta State program. The museum is scheduled to be open Monday, May 21 from 3 – 6 p.m. and Tuesday, May 22 from 9 a.m. – noon.
 
For those purchasing tickets to the Cellular South Ferriss Trophy presentation, they will be entered into a drawing to have a guided tour of the Museum with Coach Ferriss, as well as lunch with the baseball legend.
 
Three winners will be chosen at random and announced during the broadcast. Winners may invite five other people to accompany them for the tour and lunch.
 
“Anyone that has had the pleasure or privilege to spend more than five minutes with Coach Ferriss knows what a wonderful man he is,” offered Judson Thigpen, Executive Director of the Cleveland-Bolivar County Chamber of Commerce and former Statesmen player for Ferriss. “He is a charismatic storyteller with a memory for detail that is absolutely awe-inspiring.”
 
Rubenstein concurred, adding, “This is an once-in-a-lifetime experience. Coach Ferriss is a true jewel for the state and the game.”
 
Presented annually to the top collegiate baseball player in Mississippi, the Cellular South Ferriss Trophy presentation will be televised live statewide from the BPAC by Mississippi Public Broadcasting.  Former ESPN analyst and current Cincinnati Reds broadcaster Jeff Brantley will host the telecast.
 
Finalists for this year’s trophy are set to be announced, Monday, May 14.

A reception will precede the presentation. For ticket information, please contact the Museum at 1-800-280-FAME (3263), 601-982-8264 or generalinfo@msfame.com. Ticket forms are also available at the Cleveland-Bolivar County Chamber of Commerce in Cleveland.
 
All proceeds benefit the private non-profit Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame & Museum and support is tax-deductible to the full extent allowed by law.  For more information about the Cellular South Ferriss Trophy, please visit www.cellularsouth.com.