Help Us Answer the Bell

[CharlieWinfield]

When a boxer faces adversity, he has two options: he can throw in the towel and give up, or he can summon the strength to answer the bell to start the next round.

It?s no secret that the past two weeks have been challenging. But, having been knocked down, we now face the same choices: we can yield to adversity, or we can answer the challenge and redouble our efforts to prepare for next season.

Quitting isn't in a Bulldog's DNA.

Over the past few days, the flow of positive news on the recruiting front has picked up significantly. And, as seen both through today?s major fundraising announcement from MSU Athletics and from the wave of new Bulldog Initiative supporters this week, it is clear people recognize that the work of preparing for the next generation of Bulldogs is already underway. The Bulldog faithful are, in other words, answering the bell.

Today, we ask that you ask us answer bell by doing the following:


Encourage people to join The Bulldog Initiative (http://bulldoginitiative.com) as monthly, quarterly, or annual members;

Encourage current members to increase their donations (https://bulldoginitiative.com/support-the-initiative/) by one giving level or more; and

Encourage everyone to support The State Excellence Fund (https://app.hailstate.com/StateExcellenceLaunch) - which is fully aligned with our work and mission.

Through these efforts, we hope not only to drive significant contributions to The State Excellence Fund but also to generate an additional $1 million in annualized contributions through our Bulldog Initiative membership program.

It won?t always be easy, and the journey may feel challenging at times. But, there is a bright future with Coach Jeff Lebby ahead if we commit to helping him.

We will provide weekly updates on our progress, and we will also enter our members and donors into drawings for MSU game-worn gear, cool memorabilia, Bulldog Initiative cowbells, and other player-autographed items each week throughout our campaign.

Beyond giving, though, we need your help in another way: Please spread the word and encourage your friends to join us in these efforts. There is no amount of marketing that can substitute for a personal discussion.

In closing, we are beyond appreciative of the valuable work done by the MSU Athletic Department administration in making today possible, and we are fortunate to share an unparalleled vision and alignment with them.

Today is a great day. Let's help make more of them.

Thanks,
Charlie

[gtowndawg]

Charlie, thanks for all you do, it's not easy I know.

Would you mind clarifying the difference between this State Excellence Fund and the Bulldog Initiative? Do the funds from both go to NIL? I guess what I'm asking is why two funds if they are for NIL? Or perhaps the State Excellence fund is more about the recent legal rulings (school's requirements)?

[DEDawg]

Awesome post, if everyone on here could set up a recurring monthly $20 donation (3 trips to Starbucks) it would go a long way! Then get a friend to do the same. The billing is super easy, it just charges my card each month I don’t even notice or have to do anything.

[TrapGame]

Folks, I didn't graduate or attend MSU. I graduated from the university down south, due to certain situations. But, I've been I fan of Mississippi State since I was a kid and my mom was there working on her Ed degree. I lived in the library from the time I was 9 till I was 12. I am 100% a State fan.

If I can give monthly, so can you. Hail State.

[CharlieWinfield]

not ignoring this - just overwhelmed right now running 100 miles an hour - will be back to update.

[99jc]

you are a true bulldog! You need to be the AD.

[bulldogcountry1]

Charlie,

When you talk to fans who are reluctant to give, what are the main reasons you hear?

I have been giving a modest amount monthly for a year or so. I feel I give the most I am conforable with, not knowing anything about how or if it is being used. I don't feel entitled to know everything about how the Country Pleasin' sausage is made, and I know you aren't going to tell everyone how much Jim Bob Johnson is getting. I just wonder if our blue collar fan base would be more open to NIL if they knew general budgets, what is spent, and how we stack up with the rest of the SEC. As it is, we are just left with rumors that range from "our NIL is fine" to " we can't compete".

[cheewgumm]

Charlie,

Can you get acess to students who are in sports admin and have them calling alumni 24 / 7 working to increase and maintain our recurring "install base"?

Seems like just by how sales works, if they were constantly calling and requesting sign ups, we could surpass 5,000 in no time.

[DawgFromOxford]

Charlie,

Can you get acess to students who are in sports admin and have them calling alumni 24 / 7 working to increase and maintain our recurring "install base"?

Seems like just by how sales works, if they were constantly calling and requesting sign ups, we could surpass 5,000 in no time.

Tell em they can keep 10% of all annual funds raised. Raise $10,000 that week, you just made a $1,000. (No clue if this financially possible or legal).

[TheLostDawg]

When a boxer faces adversity, he has two options: he can throw in the towel and give up, or he can summon the strength to answer the bell to start the next round.

It?s no secret that the past two weeks have been challenging. But, having been knocked down, we now face the same choices: we can yield to adversity, or we can answer the challenge and redouble our efforts to prepare for next season.

Quitting isn't in a Bulldog's DNA.

Over the past few days, the flow of positive news on the recruiting front has picked up significantly. And, as seen both through today?s major fundraising announcement from MSU Athletics and from the wave of new Bulldog Initiative supporters this week, it is clear people recognize that the work of preparing for the next generation of Bulldogs is already underway. The Bulldog faithful are, in other words, answering the bell.

Today, we ask that you ask us answer bell by doing the following:


Encourage people to join The Bulldog Initiative (http://bulldoginitiative.com) as monthly, quarterly, or annual members;

Encourage current members to increase their donations (https://bulldoginitiative.com/support-the-initiative/) by one giving level or more; and

Encourage everyone to support The State Excellence Fund (https://app.hailstate.com/StateExcellenceLaunch) - which is fully aligned with our work and mission.

Through these efforts, we hope not only to drive significant contributions to The State Excellence Fund but also to generate an additional $1 million in annualized contributions through our Bulldog Initiative membership program.

It won?t always be easy, and the journey may feel challenging at times. But, there is a bright future with Coach Jeff Lebby ahead if we commit to helping him.

We will provide weekly updates on our progress, and we will also enter our members and donors into drawings for MSU game-worn gear, cool memorabilia, Bulldog Initiative cowbells, and other player-autographed items each week throughout our campaign.

Beyond giving, though, we need your help in another way: Please spread the word and encourage your friends to join us in these efforts. There is no amount of marketing that can substitute for a personal discussion.

In closing, we are beyond appreciative of the valuable work done by the MSU Athletic Department administration in making today possible, and we are fortunate to share an unparalleled vision and alignment with them.

Today is a great day. Let's help make more of them.

Thanks,
Charlie

Thanks for the update. I will increase my donation each month. As bulldog country stated I haven't heard anything recently, any auctions, raffles, events, etc. It's been kind of dead. Good to hear yall landing big fish and have picked up some more smaller ones like me. All I ask is you just post updates, doesn't have to be specific, just to keep is engaged. There are former players all over the state. Have though about asking them to go to watch parties and try raising money there? Could sell BI merch

[Cowbell]

Thank you Charlie for all you do!

[Goldendawg]

Charlie, I bumped the sticky BI website thread above, but what is the difference in contributing to BI and the State Excellence Fund begun with the fantastic 8 million dollars donation today? How does the new fund work with the BI? I currently give a quarterly donation to the BI, but even with the disappointment of the last 2 weeks, I have decided to either increase my BI donation or contribute to the new fund. Color me maroon and white, but confused on how these two work together or separately. Hail State! Class of 77.

[gtowndawg]

Charlie, I bumped the sticky BI website thread above, but what is the difference in contributing to BI and the State Excellence Fund begun with the fantastic 8 million dollars donation today? How does the new fund work with the BI? I currently give a quarterly donation to the BI, but even with the disappointment of the last 2 weeks, I have decided to either increase my BI donation or contribute to the new fund. Color me maroon and white, but confused on how these two work together or separately. Hail State! Class of 77.

I'm still confused on that as well. The school's website doesn't cleary explain the state excellence fund either.

Case in point, the BI has their twitter account, @bulldognil but a new twitter account @hailstatenil is now on the scene. The Hail State one is the new excellence fund I assume. But it's two different NIL's that sounds like work together? Or Maybe State is just taking over the marketing aspect of the NIL??

[Commercecomet24]

Thank you for all you do, Charlie! You are very much appreciated!

[TheLostDawg]

From what I gather the Bulldog Initiative is just what it has been. The State Excellence Fund is the former bulldog club donation. That could be totally wrong