Mississippi State will host the state's first-ever Teacher Appreciation Day Oct. 28, 2000, beginning at noon near Scott Field. Every teacher in the state and their families are invited to the Saturday festivities, which include lunch and a ticket to the afternoon Bulldog Homecoming game against Middle Tennessee.

In an effort to recognize this group for its dedication and hard work, the College of Education and the Department of Athletics collaborated on the colossal project. A Teacher Appreciation Day "package deal," including a sack lunch and a seat in a designated section of the stadium, is available for under $20. Sack lunches are available separately for $7 and game tickets separately for $12 each. Children are welcome, and entertainment will be provided at the pre-game gathering.

Teachers will be saluted throughout the Homecoming game, and halftime will feature various teacher recognition ceremonies.

Chuck Beddingfield, associate director for athletics, said the day's activities serve to remind everyone how important teachers are to the future.

"Mississippi teachers have a very difficult job and often are not appreciated enough for their efforts," he said. "We wanted to give teachers and their families a chance to have fun together, and we hope that Teacher Appreciation Day will remind people just how hard teachers work to shape and educate the leaders of our future."

Beddingfield stressed that teachers of all alumni affiliations are invited to the day's festivities.

For more information about Mississippi State's Teacher Appreciation Day, contact Beddingfield at 662-325-3074 or Bo Hemphill in the MSU Foundation office at 662-325-3496.