Student Express

Student News at Mississippi State University

PARKING AND TRANSIT CHANGES ANNOUNCED

Several changes in parking and transit service will be taking place in coming days with the approach of the end of the semester.

Parking Services has announced that transit services night routes will end this weekend with the Saturday night route. All other routes will continue until Dec. 11.

Beginning Dec. 12 through the remainder of the fall semester, students may park in any commuter zone on campus.

For more information, contact Parking Services at 325-2661.

STANFORD CHOSEN MISS MSU

Saltillo native Corie P. Stanford (c) beat out seven other contestants Wednesday night to win the title of Miss Mississippi State and the right to represent the university in the Miss Mississippi Pageant in Vicksburg next summer.

The junior communication major is a transfer from Itawamba Community College and a 2005 graduate of Saltillo High School.

She is the 21-year-old daughter of Gary and Felicia Stanford. In addition to competing in the Miss Mississippi Pageant, Stanford will serve as a goodwill ambassador for the university, attending numerous university functions and events throughout the year, as well as promoting her platform on campus and in local communities.

As Miss MSU, she will receive a $1,500 tuition scholarship and a $1,000 stipend to assist in preparation for the Miss Mississippi Pageant, along with awards from numerous event sponsors.

Sophomore Natalie B. Bullard (l) of Ripley and senior Brittainy E. Childers of Aberdeen were named first and second runners-up, respectively, during the Wednesday night program in Lee Hall auditorium. Bullard is a communication/broadcasting and theater major, while Childers is majoring in management.

Coach Fanning chalks up 200 wins

MSU Lady Bulldogs head coach Sharon Fanning picked up her 200th career win last night while dealing the University of Southern Mississippi their first loss of the season topping the Lady Golden Eagles 77-56.

Ten Lady Bulldogs found the scoring column to secure the victory with sophomore guard Tysheka Grimes posting a game high 20 points.

More....

BASKETBALL BULLDOGS LOOK TO RETURN TO WIN COLUMN

The MSU basketball Bulldogs are hoping to regain their composure and put a notch in the win column tomorrow after a road trip that saw them drop two out of three games last weekend.

Led by Head Coach Rick Stansbury and All-American candidate Jamont Gordon, the Dogs (3-3) will resume action against the Murray State University Racers (3-1) at noon in Humphrey Coliseum, five days removed from a less than stellar performance in the Anaheim Classic in Anaheim, Calif.

Despite two losses, the Bulldog netters boast four players averaging double digits in scoring, with Gordon leading the way by averaging 17.8 points per game, followed by senior forward Charles Rhodes, averaging 14.8.

The Racers travel to Starkville riding a two-game winning streak led by sophomore forward Danero Thomas, averaging 15.5 points per game and 5.5 rebounds.

While the Racers have been riding high of late, the Bulldog netters have struggled. Last weekend in the Anaheim Classic, Gordon and company took down UC Irvine 68-53 in the first round before losing to Southern Illinois 63-49 Saturday and Miami-Ohio 67-60 in the consolation game on Sunday.

Following Saturday's match-up, the Dogs will have a seven-day rest before lacing up to take on Southeast Louisiana on Dec. 8 at 2 p.m. in Humphrey Coliseum.

ADDITIONAL BIKE RACKS TO BE INSTALLED

In response to the ever increasing number of cyclists navigating campus, 33 new bike racks are expected to be installed and ready for use when students return for the spring semester in January.

Facilities Management is currently in the process of preparing many sites for installation of the racks, said project coordinator Joel Butler.

"Some of the areas where they are going to be placed need concrete pads," Butler said. "We are in the process of pouring those right now. Hopefully, we will be done with the installations by the end of the year so they will ready when students return for spring semester."

Currently, there are 109 racks across campus, providing 898 spaces. The addition of the new racks will bring the totals to 143 racks and 1,175 spaces.

Butler said as more money is made available, new racks will continue to be added to accommodate student needs.

The installation of the racks is part of efforts to ensure bikes are used on campus in accordance with school policy. Earlier this year, several bicycles were confiscated by campus police for being improperly parked and affixed to areas such as stairway entrances, trees and light poles, prompting an outcry from many about the inadequate number of bike racks.

Assistant dean of students Thomas Bourgeois said the university is working diligently to meet the need of students, but emphasized they should be aware of university policies regarding use of bicycles and operate them accordingly.

"Students need to be aware of our bicycle policy," Bourgeois said. "There are some individuals who aren't riding bicycles in a manner consistent with university policy. This creates unsafe situations for themselves and others."

Several issues which have arisen from the increased amount of cyclists were the number of riders operating their bikes on pedestrian-only pathways and crosswalks.

Bourgeois said enforcement of policy is not meant to be a deterrent for bicycle use, but rather a means for keeping everyone safe, including the riders.

"Having more bicyclists is really all a part of the plan," Bourgeois said. "When we made the change in parking policies, we knew there would be more people on bicycles and skateboards and that is what we wanted. We just want them to operate them in a safe manner for everyone and be courteous to others."

Student Profile: Amy Rigney

Amy Rigney

Freshman Amy Rigney is a champion. While it may not have a trophy or lead to a bowl game, the Madison native is just as proud of her contribution as wide receiver for her undefeated intramural football team as any scholarship athlete.

An avid sports fan, the teaching and coaching major played basketball for Madison Central High School before coming to MSU, but said making the leap to the gridiron in college was a bit unexpected.

"I've always been an athlete throughout high school and I actually played powder puff football," Rigney said. "But, one night I was at BSU and a friend of mine invited me to join their team, so I figured why not."

With that invitation, she joined the Cowbells, a coed intramural football team, and the rest, as they say, is history.

"We went undefeated through 10 games and we won the championship," Rigney said proudly.

While not yet officially on an intramural basketball team, the football champ is looking to follow in the footsteps of athletic greats like Bo Jackson and become a dual-sport athlete at MSU.

A little more about Amy Rigney:

Who is your biggest hero? My parents.

What kind of music is in your iPod/MP3 right now? A little bit of everything from country and Christian to rap.

What is your favorite movie of all time? Remember the Titans.

What is your favorite food? My dad's chicken salad.

Who is your favorite actor/actress? Julia Roberts.

If I could be anything I wanted. . . A dolphin, because then I could live by the beach and swim and jump and enjoy life.

What's Going on this Week