When I say “most successful in Mississippi”, I mean it. Delta State has won national championships at the level of football, baseball, and six in women’s basketball. All sports, including swimming, have seen Delta State athletes win 14 national titles and 37 regional championships. They also won 68 conference crowns. This is impressive for a school of just 3,500 students that receives very little media attention outside of Bolivar County. Many of the achievements of Delta State have been under-reported, due to the fact that traditional newspapers have decreased staffing and reduced the size of their sports sections. The Deltans continue to win. This is an incredible story that goes back to 1960, when Boo Ferriss, a legendary gentleman, returned from the Boston Red Sox to take over the Delta State Baseball program. He made a baseball field out the bean field and created a national powerhouse. It all began in 1973 when Delta State decided that women’s basketball should be revived and gave the reins over to Margaret Wade. It includes the 2000 national football title and one of most impressive offensive performances in all of sports history. We’ll be focusing on that accomplishment today since Steve Campbell, who was the head coach of the team, and Mark Hudspeth (who was the offensive coordinator) were inducted into the Hall of Fame Friday night. Many readers will be thinking that those words are too big. They refer to “one of most perfect offensive performances in history.” In fact, Delta State rolled up 36 first-downs and ran 524 yards rushing during its 63-34 win over Bloomsburg (Pa.) State. The Statesmen averaged almost a first down per play with quarterback Josh Bright. The State of Delta scored on nine of the first ten possessions, and ran out the clock on its 11th. Nobody’s perfect. This is precision. Campbell and Hudspeth supervised an option offense that was executed almost flawlessly. The speed of the Statesmen at the skill positions was remarkable, especially considering that they were surrounded by a line of muscular, stout linemen. Most of them had been considered too short to play Division I football. It should be noted that this team had been ranked sixth in the Gulf South Conference pre-season poll. It was the first team in the country. Campbell was an offensive line coach at Delta State before becoming the head coach. Don Skelton hired Campbell as his first full-time position in 1990. Campbell, now 32 years old, recalls being able to tell his 24-year-old self that he was at a special work place. Campbell spoke by phone Wednesday, from Mobile. He said that he knew there was greatness. “You knew the standard. The banners, the pennants, and all the trophies could be seen. Coach Ferriss was still there every day, and his way of doing business was evident throughout the building. His success was not just about the money he earned, it was also the way he conducted his business, his attention to detail, and his way of treating people. Margaret Wade was still alive and you could see all the championship banners when you went to the gym. It was — it was — a special spot.” Many people will read this and say, “Yeah but it’s division II, small stuff.” While it is Division II, it’s not always small stuff. Although the athletes might be a bit shorter or lighter than they used to be, they still can compete. Take a look at the past. Ferriss’s baseball teams had great success against Ole Miss (Mississippi State), Southern Miss (Southern Miss) and Alabama. Bear Bryant stopped by the Delta State dugout between games of a doubleheader Delta State won against Alabama. Ferriss was told by Bryant, “Boo! We’re going to need to quit playing you” Ferriss responded, “Bear,” to which Ferriss replied, “Bear, if everyone felt that way you wouldn’t be able find anybody who would take you on.” Wade’s Lady Statesmen regularly defeated national powerhouses. LSU was her last championship win. In 1990, Delta State faced Southern Miss in football. They had a chance at winning in the fourth quarter but USM won late to keep the 12-0 win. Alabama was defeated by Southern Miss the week after. The 2007 Jackson State football team, which won the SWAC championship, lost to Delta State by two touchdowns. Gerald Glass led Delta State to victory in men’s basketball over Mississippi State, and advanced to the Division II Final Four. He then transferred to Ole Miss to become one of the most important players in Rebel basketball history. In many ways, it’s still true today. Hunter Riggins, a pitcher, had a record of 9-4 and a 2.97 earned run average for Delta State in 2021. Riggins, a Southern Miss graduate transfer, has a 3-2 record with a 2.71 ERA in 2022. Although the Division I level of play is higher, Riggins’ record is still impressive at 2.71 ERA. The Gulf South Conference is the Southeastern Conference for Division II athletics. Jeremy McClain, who now directs Southern Miss athletics was once the director of Delta State. He was the most successful pitcher in Delta State history. McClain was recently asked about the history of Delta State athletics. McClain stated, “Well, number 1, look at the coaches who have been through that.” “Just incredible — Coach Ferriss and Bill Marchant in baseball, and Mike Kinnison and Mike Kinnison respectively in women’s basketball, and Horace McCool and Red Parker in football. It’s quite amazing. You have some great athletes in the Delta region. The Mississippi junior college system has been a huge resource for recruiting in all of the sports at Delta State. “It’s special, always has been.” The 2022 Delta State Athletics Hall of Fame induction will take place Friday at 7 p.m. at Grammy Museum. Due to COVID delays the class of 2022 and 2020 will also be inducted. The class of 2020 includes Jennifer Artichuk Beckert, Michael Eubanks (swimming & diving), Nicole Trotter France (women’s basketball), Lardester Higs Green (football), Mark Hudspeth(football coach), Edwin Maysonet (“baseball”), Clyde Muse (“men’s basketball”) and Jeremy Richardson (“men’s basketball”). The 2022 Class includes Bobby Barrett (football), Steve Campbell, Dusty Hughes (baseball), Josh Melton(baseball), Chico Potts (“men’s basketball”) and Tanya Redmond (“women’s basketball”).