Cohen has told USM athletics department that he will no longer schedule series with USM where games are played on the two campuses. He has said he will play one game in Pearl. Also, MSU baseball signee James McMahon from Oak Grove decided to not attend MSU and enrolled at USM as a walk on. No opinion on this, just passing along the news.
Cohen drops home and home series with USM....
- Thread starter Orpheus
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Cohen has told USM athletics department that he will no longer schedule series with USM where games are played on the two campuses. He has said he will play one game in Pearl. Also, MSU baseball signee James McMahon from Oak Grove decided to not attend MSU and enrolled at USM as a walk on. No opinion on this, just passing along the news.
about us dropping the home and home series with USM in baseball.
I've been to games at both campuses between the two, and they were usually pretty fun to go to. Kind of inconvenient because they were in the middle of the week.
I'm all for watering down the schedule for sure, but not at the expense of the USM series.
I am glad that we are continuing to play USM in Trustmark.
As far as Jamie McMahon, I'm kind of surprised that he is turning down a scholarship opportunity to walk-on because even if he got cut from MSU, he could still walk-on at USM at any time. I wish him well. Hopefully we'll hold onto our guys that got drafted and he will be our only loss in the coming days.
I've been to games at both campuses between the two, and they were usually pretty fun to go to. Kind of inconvenient because they were in the middle of the week.
I'm all for watering down the schedule for sure, but not at the expense of the USM series.
I am glad that we are continuing to play USM in Trustmark.
As far as Jamie McMahon, I'm kind of surprised that he is turning down a scholarship opportunity to walk-on because even if he got cut from MSU, he could still walk-on at USM at any time. I wish him well. Hopefully we'll hold onto our guys that got drafted and he will be our only loss in the coming days.
It is Cohen's program. He certainly can schedule as he sees is best for MSU. The games are fun, but USM baseball is at the point it won't have any affect on it. As for McMahon, I don't think he is a big loss for MSU. I doubt he ever sees the field at USM.Todd4State said:
i am glad that cohen did this. I am here in hattiesburg, and it is convenient for me to go the games here, but with the way that they treat us, 17 them. The park is ****** when there is a big crowd. If you don't get there really early and get a bleacher seat, you can't see b/c they won't let you stand anywhere that you can see. I'm also still pissed about them trying to arrest Polk (we can arrest him, but they can't). That was the biggest bushleague **** i've ever seen. As far as McMahan, I was told that he comes from an MSU family (with money). I was under the impression that he would be paying his own way. Also, I never heard him mentioned as being the type pitcher that you would expect to make a difference. I never heard anyone talking about him and that is a pretty good indicator of how gooda player is. SEC type pitchers are talked about.
are good for baseball in the state of Mississippi. I feel the same way about USM and Ole Miss in baseball. I think that's the big loss- for the fans.
How much does it affect USM? I'm sure it will some- I know that was a big draw, and probably a bigger draw than whoever USM schedules to replace MSU, unless it is Ole Miss again, if you want to play them about four times a year. That has to hurt a little bit from a financial standpoint. Will it cause USM baseball to go bellyup? Absolutely not, but I'm not sure that it can be considered a non-factor. It will also affect RPI and SOS a hair. And yes, I am aware that USM draws very well for a college baseball program- I think they're a top 10-15 team at least every year.
I do agree- Cohen has to do what he thinks is best. I really think there is a strong possibilty that we could be playing a LOT of freshmen next year. And that's tough living in the SEC. They're going to need games where they can regain confidence, and I think Cohen realizes that he needs to win. Ironically, we've won both games against USM on campus the past two years and lost the two in Jackson. USM is a quality team, no doubt about it, and behind Ole Miss in the Gov Cup, they're probably our toughest non-conference opponent, especially when you consider that the game is technically at a neutral site.
Honestly, in my opinion, I think we could find a way to water down our schedule and keep the series going. I mean, Ole Miss, and two games against USM and then about 23 cupcakes? I think Pete Boone would sign off on that.
As far as Jamie McMahon, I saw him play in the Crossroads All-Star Game, and of all of our signees there, he was by far the least impressive. I did not see him pitch, but I do know that his velocity had dropped between his junior and senior years per word of mouth. He did play third base when I saw him, and he made a couple of errors. And he was one of the pitching signees that I questioned. He did break his collarbone a couple of times playing QB, but I think it was his non-throwing arm. If he makes USM's team, I think he could be a decent relief pitcher. Like I said I wish him well.
How much does it affect USM? I'm sure it will some- I know that was a big draw, and probably a bigger draw than whoever USM schedules to replace MSU, unless it is Ole Miss again, if you want to play them about four times a year. That has to hurt a little bit from a financial standpoint. Will it cause USM baseball to go bellyup? Absolutely not, but I'm not sure that it can be considered a non-factor. It will also affect RPI and SOS a hair. And yes, I am aware that USM draws very well for a college baseball program- I think they're a top 10-15 team at least every year.
I do agree- Cohen has to do what he thinks is best. I really think there is a strong possibilty that we could be playing a LOT of freshmen next year. And that's tough living in the SEC. They're going to need games where they can regain confidence, and I think Cohen realizes that he needs to win. Ironically, we've won both games against USM on campus the past two years and lost the two in Jackson. USM is a quality team, no doubt about it, and behind Ole Miss in the Gov Cup, they're probably our toughest non-conference opponent, especially when you consider that the game is technically at a neutral site.
Honestly, in my opinion, I think we could find a way to water down our schedule and keep the series going. I mean, Ole Miss, and two games against USM and then about 23 cupcakes? I think Pete Boone would sign off on that.
As far as Jamie McMahon, I saw him play in the Crossroads All-Star Game, and of all of our signees there, he was by far the least impressive. I did not see him pitch, but I do know that his velocity had dropped between his junior and senior years per word of mouth. He did play third base when I saw him, and he made a couple of errors. And he was one of the pitching signees that I questioned. He did break his collarbone a couple of times playing QB, but I think it was his non-throwing arm. If he makes USM's team, I think he could be a decent relief pitcher. Like I said I wish him well.
And I only thought that would be the most entertaining part of the 2008 season.
That is hard to look past. My experience at USM- State got down like 12-0 in the first inning, and then State scored 20 unanswered runs. Brad Jones hit three home runs. Never seen anything like it before. I remember going down there another time and State lost, and there was some USM fan in a truck driving around waving a big Confederate flag.
That was the only night I was glad that we had Brad Jones over Stephen Head.
That is hard to look past. My experience at USM- State got down like 12-0 in the first inning, and then State scored 20 unanswered runs. Brad Jones hit three home runs. Never seen anything like it before. I remember going down there another time and State lost, and there was some USM fan in a truck driving around waving a big Confederate flag.
That was the only night I was glad that we had Brad Jones over Stephen Head.
arguing for the second night in a row and a female cop came out on the field and tried to take him off of the field.Would have been funny if it hadn't been so pathetic. Southern has a huge "short dick" complex when it comes to the bulldogs and rebels.
Polk argued a call at first base- no big deal, happened a million times- and while he was argueing with said umpire, a female USM rent-a-cop goes out to the field and escorts him off of the field. That's pretty much the gist of it.
Needless to say, the potential arrest pissed Polk off, in a rare moment of clarity between demented states that year, he told the police officer "well, if you're going to arrest me, go ahead" and held his hands out to her. She did nothing, but they did escort him off the field, I do not believe he was in handcuffs.
The USM rent-a-cop reasoning was that he was out there "an extra long time and would not leave". Nevermind that manager/ umpire arguements go on occasionally at all levels of baseball. It was just a run of the mill arguement, until the police got involved.
Needless to say, the potential arrest pissed Polk off, in a rare moment of clarity between demented states that year, he told the police officer "well, if you're going to arrest me, go ahead" and held his hands out to her. She did nothing, but they did escort him off the field, I do not believe he was in handcuffs.
The USM rent-a-cop reasoning was that he was out there "an extra long time and would not leave". Nevermind that manager/ umpire arguements go on occasionally at all levels of baseball. It was just a run of the mill arguement, until the police got involved.
Orpheus said:
You'll just charge Ole Miss fans 30 bucks to make up for the deficit. (That's funny if you've ever been to a MSU/USM baseball game in Hattiesburg- they jack the price of the tickets WAY up. Can't blame them though)
we are good and bring the fans. I'm just of the opinion that if they are going to charge twice as much for our ticket and keep letting people in, then you better let people stand where they can see the damn game. And if you don't think this doesn't hurt usm's budget, you better think again. When we are good, they not only bring in alot of State fans, but they bring in many many casual baseball fans (many highschool kids) to see a team with a little bit of stroke.
that incident actually almost ended the series then.
I can't remember if Corky Palmer apologized to Polk or something and smoothed things over or what happened. But, I don't think Palmer was real happy about it.
Heck, it may have actually ended the series, and we were just waiting on the contract to expire instead of buying the game out.
Maybe Gene will interview Tyler Bratton about the schedule aGAIN and straighten that out for us.
I can't remember if Corky Palmer apologized to Polk or something and smoothed things over or what happened. But, I don't think Palmer was real happy about it.
Heck, it may have actually ended the series, and we were just waiting on the contract to expire instead of buying the game out.
Maybe Gene will interview Tyler Bratton about the schedule aGAIN and straighten that out for us.
Todd4State said:
The rent-a-cop decided to go make him leave on her own. Corky just about crapped his pants he was so mad about it. He said he figured that would eventually cost us the series in Hattiesburg.
but you do realize they have hada top 20 attendancefor a while now. i can at least admit when they are doing something well that doesn't need MSU to make it happen. also, seeing a team with a little bit of stroke? c'mon man, you also realize they were in the CWS just two years ago? you sound like a major homer at the moment.
Cohen was pissed last year at how Lane Burroughs was treated during the game
USM fans stood alongside the dugout and right behind the coaches box and pretty much called Lane every name in the book and then called his wife every name in the book and then some...our people asked for security help from the Southern Miss administration and got none
Cohen was ready to go pulic and rip USM a new one; however, the powers that be said don't make any type of scene that will jeopardize the football series
The team then bussed from Hattiesburg to Baton Rouge for the LSU series
While on the bus, Cohen called Ninja Jr, Nemeth and a couple of others...he told them that he would never ever play another game on that field ever again
As far as the potential Polk arrest, yes Corky Palmer got that all smoothed out because he and Polk were tight....pretty much everybody at USM from Palmer to Giannani apologized to both MSU brass in general and Polk in particular...that is what saved the series then
USM fans stood alongside the dugout and right behind the coaches box and pretty much called Lane every name in the book and then called his wife every name in the book and then some...our people asked for security help from the Southern Miss administration and got none
Cohen was ready to go pulic and rip USM a new one; however, the powers that be said don't make any type of scene that will jeopardize the football series
The team then bussed from Hattiesburg to Baton Rouge for the LSU series
While on the bus, Cohen called Ninja Jr, Nemeth and a couple of others...he told them that he would never ever play another game on that field ever again
As far as the potential Polk arrest, yes Corky Palmer got that all smoothed out because he and Polk were tight....pretty much everybody at USM from Palmer to Giannani apologized to both MSU brass in general and Polk in particular...that is what saved the series then
the part about the revenue wasn't directed at you. And the part about having stroke, I have been going to games there for years and I remember when State would bring consistent top 10 teams into their stadium. It was always a good atmosphere and there were alot of people there who would rarely go to a usm baseball game if State wasn't there. As far as them getting to omaha, being surrounded by them, they admitted that it was a freak occurence. That isn't meant as a slam, but I heard over and over again their fanssay that it would probably be the only time they made it.
Keenum must really want that series for some reason.
Good stuff as always Paper.
USM will be fine but they needed us playing a home a home with them more than we needed it.
Facts of the matter are...we fill their stadium up every time. Our game is always the highest attended game at the Pete every year it is played there.* (Except once when LSU played there in '08)
Good stuff as always Paper.
USM will be fine but they needed us playing a home a home with them more than we needed it.
Facts of the matter are...we fill their stadium up every time. Our game is always the highest attended game at the Pete every year it is played there.* (Except once when LSU played there in '08)
for a while especially from the fan perspective. USM baseball fans when we've been down there lately have gotten VERY obnoxious especially over the last few years where their program has been on par and even better than ours. And the fact that the USM officials have done nothing to help with things (added to the Polk incident already mentioned) and I believe it likely got to the point where Cohen and our admin felt it wasn't worth it to us anymore. For now we probably DO need to lighten the OOC schedule as much as we can anyway until we show our program can compete in the SEC again. Having them as an opponent in Starkville doesn't really mean anything to our ticket sales anyway whereas MSU is probably the biggest draw in Hattiesburg.
a couple of years ago when the USM fans were calling Polk a homo or something, and he got pissed and didn't go back out and sent Raffo out to coach third base.
I've actually sat in those bleachers, and while there was a lot of heckling, it wasn't across the line. I wasn't at either game where those two incidents occurred though.
I can understand why Cohen would be pissed if they asked for security to handle the situation and they didn't.
I've actually sat in those bleachers, and while there was a lot of heckling, it wasn't across the line. I wasn't at either game where those two incidents occurred though.
I can understand why Cohen would be pissed if they asked for security to handle the situation and they didn't.
I'm just curious, were you in attendance? Did they rib him, yes, but no derogatory comments were made towards him or his wife. If Cohen had such a problem, why did he not go public? In my opinion I could care less if we play the games but I do think it was good for the state of Mississippi.
As a Southern Miss fan, if any of that were true I would be embarassed and furious. Although, we do engage in some friendly banter wewouldn't harass someone to that extent.
cohen offered this kid when he was a junior in high school (family big MSU folks) kid was thrilled to death so he did not pursue other offers and at the last minute Cohen called him in to tell him that he was pulling his scholly to give to a player that was "less fortunate" than his family ( sounds like our president- spread the wealth- but I digress). Cohen messed all over this kid- it was on the local news in Hattiesburg- it was NOT an amicable split as the Clarion Ledger implied
It s The Talons said:
What would be the point? Just stop playing the series, and let that be it. That actually hurts USM more than trying to slam them in the press, anyway.
College baseball recruiting has changed and he still has an option to play ball at USM. Not such a horrible situation for him. There are a lot of guys paying their way to many colleges to play baseball. It's not like McMahon was getting a 75% scholarship. It was probably books and 10% or so.
CliffClavin said:
that McMahon was or was not messed over- I don't doubt that he was- I will refute that he would have gotten a lot of other offers, unless you consider Delta State or William Carey high quality offers. Scott Weathersby was/is a much better prospect than McMahon on the Oak Grove team.
This is a case of a MSU fan getting an offer from MSU- and one that was probably undeserved. No doubt he took it. And if he had a lot of other offers, he either: A. Probably would have gotten one from MSU anyway. B. If he really wanted to go to MSU, he probably would have waited anyway, and that could have very well screwed him over as well because other teams could have very well filled up their scholarship slots while he was waiting.
These types of splits are rarely amiacable. I think it's the family taking the high road. In light of the Chris Garrett situation, they should all be commended for that. Without any knowledge of what really went on, it probably went something like "Well, Cohen wants to take my scholarship now, my odds of making the team probably are not good." McMahon is doing what he feels is best for him, and that's understandable. If he believes that he can not make the team, odds are he won't. But, as I have said, I wish him well and hope it works out for him at USM.
I daresay that a few years ago, McMahon would have been more likely to stay because he would have been able to keep his book scholarship, and odds are Cohen would let him stay on the team without roster limits.
Rules on scholarships (how many and how much) changed a couple years back along with roster size.
You have to give a 25% scholarship to any player receiving a baseball scholarship.
The creation of the new riles lead to part of Polk's ranting
"They're giving us chump change, and now they're telling us how to spend the chump change," Polk said.
The new NCAA Rules
"A<font><font style="font-size: 10.5pt;" color="#211443" face="Tahoma"> scholarship must now be equivalent
to at least 25% of tuition and fees, books, and room and board. In other
words, a 1/4 scholarship is now the smallest that is allowed"
"</font></font><font><font style="font-size: 10.5pt;" color="#211443" face="Tahoma">The NCAA has also specified that only 27 players may receive scholarship aid"
</font></font>
You have to give a 25% scholarship to any player receiving a baseball scholarship.
The creation of the new riles lead to part of Polk's ranting
"They're giving us chump change, and now they're telling us how to spend the chump change," Polk said.
The new NCAA Rules
"A<font><font style="font-size: 10.5pt;" color="#211443" face="Tahoma"> scholarship must now be equivalent
to at least 25% of tuition and fees, books, and room and board. In other
words, a 1/4 scholarship is now the smallest that is allowed"
"</font></font><font><font style="font-size: 10.5pt;" color="#211443" face="Tahoma">The NCAA has also specified that only 27 players may receive scholarship aid"
</font></font>
I was at the game, I heard the comments with my own two ears. They called the guy a "wife beater" among several other very nasty things that should never be said to a player or coach.
right now at MSU are justified. Cohen has already had 2 losing seasons at MSU so right now he has one priority, WIN and win pretty quickly. Its become fairly obvious that this guy was not really SEC caliber so while it would have been better if Cohen had never offered anything in the first place right now our program can't afford just to carry guys on the roster even with the minimum scholarship that likely will never contribute.
this is the problem that we are going to have with the way the ncaa runs baseball these days. And the southern baseball supporters are spouting off about cohen "lying" to kids in this area and all kinds of other crap to cast him in a bad light in this area. Of course lsu and the other hope schools sign big classes every year, but the typical uninformed southern fan doesn't know or understand this. Like it or not, college baseball has basically turned into a tryout each year. I imagine though that once we get back on solid footing talent wise, Cohen won't sign quite as many each year. But until then, we have to sign alot and weed out the ones that don't pan out. Blame the ncaa not Cohen.