I want to single out this specific paragraph from Selmon's letter...

[dawgstudent]

Our fundraising has far outpaced previous years. In the month of December, we had more than 40 major gift commitments. For context, Mississippi State Athletics usually averages around 60 major gifts per year. To receive 40 in one month alone shows the growing enthusiasm we're seeing from Bulldogs who are stepping up and taking part in our long-term vision. In just this six-month period alone, we are on track to more than double the number of seven-figure gifts that have ever been received by Mississippi State Athletics in a single year.

That's pretty good.

Our Path To New Heights | By Zac Selmon - Mississippi State

 

[dickiedawg]

I get the feeling he won’t be around much longer.

 

[Leeshouldveflanked]

I get the feeling he won’t be around much longer.

Selmon is building his Resume

 

[Shmuley]

Our fundraising has far outpaced previous years. In the month of December, we had more than 40 major gift commitments. For context, Mississippi State Athletics usually averages around 60 major gifts per year. To receive 40 in one month alone shows the growing enthusiasm we're seeing from Bulldogs who are stepping up and taking part in our long-term vision. In just this six-month period alone, we are on track to more than double the number of seven-figure gifts that have ever been received by Mississippi State Athletics in a single year.

That's pretty good.

Our Path To New Heights | By Zac Selmon - Mississippi State

He compares “… 40 major gift commitments …” in December with a reported annual average of 60 “… major gifts per year.”

Words matter, Zac. Define “major.” And explain what “gift commitment” means?

Zac is feeling some heat.

 

[Bullldawg78]

I get the feeling he won’t be around much longer.

We could only be so lucky

 

[Maroon Eagle]

Words matter, Zac. Define “major.” And explain what “gift commitment” means?

I hope not to see any news about Ole Miss performing a Flipmas on a MSU “gift commitment.” **

 

[HotMop]

We could only be so lucky

I'm all for him fluffing up his resume.

 

[Dawgbite]

They really don't miss me !

 

[The Cooterpoot]

We could only be so lucky

Some of you fools would piss on Jesus Christ himself

 

[MSTerritoryDog]

He compares “… 40 major gift commitments …” in December with a reported annual average of 60 “… major gifts per year.”

Words matter, Zac. Define “major.” And explain what “gift commitment” means?

Zac is feeling some heat.

BINGO! Words matter here and to the untrained eye it seems like he is comparing apples to apples, but comparing major gift commitments to major gifts received is like comparing apples and chainsaws. Heck, comparing the # of major gifts from year to year is like apples and oranges. Do you think Oregon would trade their donor Phil Knight for our 60 major donors? Probably not.

This is a sunshine pumping paragraph until it says something like. “ we received 75% more donations dollars in 2024 than we did in 2023…

don’t get me wrong, commitments are necessary and it’s a great measuring stick. Just remember roughly half of marriages end in divorce… those too were commitments

 

[HailStout]

So, to be clear, some of you consider this to be bad news?

 

[Dawgg]

All I see is 3 wins.

 

[DesotoCountyDawg]

So, to be clear, some of you consider this to be bad news?

Are you surprised?

 

[MSUDOG24]

So, to be clear, some of you consider this to be bad news?

Tough crowd for sure.

 

[T-TownDawgg]

“Boss, we’re gonna double the number of 7-figure gifts this year!!! Perhaps that can be the welcomed salve that mends the wounds of our embattled football and baseball fans…”

“Perhaps. Increase the Bulldog Club dues immediately.”

 

[MSTerritoryDog]

So, to be clear, some of you consider this to be bad news?

No, I think it’s good news. It’s just hard to quantify its goodness without real $ figures

 

[Shmuley]

So, to be clear, some of you consider this to be bad news?

Just non-newsworthy.

 

[T-TownDawgg]

I think Athletic Directors should be compensated based solely on mandatory performance surveys included with your Bulldog Club renewals.

 

[dickiedawg]

This is a sunshine pumping paragraph until it says something like. “ we received 75% more donations dollars in 2024 than we did in 2023…

It’s a 17ing PRESS RELEASE

 

[The Cooterpoot]

I'm more pissed Lemonis is getting a restaurant at the baseball field. We'll need to buy bigger buckets!

 

[Jeffreauxdawg]

I'd like to donate a k or an h to Selmon's first name.

 

[TXDawg.sixpack]

He compares “… 40 major gift commitments …” in December with a reported annual average of 60 “… major gifts per year.”

Words matter, Zac. Define “major.” And explain what “gift commitment” means?

Zac is feeling some heat.

He literally says "seven figure gifts". I'd say that's pretty major.

 

[MSTerritoryDog]

I'd like to donate a k or an h to Selmon's first name.

How many years will it take for you to fulfill this donation, or will this be Will’d through your estate? If the latter, how young a fella, or gal, are ya? He probably wants to know how long he’ll have to wait.

 

[Shmuley]

He literally says "seven figure gifts". I'd say that's pretty major.

Read carefully. Or, re-read carefully. Whichever applies. See if you can determine from his statement how many "7 figure gifts" have been received within the past.6 months?

I'm still waiting to read the definition for "gift commitments."

Just so you know, I'm paid lots of money to write $h!+ every day for clients that is just as vague and dissembling and obfuscative.

 

[birdawg]

Does it even matter if we keep repeatedly hiring first time coaches at every position and paying them like they're Nick freaking Saban?

 

[Yeti]

You want to know how much money was given? You want to define substantial? Then give a substantial gift and you too can be in the know.

 

[DesotoCountyDawg]

He literally says "seven figure gifts". I'd say that's pretty major.

He doesn’t specify how many. He said “double”. Two to four or three to six.

 

[Xenomorph]

Two things can be true at once. Yes, it’s good to see substantial donor involvement. Yes, if you parse words that is a carefully phrased statement.

 

[aTotal360]

If he can’t build a winning football program, he’ll be here for a while.

 

[ezsoil]

He compares “… 40 major gift commitments …” in December with a reported annual average of 60 “… major gifts per year.”

Words matter, Zac. Define “major.” And explain what “gift commitment” means?

Zac is feeling some heat.

I can tell you in my case, the previous AD and I had a "handshake" and it was reflected in my dog tag under my pledges ....with Selmon ..they did a contract stating what each side would do.

 

[retire the banner]

So, to be clear, some of you consider this to be bad news?

This place is a 24/7 b i t c h fest

 

[bully12]

Some of you fools would piss on Jesus Christ himself

THIS!!

 

[ezsoil]

If he can’t build a winning football program, he’ll be here for a while.

that wasn't the case for Bjork

 

[patdog]

Read carefully. Or, re-read carefully. Whichever applies. See if you can determine from his statement how many "7 figure gifts" have been received within the past.6 months?

I'm still waiting to read the definition for "gift commitments."

Just so you know, I'm paid lots of money to write $h!+ every day for clients that is just as vague and dissembling and obfuscative.

I find it interesting that we’re not hearing a peep about major gifts from Mississippi & they’re raising more money than we are. Gift commitments are great. But they’re far from guaranteed. And without more details, it’s hard to judge how good they are. A $2,000,000 commitment over 2 years is better than a $2,000,000 commitment over 20 years.

 

[lazlow]

Our fundraising has far outpaced previous years. In the month of December, we had more than 40 major gift commitments. For context, Mississippi State Athletics usually averages around 60 major gifts per year. To receive 40 in one month alone shows the growing enthusiasm we're seeing from Bulldogs who are stepping up and taking part in our long-term vision. In just this six-month period alone, we are on track to more than double the number of seven-figure gifts that have ever been received by Mississippi State Athletics in a single year.

That's pretty good.

Our Path To New Heights | By Zac Selmon - Mississippi State

Translation..... even with an ethusastic & generous fanbase, Zac can't deliver.

 

[Lucifer Morningstar]

Does it even matter if we keep repeatedly hiring first time coaches at every position and paying them like they're Nick freaking Saban?

It’s a great gig if you can get it.

 

[Faustdog]

It’s a great gig if you can get it.

Exactly who is he paying like they’re Saban? Lebby is sitting at 15th in the conference ahead of only Vandy’s coach, and behind the 14th place coach by two million per season.

Are our coordinators paid top of the league salaries? Not even close.

I get not being happy with football. I don’t get just making **** up in an effort to be even more miserable.

 

[GloryDawg]

Some of you fools would piss on Jesus Christ himself

People piss on Jesus Christ every day.

 

[Fighting Irish.sixpack]

I get the feeling he won’t be around much longer.

Good

 

[Dawghouse]

2 things

1. define major
2. How does this compare to previous years. As someone who has been in the nonprofit world for 10 years, I can say we get a lot of our "major" donations at the end of the year. I can also say we come up with a lot of "creative" wording to increase enthusiasm.

I hope this is a huge increase but to me it sounds like something a politician would come up with.

Either way, thank you to the 40 people who gave 100% more than I did.