...so I could leave the whole kit and aboodle to MSU, but I'd restrict my donations. The lawyers on the page know what "restricted donations" are; they simply bind the recipient to spend it as the donor directs. In return for the gift, I would want the name of Mississippi State athletic teams be returned to "Maroons" and keep Bully as the Mascot.
Here is my list:
1. $300Million to do a either do a makeover of Scott Field or build a new one which is the envy of everyone in the SEC. It should seat at least 80,000. I'd require Greg Byrne to raise funds if my gift is short of what is necessary. I would allow any very significant matching funds to allow a corporate sponsorship or individual(s) who who could have naming rights. I don't need my name attached to anything. I'd want a tracked roof over it which can be kept open, but closed when there is bad weather, either excessive heat (90degrees+) or storms. I'd require MSU natural grass be used for eternity. I'd also require the bathrooms have an "L.T." over the men and women's rooms .
2. I would restrict $50Million to renovate and update the Dude. Greg would have to find matching donations if this is insufficient of what needs to be done. I'd restrict the money to require that the left field lounge be retained forever, but that the left field lounge be tiered with a front row and a second row with ramps to the second tier on both ends. The second row would be 20 feet higher than the existing front row and be constructed of reinforced concrete, with concessions and bathrooms underneath. I'd also require that the vehicles be updated and meet generally accepted safety standards, and locations be auctioned off by the Bulldog Club. I'd demand that seating heights be limited to 20 feet from the surface of Dudy Noble field for the front row and 20 additional feet on the back row to make the total height no more than 45 feet including construction allowances.
3. I would restrict $75Million to update and expand the Hump. Any additional funds would require either corporate sponsorship or matching donations. I'd take off the existing roof and add an arching "tent-like" roof over the current Hump, then add additional seating up to 18,000 plus offices, media rooms, weight training and conditioning space and practice courts alongside under the eaves.
4. I would restrict the use of $75Million to build an indoor multiuse facility to include indoor track and field, and a gymnastics/swimming facility. One major obstacle to being very competitive in track is the lack of an indoor track, so our track team is forbidden to even compete in SEC indoor events. I would want both gymnastics and swimming teams started.
That is $500Million of my $1Billion gift. I would want the remainder of the gift, $500Million, be held in reserve, with excess interest funding student athletes' academic scholarships. Student athletes who graduate from high school with a 3.2 or better average GPA and a 21 on the ACT or higher, would have access to these funds for underfunded sports like <span style="font-weight: bold;">baseball</span>, track and field, tennis, softball, volleyball, soccer and gymnastics. This fund would also be accessible for sports teams travel for overseas play, like a basketball tour in Europe or Australia, with balance between men and womens sports required. For example, if the men go to Sweden and Norway for a tour, the women should also go.
I'd require the fund be managed very conservatively so it would never lose current value in constant dollars. Only excess funds over adjustments for inflation would be available to use for scholarships and travel.
