New Bulldog AD expected to relate well to student-athletes on campus

STARKVILLE – Multiple times when answering a question at his introductory press conference, the 18th Mississippi State Athletic Director Zac Selmon discussed how important people were in his development.

Whether it was family or being a part of two successful athletic departments at Oklahoma and North Carolina, Selmon has soaked up quite a bit of information during his career.

That's why the administration believed Selmon to be a great fit for the Bulldogs.

“I think my focus during the interview process was how seamlessly Zac's values of family, faith and character align with those of Mississippi State University,” MSU President Mark Keenum said in a statement.

The Bulldogs welcomed Selmon and his family with open arms on Friday during his introductory press conference.

MSU Deputy Athletic Director/SWA & Chief Diversity Officer Ann Carr said it was “fantastic” news bringing Selmon in.

Selmon is a former student-athlete at Wake Forest and as a former student-athlete herself with the Bulldog women's basketball team, she said he will relate well to the Bulldogs on the field and on the courts.

“Young, energetic and he knows sports,” Carr said of her impression of Selmon. “He knows what it's like to be a student-athlete and I think that's always wonderful to have someone who has been in their shoes. I think when the student-athletes understand that we have an athletic director who has actually been in your shoes, I think that's great.”

At Wake Forest, Selmon was a a four-year starter at tight end on the football squad. He was a dean's list scholar and graduated in 2007 with a degree in religion and international studies and also holds 2010 master's degree in education with an emphasis in intercollegiate athletics administration at Oklahoma.

After his time serving under athletic directors like Bubba Cunningham at North Carolina and Joe Castiglione at Oklahoma, plus a strong family background, Carr feels Selmon has the experience necessary to fall right into the MSU athletic director position.

“He has been involved with two past athletic directors who have been able to impart some fantastic knowledge so he has mentors that he can always reach back and have those conversations as well as family,” Carr said. “When you have certain people in your life that you can have a conversation with, they will impart things to you that they may not be able to tell someone else, but they can certainly tell you. I think he has that in his corner.”

Selmon made a good first impression on the coaches that were present on Friday and it seems he has already placed himself right in the middle of the Bulldog culture.

MSU women's tennis coach Daryl Greenan credits Selmon's background, which should be a benefit to the Bulldogs.

“It seems he has a good recent track record in his position,” Greenan said. “As Dr. Keenum would say, he's what we are looking for, seems to match that and fits that bill.”

Even though the time constraints on his time are many, Selmon made sure to stay a few minutes following the press conference to greet as many people as he could.

Carr likes that Selmon will be someone that is willing to talk and listen.

“From what I've heard he is very personable, so that is something great for us,” Carr said. “I always like to see somebody you feel like you can approach. I've always had that in athletic directors and someone I can always go and have a conversation with about things that are going on. I see that in him as well so I'm super excited about the direction that we are going to continue to go at Mississippi State.”