Honoring an SEC Football Pioneer

Honoring an SEC Football Pioneer

²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵPresident Mark E. Keenum presents a cowbell to Sylvester Croom
Photo by Grace Cockrell

February 19, 2024

²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵPresident Mark E. Keenum presents a cowbell to former head football coach Sylvester Croom during MSU’s Black Alumni Weekend 2024. Croom, the first African American head football coach in the Southeastern Conference and at MSU, was honored with the Johnie Cooks Legacy Award. Coaching the Bulldogs for five seasons, Croom was named the SEC Coach of the Year in 2007. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2022. Black Alumni Weekend included several events to bring multiple generations of Bulldogs back to campus. Relive the fun and fellowship of BAW '24 by viewing the official slideshow .