The following is an unedited open letter to the Southern Miss family from former player Jonathan Massey

Dear Southern Miss Faithful,

As a new season approaches, I find myself getting more and more excited about the possibility of our Golden Eagles getting back to their winning ways. The newness of Conference USA’s complete overhaul has finally worn off; we now know how the “new kids on the block” will fit in with those of us who remained. We finished last season on a positive note by beating UAB 62-27 (that never gets old). And, for the first time since 2011 we will enter the season with the same head coach as the year before (the same can be said at QB as well). What’s not to be excited about!

When I look at our upcoming schedule, one game really stands out – Mississippi State. The in-state rivalry between us and the Bulldogs dates back nearly 50 years. But for the last 20, they’ve chosen not to put us on the schedule. I’m pretty sure our 14-12 series lead had something to do with that. Ole Miss lost 3 of the last 4 games against us and hasn’t played us since, but that’s another story for another day.

The fact that our in-state foes, in the Southeastern Conference, have shied away from the Golden Eagles tells you everything you need to know.

“The most dangerous man is the one with nothing to lose and

everything to gain.”

We’re sort of like Sylvester Stallone in Rocky – a tough, gritty, blue-collared, hard-worker that can take a punch. Southern Miss has been known to not only come out swinging, but land a few, and eventually knock out the Ivan Dragos of the world (Rocky IV).

Do you remember ruining #10 TCU’s BCS hopes in 2003?

Who would’ve imagined the shutout against Alabama in 2000??

How about getting revenge against our former head coach, Curley Hallman, when we defeated LSU in 1994? Or, the 58-14 routing of Florida State ten years prior in ’84?

People have always respected Southern Miss because we’ve never backed down from anyone. Thursday night games, Friday night games… bring ‘em on!

We’d take on ANYONE! ANYWHERE! ANYTIME! I’m proud of what Southern Miss has STOOD for. But, the question we now face is, “What will Southern Miss STAND for?” We’ve always had more heart and a will to win than our opponents; however, we’re now in a time where the Southern Miss tradition has to be re-taught, re-learned and re-established.

We have a great athletic director who has a vision for Southern Miss student-athletes to receive a first-class education, train and compete in first-class facilities, be taught by first-class coaches and play first-class opponents. We have gifted coaches who will not only prepare our student-athletes physically and mentally for competition on the field, but also for life.

For example, Coach Monken made sure that last year’s senior class had a suit for their first job interview. Whether they realize it or not, they’ll have a leg up in a world where first impressions mean everything. We also have talented student-athletes who possess all the God-given ability in the world, and who will excel with a strong work ethic that will sharpen their skills in order to succeed on the field.



See, I’ve talked about what Southern Miss has been in the past, but that’s over and done with. Is it good enough for a Golden Eagle to only have the past to be proud of? We now have to focus on this present

moment and beyond.

The only question marks are you and I.

I want the tradition to live on. Do you?

We have the Eagle Club that helps fund scholarships for student-athletes. There are facility renovations that are needed in Reed Green Coliseum. We need more billboards to create a stronger presence throughout the state (especially in the Starkville and Oxford). But most importantly, there are seats in The Rock that need to be filled each and every home game.

So, I ask you the question,

“What do youwant YOUR Southern Miss to be known for… its History or Tradition?!



Sincerely,

Jonathan “JMass” Massey

P.S. It’s great to be a Golden Eagle! SMTTT!