Traditions | Mississippi State University Campus Culture & Student Life

Mississippi State
Traditions

There's Something About This Place

Mississippi State University's traditions aren't just events on a calendar — they're the heartbeat of the Bulldog community. From the unmistakable ring of a cowbell on game day to the electric energy of Bulldog Bash, these are the moments that turn first-year students into Bulldogs for life. No matter where you come from, MSU's traditions have a way of making you feel like you've always belonged here.

Come experience it for yourself. You'll understand the moment you arrive.

Where Memories Are Made and Bulldogs Are Born

Close your eyes and imagine it — the crisp air rolling across the Drill Field, the sound of cowbells echoing through campus, and thousands of Bulldogs dressed in maroon and white moving together toward something bigger than any one of them. That feeling has a name. It's Mississippi State. For over 130 years, students have arrived at MSU as strangers and left as family, carrying with them a collection of moments — first game day, evenings in the Cotton District, the bass drop at Bulldog Bash, a professor who changed everything — that no diploma can fully capture. These traditions aren't handed to you when you get here. You earn them, live them, and eventually pass them on to the Bulldogs who come after you. That's what makes Mississippi State different. That's what makes it yours. And one day soon, when someone asks you what college was really like, you won't just tell them about a school. You'll tell them about a place that felt like home before you even finished moving in.

The school spirit here is real, and it's rooted in traditions you'll notice right away. Maroon Fridays, cowbells, bulldogs everywhere you look, and weekly athletic events are just part of life at Mississippi State. We're also pretty proud of the fact that we hold the top 25 spots for most attended baseball games in the NCAA.

— Tyler Haskovec

Building Construction Science, Florence, AL

MSU Traditions

The Junction

The Junction is the heart of Bulldog tailgating and one of the oldest tailgating traditions in the entire SEC. On game days, thousands of Bulldogs gather between the buildings of the MSU campus to share food, music, and that unmistakable Bulldog spirit. There's no better place to feel what it means to be part of this community.

Hail State Fight Song

Hail State was penned as the Mississippi State fight song in the 1930s.

The Drill Field

Located at the center of the MSU Campus, the Drill Field is a popular gathering place for students.

Maroon & White

The Maroon and White tradition dates back over a century to the very first football game ever played by MSU student-athletes on November 15, 1895. For more than 125 years, these colors have represented Bulldog pride, loyalty, and a community that never stops cheering for each other.

Bulldog Bash

Bulldog Bash: the largest free outdoor concert event in the State of Mississippi

Cowbell

The cowbell is the ultimate symbol of Mississippi State pride and one of the most recognizable traditions in all of college sports. MSU fans are known across the country for their cowbells, and on game day, the sound is something you simply have to experience. Once you pick one up, you'll never put it down.

Homecoming

Homecoming is a Southern family reunion wrapped in maroon and white!

Dak - Bully XXII

The official mascot of Mississippi State University is an English Bulldog.

Dawg Days

Dawg Days is the official welcome experience for new MSU freshmen and transfer students — an exciting collection of activities and events designed to help you find your people, learn your campus, and start building the friendships that will define your time here. It's where your Bulldog story begins.

Cowbell Yell

The Cowbell Yell pep rally kicks off football season with a clang — and sets the tone for everything that follows. It's loud, it's electric, and it's one of the first traditions new Bulldogs get to experience as part of the MSU family. Once you've been, you'll be counting down to next year's.

Super Bulldog Weekend

Super Bulldog Weekend is an MSU sports fan's paradise — a spring celebration that brings together multiple Bulldog athletic events across one action-packed weekend. It's one of the best weekends of the year to be on campus and a fan favorite for students and families alike.

Maroon Fridays

Every Friday is a chance to show your Bulldog pride. Maroon Fridays is the simple but powerful tradition of wearing maroon across campus — connecting every student, faculty member, and staff into one community united by color. It's a small act that carries a lot of meaning.

MSU Cheese

MSU Cheese is one of our tastiest traditions — and one that surprises just about every new student. Mississippi State's own Creamery has been producing award-winning cheese on campus for decades, making it a uniquely MSU experience you won't find anywhere else in the SEC.

Bully Mascot

Bully is the official mascot of MSU. He can be found cheering on the Bulldogs all across campus!

Frequently Asked Questions

What traditions are Mississippi State University known for? 

Mississippi State is known for several iconic traditions, including the cowbell — one of the most recognizable symbols in college sports — tailgating in the Junction, one of the SEC's oldest tailgating traditions, Bulldog Bash, one of the largest free concerts in Mississippi, Dawg Days, Maroon Fridays, and Homecoming. Together, these traditions form the foundation of a campus culture built on community, pride, and belonging.

What is the cowbell tradition at Mississippi State? 

The cowbell is Mississippi State's most iconic symbol of school spirit. MSU fans bring cowbells to games and ring them to cheer on the Bulldogs, creating one of the loudest and most unique atmospheres in college sports. The tradition has been a part of MSU culture for decades and is recognized across the country as a defining symbol of Bulldog pride.

What is tailgating in the Junction at MSU? 

Tailgating in the Junction is a Mississippi State game day tradition. On home football game days, thousands of Bulldogs gather in the open spaces between campus buildings — known as the Junction — for food, music, and community. It's a true Mississippi State experience and a highlight of every football season.

What is Bulldog Bash at Mississippi State? 

Bulldog Bash is one of the largest free concert events in the state of Mississippi, held each fall on the MSU campus or in Starkville. The event features nationally recognized musical artists and is completely free for MSU students. It's one of the most anticipated events of the academic year and a beloved part of Bulldog culture.

What is Dawg Days at Mississippi State? 

Dawg Days is one of Mississippi State's welcome experiences for incoming freshmen and transfer students. It includes a series of activities, events, and campus experiences designed to help new students find their community, get familiar with campus, and start building the friendships and connections that define the MSU experience.

What is the Drill Field at Mississippi State? 

The Drill Field is the central green space at the heart of the MSU campus and one of the most iconic spots at Mississippi State. It serves as a gathering place for students throughout the day and is the home of major campus events, celebrations, and traditions. For many Bulldogs, the Drill Field is where their most meaningful college memories are made.

What are Maroon Fridays at MSU? 

Maroon Fridays are the MSU tradition of wearing maroon every Friday to show Bulldog pride and school spirit. Students, faculty, staff, and community members all participate, turning every Friday into a visible reminder of the community and connection that defines Mississippi State.

What is Super Bulldog Weekend at Mississippi State? 

Super Bulldog Weekend is an annual spring celebration at MSU that features multiple Bulldog athletic events across one weekend, bringing together students, alumni, and fans for a packed schedule of competition and campus community. It's one of the most exciting weekends of the spring semester and a highlight of the MSU athletic calendar.

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