Football fans in the Magnolia State never can get enough information about their favorite sport.
Starting in early August, a new magazine, “Mississippi Gridiron,” figures to satisfy their needs with an in-depth preview of every high school and college football team in the state.
The new 288-page magazine was produced by Mississippi College graduate Chris Brooks, the former sports information director at his alma mater in Clinton.
“As a lifelong Mississippi resident, I take pride in the fact that our state produces as much football talent as any state in the country per capita,” Brooks says. “I hope to provide a publication that effectively promotes the accomplishments of our coaches and players.”
The magazine will sell for $11.99 and be available statewide at locations like Hibbett Sports and the Campus Book Mart in Starkville, Oxford and Hattiesburg. Stacks of “Mississippi Gridiron” will make the scene at high school football jamborees all over Mississippi in the sweltering heat of August. Tons of small stores and gas stations will carry it.
The magazine is a publication of Venture Sports, Inc., the company owned and operated by Brooks. The Brandon resident poured his time, energy and sweat into the publication the past couple of months. “It was a ton of work, but I’m excited about it,” said the MC alumnus. The Mississippian is also working on a weekly digital version of the magazine that will be released throughout the 2010 season.
Fans who want to check out stories about the MC Choctaws, Mississippi State Bulldogs, Ole Miss Rebels, Southern Miss Golden Eagles, Jackson State Tigers, Madison Central Jaguars, Clinton Arrows, or Pearl Pirates, to name just a few, have a convenient place to go for one-stop shopping.
As sports information director at Mississippi College for eight seasons and three years as a graduate assistant, Brooks got to opportunity to work with several publications that promote football in other states. “Considering the great football tradition in Mississippi, I always wondered why we didn’t have a similar publication,” he said. With pre-season football practices in progress from Southaven to the Gulf Coast, fans will soon catch the latest spin on their teams in “Mississippi Gridiron.”
Brooks stepped down as MC sports information director following the 2009-2010 season to devote full-time to his new venture. “I always felt fortunate to work at an institution like Mississippi College and invest in the lives of young people,” he said.
Under the direction of Chris Brooks, the sports information department at Mississippi College took a giant leap to produce a new website for all Choctaws fans as well as video for all home football and basketball games. He also produced a media guide for eight different MC sports and was the chief photographer at the Christian university’s athletic events. David Nichols serves as the new sports information director at MC after spending four years as an assistant under Brooks.
For more information or questions about “Mississippi Gridiron,” contact Brooks at chrisbrooks@msgridiron.com.