Today in MSU history: Dudy Noble was born

On this day in 1893, a Mississippi State LEGACY was born.  A man who was the face of our university for 45 years, starting back in the Mississippi A&M days.  Clark Randolph Noble.  You may know him as "Dudy."

Here are some things you should know about the namesake of our baseball field:

- Noble was a star QB at Miss. A&M and lettered 14 times in football, baseball, basketball, and track.

- The 1915 and 1916 Reveille described him as "the fastest man in the South" and hailed his QB play.

- In a highly-anticipated game against ole miss in 1915 (the schools hadn't played since 1911), the senior Noble led A&M to a 65-0 victory.

- At basketball, Noble is one of 3 players in State history to compile an 8-0 record against ole miss (1913-1915)

- Immediately after graduation, Noble became coach of Mississippi College and upset Mississippi A&M, 6-13, in his first game as coach.

- From 1917-1919, he coached football at ole miss, compiling an 0-3 record against his alma mater.

- In 1919, he returned home to Starkville to coach baseball, where he won the SIAA (Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Assoc.) Championship in 1921, 1922, and 1924.

- He awarded Dave "Boo" Ferris the first full baseball scholarship in Mississippi history.

- In 1949, Mississippi State's baseball field - then on the site of the current Junction - was named Dudy Noble Field.

- As Athletic Director, he was responsible for hiring Allyn McKeen, Babe McCarthy, Paul Gregory, and Jack Cristil.

- A Tennessee reporter once asked him about his time spent in oxford. He replied, "I already know what hell is like. I once coached at ole miss."

- He once owned a lazy mutt dog who refused to hunt. He named him "Mr. Ole Miss."

- From 96 of the 100years between 1911-2011, Mississippi A&M/State was represented by either Dudy Noble or Jack Cristil.

So when you come out to The Dude this weekend to watch us play Tennessee, think about Clark Randolph and the foundation he laid at Mississippi A&M.  For as much as honor and respect as we have for Jack Cristil, Dudy Noble commanded the same from generations of Bulldogs in the first half of the 20th century.