Mississippi Valley State University Athletics

Mississippi Valley State competes in NCAA Division I, meaning this is big-time college athletics with full scholarships and serious competition. About 20% of the 1,326 students are varsity athletes across 11 sports, making athletics a major part of campus life. The Delta Devils play in the Southwestern Athletic Conference, one of the most competitive HBCU conferences in the country. The school awards $1,242,383 in athletic scholarships each year, which helps many students afford college. Football is the crown jewel here, this is where NFL Hall of Famers Jerry Rice and Deacon Jones played before their professional careers. Rice is considered one of the greatest wide receivers in football history, and his legacy still draws attention to the program. For a small rural school, Mississippi Valley State punches well above its weight in producing professional athletes.