For thousands of Mississippians, community college football is a local tradition. Since the state passed a law to establish community colleges in 1922, these football programs have been giving rural residents a team to support.

Dennis S. Nordin, Ph.D., a retired history professor from Mississippi State University and AARP Executive Council member, recently published, Mississippi Community College Football, 1922-2009 The Best-Kept Secret of Collegiate Athletics. In it, he chronicles the history of community college football in Mississippi.

The book describes how the 14 community colleges built their programs and details the rivalries over the years. It also offers information about coaches and players who helped build the teams.

“I’ve enjoyed going to community college football games in my area and throughout the state,” Nordin said. “Furthermore, community colleges are important to the rural communities that surround them. I thought this would be an interesting story to research and tell.”

Nordin writes: “Going to Thursday night games and attending homecoming contests on Saturday afternoons have become family events. Low-priced admissions and inexpensive refreshments allow working parents to participate with their children as loyal supporters of football programs from Summit to Booneville and from Perkinston to Senatobia. Everyone from within a community college district, black or white, rich or poor, young or old, has found that watching and cheering on the local team is a most enjoyable pastime and a galvanizer of community spirit.”

To obtain a copy of the book, send an email to st8bulldog@hotmail.com.