Big announcement today from State. New facility on the way, though details not shared on how much the facility costs or what the gift is from Billy Howard. Here's the full release from State:
Howard Industries, a leading manufacturer of electrical and technology products, has provided the lead naming gift for Mississippi State University's new football indoor practice facility. MSU Director of Athletics Zac Selmon made the announcement today. Pending IHL approval at its June 2025 meeting, the new facility will be named in honor of Billy W. Howard Sr., a beloved alumnus, former student-athlete, and pillar of the MSU community.
This trailblazing philanthropic gift will elevate the Mississippi State football program by providing elite resources and advancing player development within the state-of-the-art indoor practice facility.
Mr. Howard graduated from MSU in just three years with a degree in electrical engineering in 1946. A standout athlete, he excelled in football, basketball and track, lettering in all three sports. Howard made his mark as a football player under head coach Allyn McKeen, where he became the first player in MSU history to play nearly every minute of every game, earning the nickname "Iron Man."
"This donation is a tribute to my family's deep ties to Mississippi State University," Mr. Howard said. "It's an honor to support the football program and to help build a facility that will continue to nurture the next generation of student-athletes. I'm proud to be a part of the Bulldogs' legacy."
"We are so thankful to the Howard Family and Howard Industries for their thoughtful decision to invest in the development of elite talent at Mississippi State," Selmon said. "We know this is a critical time in college football, and we must continue to take steps forward to elevate Mississippi State football. We are thrilled Howard Industries shares this belief with us, but we are even more excited and honored that the new facility will bear the name of Mr. Billy, as he is someone who exemplifies what it means to be a Mississippi State Bulldog. We can't wait to continue to share his story with all who walk through the doors of this facility."
MSU President Dr. Mark E. Keenum said this gift brings an exciting jolt to the critical reinvestment in Mississippi State football.
"Howard Industries plays an integral part in the economic success of the state of Mississippi and that is something that we know firsthand to be deeply important," Keenum said. "We are grateful for their passion and for the generosity they have shown Mississippi State through this lead gift for the indoor practice facility. This transformative gift from Howard Industries, honoring Billy W. Howard Sr., is certainly exciting and a gleaming example of the reinvestment and focus on elevating our football program. It is more important than ever before that we focus our attention on elevating our football program. There have been studies and data published on the correlation between success of a football program and the positive impacts it can have on the college campus and the community – everything from enrollment to brand recognition on a national scale. We are blessed to have tremendous supporters who are taking steps to help us continue to elevate our entire university through their investment."
The Billy W. Howard Sr. Indoor Practice Facility will include a 110,000 square-foot indoor training facility as well as dedicated areas for sports science for enhanced work in injury prevention and recovery. There will also be renovations and expansions of the sports medicine, nutrition, and locker room areas within the current Leo Seal Jr. Football Complex.
The Billy W. Howard Sr. Indoor Practice Facility will be constructed adjacent to the current Leo Seal Jr. Football Complex.
"Words cannot truly express how incredibly grateful we are to Howard Industries and the entire Howard family for making this vision a reality," head football coach Jeff Lebby said. "This new indoor facility will allow us to train more effectively as we compete against the best in the country week in and week out. The development of players, the injury prevention and recovery components and the ability to prepare for Saturdays regardless of the elements outdoors is going to have tremendous impacts on our program. We are grateful for the investment in Mississippi State football and are working tirelessly to make all Bulldog fans proud."
The estimated cost for the indoor practice facility and enhanced support spaces is approximately $60 million. Architects, CDFL and HOK, and facility planners are completing design concepts, with groundbreaking anticipated in 2027. It is expected that the indoor training facility will open in the summer of 2028, with interior renovations to the Leo Seal Jr. Football Complex completing in 2029.
Howard Industries, a leading manufacturer of electrical and technology products, has provided the lead naming gift for Mississippi State University's new football indoor practice facility. MSU Director of Athletics Zac Selmon made the announcement today. Pending IHL approval at its June 2025 meeting, the new facility will be named in honor of Billy W. Howard Sr., a beloved alumnus, former student-athlete, and pillar of the MSU community.
This trailblazing philanthropic gift will elevate the Mississippi State football program by providing elite resources and advancing player development within the state-of-the-art indoor practice facility.
Mr. Howard graduated from MSU in just three years with a degree in electrical engineering in 1946. A standout athlete, he excelled in football, basketball and track, lettering in all three sports. Howard made his mark as a football player under head coach Allyn McKeen, where he became the first player in MSU history to play nearly every minute of every game, earning the nickname "Iron Man."
"This donation is a tribute to my family's deep ties to Mississippi State University," Mr. Howard said. "It's an honor to support the football program and to help build a facility that will continue to nurture the next generation of student-athletes. I'm proud to be a part of the Bulldogs' legacy."
"We are so thankful to the Howard Family and Howard Industries for their thoughtful decision to invest in the development of elite talent at Mississippi State," Selmon said. "We know this is a critical time in college football, and we must continue to take steps forward to elevate Mississippi State football. We are thrilled Howard Industries shares this belief with us, but we are even more excited and honored that the new facility will bear the name of Mr. Billy, as he is someone who exemplifies what it means to be a Mississippi State Bulldog. We can't wait to continue to share his story with all who walk through the doors of this facility."
MSU President Dr. Mark E. Keenum said this gift brings an exciting jolt to the critical reinvestment in Mississippi State football.
"Howard Industries plays an integral part in the economic success of the state of Mississippi and that is something that we know firsthand to be deeply important," Keenum said. "We are grateful for their passion and for the generosity they have shown Mississippi State through this lead gift for the indoor practice facility. This transformative gift from Howard Industries, honoring Billy W. Howard Sr., is certainly exciting and a gleaming example of the reinvestment and focus on elevating our football program. It is more important than ever before that we focus our attention on elevating our football program. There have been studies and data published on the correlation between success of a football program and the positive impacts it can have on the college campus and the community – everything from enrollment to brand recognition on a national scale. We are blessed to have tremendous supporters who are taking steps to help us continue to elevate our entire university through their investment."
The Billy W. Howard Sr. Indoor Practice Facility will include a 110,000 square-foot indoor training facility as well as dedicated areas for sports science for enhanced work in injury prevention and recovery. There will also be renovations and expansions of the sports medicine, nutrition, and locker room areas within the current Leo Seal Jr. Football Complex.
The Billy W. Howard Sr. Indoor Practice Facility will be constructed adjacent to the current Leo Seal Jr. Football Complex.
"Words cannot truly express how incredibly grateful we are to Howard Industries and the entire Howard family for making this vision a reality," head football coach Jeff Lebby said. "This new indoor facility will allow us to train more effectively as we compete against the best in the country week in and week out. The development of players, the injury prevention and recovery components and the ability to prepare for Saturdays regardless of the elements outdoors is going to have tremendous impacts on our program. We are grateful for the investment in Mississippi State football and are working tirelessly to make all Bulldog fans proud."
The estimated cost for the indoor practice facility and enhanced support spaces is approximately $60 million. Architects, CDFL and HOK, and facility planners are completing design concepts, with groundbreaking anticipated in 2027. It is expected that the indoor training facility will open in the summer of 2028, with interior renovations to the Leo Seal Jr. Football Complex completing in 2029.
