Delta State University

Clarksdale, Miss. (November 10, 2008) – The Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame & Museum and Cellular South, a leader in wireless lifestyle solutions and innovation, announced the 2008 Cellular South Conerly Trophy presentation is returning to Clarksdale, the hometown of the award’s namesake, Charlie Conerly, for the first time since 1997.

This announcement kick starts the selection process for the 2008 Cellular South Conerly Trophy and Cellular South Fans’ Choice Award, which goes to the best college football player in Mississippi. The Cellular South Fans’ Choice Award features Mississippi college football superstars named as finalists for the Cellular South Conerly Trophy – Mississippi college football’s highest honor. While 58 members of the media decide who deserves the Cellular South Conerly Trophy, gridiron fans across the state can begin voting to determine which finalist is the fan-favorite and should win the Cellular South Fans’ Choice Award.

“We are proud to bring the Cellular South Conerly Trophy Award back to its roots in Clarkdale,” said Orien Watson, sports marketing manager for Cellular South. “This award enables Mississippians who are passionate about college football to recognize the most deserving player and crown them the top football athlete in the state.”

The Thirteenth Annual Cellular South Conerly Trophy presentation will take place, Tuesday, Dec. 2 at the Clarksdale Country Club. There will be a reception at 5:30p.m., followed by the trophy presentation at 6:30 p.m. For ticket information, please contact the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame & Museum at 1-800-280-FAME (3263), 601-982-8264 or generalinfo@msfame.com.

“The award has grown tremendously since we were last here, plus it is time to bring it back to Charlie Conerly’s hometown,” said Michael Rubenstein, executive director of the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame & Museum. “Also, for the first time, we plan to include speaking roles for coaches of the three finalists in lieu of a keynote speaker at the presentation.”
About the Cellular South Conerly Trophy 

Now in its 13th year, the Cellular South Conerly Trophy is named after the late Charlie Conerly – the only football inductee in the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame who was an All-American at a Mississippi university, an NFL rookie of the year and NFL All-Pro member, and quarterbacked a team to a world championship. Cellular South has served as title sponsor of the Cellular South Conerly Trophy since 1998.