Mississippi State Athletic Academics

Welcome to the team of Athletic Academics!  We are a group of athletic academic counselors, tutors, and administrative staff that are here to assist student-athletes in reaching all of their academic goals.  Our goal is to enable the student-athletes to reach full academic potential and to pursue whatever degree and/or degrees they choose.  Athletic Academics provides an environment which is conducive to learning and stimulates growth as a student and as an athlete.  We look forward to the success of our current and future student-athletes, both academically and athletically.

The Athletic Academic Staff will become involved in all phases of a student-athlete's academic career, including, but not limited to:

1. Course selection based on the student's abilities assessed from test scores and transcripts
2. Referral to University support programs
3. Monitoring of mid-term grades, grade point averages, completion of University core requirements, degree programs
4. Personal academic counseling as needed
5. Registration information
6. Assistance in development of a major
7. Goal development and achievement
8. Contact with University colleges and major advisors

The Office of Athletic Academics is housed in the Templeton Athletic Academic Center. It was completed in November 2008 and opened in the same month. The facility is an addition to two existing facilities in the athletic wing of the MSU campus - the Shira Complex and the Holliman Athletic Center. It is situated on the south side of those two facilities, and across the street from the Bryan Athletic Administration Building.

The 34,000 square-foot building serves the entire athletic department, houses the Athletic Academics offices and staff, and includes individual computer rooms, tutor work areas, a large open study area and a 300-seat dining facility with a fully-functioning kitchen.

Our Staff

RAY BERRYHILL - Assistant AD/Academic Services (Joined Staff - 1982, 1989)
E-mail: rberryhill@athletics.msstate.edu
As the Director of Athletic Academics, Ray Berryhill administers to the day-to-day administrative and academic needs of all student-athletes at Mississippi State University. In addition, Berryhill oversees the daily academic progress of the Baseball Bulldogs as their athletic academic counselor. A native of Gloster, Miss., Berryhill is in his second tour of duty in the department. A 1980 graduate of Mississippi State University, he served first as a graduate assistant coach with the MSU track program and received his Masters of Education degree in 1981. In 1984 he was named director of athletic academics at the University of Alabama, overseeing the academic progress for all Crimson Tide student-athletes. He returned to State as director of athletic academics in January 1989, and in August 2000 was promoted to assistant athletic director for academics. Berryhill also serves as the academic liaison for the Provost Office. Under his supervision, MSU's student-athletes have enjoyed unprecedented success in the classroom, frequently establishing school and conference records for combined grade point average. Berryhill also serves as M-Club advisor, a community service organization for student-athletes who have earned a letter in their sport, as well as supervisor of on-campus housing for all student-athletes through the MSU Office of Housing and Residence Life. Berryhill is in his 24th year overall with the Mississippi State University Athletic Department and he and his wife, Dr. Amy Huff Berryhill of Ferriday, La., are the parents of a son, Cody, and a daughter, Carolina. 

LYNDA MOORE - Assistant Director of Athletic Academics (Joined Staff - 2002)
E-mail: lkm45@athletics.msstate.edu
Beginning her 11th season with the Mississippi State athletic family, Lynda Moore helps monitor the day-to-day academic requirements and needs of the Men's Basketball and Men's Tennis programs. Upon obtaining her bachelor's degree in English in 1997 from Stetson University in Deland, Fla., Moore worked as a teaching assistant at Mississippi College during the 1997-98 and 1998-99 academic years.  While at the Clinton-based school, she pursued graduate work on her master's degree in English.  During the latter portion of her stay in the Jackson area, Moore also served on the women's softball coaching staff at Belhaven College during the 1998 and 1999 seasons.  Born in Yazoo City, Miss., Moore is married to Sergeant First Class David Moore, who serves as a recruiter for the Army National Guard on the Mississippi State University campus.  They are the parents of three sons - Rylan James, Corey Ross, and Tanner Ray - and one daughter - Lillie Brynn.

KYLIE AMATO  - Athletic Academic Counselor (Joined Staff - 2009) 
E-mail: kamato@athletics.msstate.edu
Kylie Amato, a native of Toomsuba, Miss., has joined the staff at Mississippi State University as the Academic Athletic Counselor for Football. Prior to joining MSU, Amato was the Assistant Director at Florida State University where she served, the last seven years, as the Academic Counselor for Women's Basketball, Baseball and Women's Tennis. She also served as the bookstore liaison between Academics and the University Bookstore ensuring all scholarship athletes received recommended textbooks and supplies for their courses. In addition, she served as the Advising Coordinator between Academic Athletic Advising and Advising First. In addition, she served as a staff representative to FSU's Student-Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC) and is an active member of the National Association of Academic Advisors for Athletics (N4A). Amato was a letter winner in volleyball at the University of West Alabama where she earned a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology. Moving into coaching thereafter, Amato joined the Northwestern State University Volleyball Program as a graduate assistant coach. While there, she earned her Master's Degree in Sports Administration. Amato is currently working on a second Master's through the University of West Alabama in Continuing Education with a concentration in Counseling/Psychology.

JILLIAN GUY  - Athletic Academic Counselor (Joined Staff - 2011)
E-mail: jguy@athletics.msstate.edu
Jillian Guy, a native of Crossville, Tenn., serves as the Athletic Academic Counselor for Softball and Women's Tennis and also assists with Football.  Jones originally joined the Bulldog family in August 2005 as a member of the MSU Women's Golf team.  She completed her bachelor's degree in business administration in May 2009.  In July 2009, Jones joined the Office of Athletic Academics as an intern with plans to pursue a master's degree in business administration.  In April 2011, Jones completed her MBA and joined the staff full-time in May 2011 as an Assistant Athletic Academic Counselor.

TOYA WILLIAMS - Athletic Academic Counselor (Joined Staff - 2011)
E-mail: twilliams@athletics.msstate.edu
Toya Williams is in her first year as an Athletic Academic Counselor for the Soccer, Track and Field and Volleyball teams at Mississippi State University. A native of Tampa, Fla., Williams spent the last two years as an Assistant Academic Advisor and Academic Mentor for the Football, Men's Golf and Women's Golf teams at the University of Central Florida. Prior to working in the UCF Athletic Department, Williams spent four years coaching track and field and two years teaching at Colonial High School in the Orlando area. Williams earned her bachleor's degree from UCF in education in 2007 and her master's degree in sport administration in 2010.

DANIEL MORGAN - Athletic Academic Counselor for Study Hall and Tutorial Services (Joined Staff - 2009)
E-mail: dmorgan@athletics.msstate.edu
After serving from 2007 - 2009 as a Graduate Assistant, Daniel is now the Athletic Academic Counselor for Study Hall and Tutorial Services with Athletic Academics.  Daniel received his Bachelor's Degree from Mississippi State in 1999 and served as the Program Director at MSU's own WMSV 91.1 FM for four years.  Daniel graduated with his Master's Degree in Sports Administration in May of 2009.  Daniel is married to Karla Morgan and they have a son, Cade.

PAUL PICARD - Assistant Athletic Academic Counselor for Study Hall and Tutorial Services (Joined Staff - 2011)
E-mail: ppicard@athletics.msstate.edu
Paul Picard is in his first year as an Assistant Athletic Academic Counselor for the Study Hall and Tutorial Programs as Mississippi State University.  A native of Pride, La., Picard spent the last year as a tutor in the MSU Athletic Academic Department.  Prior to that, Picard spent 20 years in the field of Natural Resource Management and Education.  He earned his bachelor's degree from Mississippi State University in Fisheries Resource Management in 1991 and has also attended graduate school at MSU.

ERICA SMITH - Learning Specialist (Joined Staff - 2012)
E-mail: esmith@athletics.msstate.edu
Erica Smith joined the MSU Academic staff as Learning Specialist in May 2012. Originally from Brookhaven, Miss., Starkville has been her home for the past five years.  After finishing at Copiah-Lincoln Community College in 2007 with an Associate's Degree, Erica transferred to Mississippi State, graduating in 2009 with a Bachelor's of Science in Secondary Education with a concentration in English.  Following graduation, she began teaching at Noxubee County High School, teaching 9th, 11th and 12th grades, as well as American Novel and Creative Writing.  She was also a senior class sponsor and Senior Research Project director. While at Noxubee County, Erica founded the co-ed varsity tennis program and, in its second year, took the first boys doubles team from Noxubee County to the State Championship tournament.  She served as the head tennis coach until moving to MSU in May 2012. Erica is currently working on her Master's Degree in English Education and planning to complete classes in July 2012.

ERICKA BAZZILL- Administrative Assistant (Joined Staff - 2002)
E-mail: ebazzill@athletics.msstate.edu
Ericka Bazzill joined the Office of Athletic Academics as an Administrative Assistant in December 2002.  She is married to Stan Bazzill with two children: Jordan and Parker. She is pursuing her degree in General Business Administration.

ADDITIONAL STAFFERS
Cory Bailey - Graduate Assistant
Beth Benson - Graduate Assistant
Sawyer Bowering - Graduate Assistant
Kendric Cook - Graduate Assistant
Tia Daniels - Graduate Assistant 
Misty Flesher - Graduate Assistant
Ellis McNair - Graduate Assistant
Ashley Newsome - Graduate Assistant
Kathleen Simmons - Graduate Assistant
Katie Thomas - Graduate Assistant
Nate Thomas - Graduate Assistant

Contact Us

MSU Athletic Academics
P.O. Box 5327
Mississippi State, MS 39762
662-325-2066
662-325-0589 (fax)
Location: Templeton Athletic Academic Center


View our brochure!

 Become an Athletic Academic Tutor

***Bulldog Athletic Academic Tutors Needed!***

Are you are extremely knowledgeable in Accounting, Biology, Chemistry, Communication, Economics, English, Finance, Geography, History, Math, Business, Kinesiology, Political Science, Psychology and/or Sociology? Are you looking for spending cash or a supplemental income? Do you have four to six extra hours per week? Do you enjoy helping others?

If so, please apply to be an Athletic Academic Tutor!

You can apply through the MSU Career Services website or by contacting Daniel Morgan (662-325-8125).