Figure It Out. Those three words, initialized F.I.O., arestamped on a maroon wristband worn by Mississippi State Universitybaseball team members. This is one way MSU baseball coach JohnCohen deals with his players.

Cohen wants his players thinking. Exercise that brain matterbetween the ears. It sounds remarkably simple but it works.

Lose a textbook?

Can’t find your baseball shoes?

Confused by the opposing pitcher’s curveball?

F.I.O.

Raising his right arm and displaying the maroon wristband, Cohenexplained his method to the large crowd who gathered Tuesday nightfor the Southwest Mississippi State Alumni Chapter meeting. “It’san answer to some of life’s major issues,” said Cohen, flashing agrin.

Apparently, there was no shortage of brainpower on the 2009squad, Cohen’s first edition at MSU. They compiled a 3.31 GPA,highest team mark on the Starkville campus.

At the plate, the Bulldogs had a .308 team batting average.However, they couldn’t surpass the .500 level in wins and losses,going 25-29 overall and 9-20 in the rugged SoutheasternConference.

Obviously, the Bulldogs lacked outstanding pitchers. F.I.0.

“We signed 19 kids (to scholarships),” said Cohen. Twelve ofthem were pitchers, even though several seasoned veterans arereturning. F.I.O.

Cohen said three years of recruiting classes are necessary toestablish a strong baseball program. “We had a great recruitingclass in 2009. It looks even better for 2010.”

According to Cohen, confidence is a priority when he and hisstaff scrutinize potential recruits. “In any line of work,confidence comes from acquiring a skill. We are going to find kidswho have skills and confidence.”

Cohen said summer baseball camps are a key to finding the rightplayers who can fit the program. “Camps can work as a minor leaguefarm system.”

Oozing confidence and enthusiasm, Cohen was the last of threespeakers who addressed the alumni group gathered in the glisteningHorace C. Holmes Student Union, located on the SouthwestMississippi Community College campus. He was preceded by new MSUpresident Dr. Mark Keenum and MSU athletic director Greg Byrne.

Keenum and Byrne both expressed their enthusiasm for the futureof academics and athletics at MSU. Keenum began his first full yearat the helm yesterday, July 1.

“I’m excited about the new year,” said Keenum, father of fourchildren. An MSU graduate with a fundamental appreciation foragriculture, Keenum had served on Sen. Thad Cochran’s staff inWashington D.C., before becoming State’s 19th president inJanuary.

“It’s good to be back home,” said Keenum. “Someone asked me whatI missed most about Washington and I said, ‘Nothing.'”

A politician by day and a family man by night, Keenum said hehas spent numerous days in Jackson working with the statelegislature. Education budget cuts, projected at 5 percent, havebeen dealt with.

Keenum said he enjoyed visiting with Copiah-Lincoln CommunityCollege president Dr. Ronnie Nettles Tuesday and with Southwestpresident Dr. Oliver Young who was present for the alumnimeeting.

“I want to visit all 15 community college campuses,” saidKeenum. “Half of our students come from community colleges.”

He said a long-range goal was to increase MSU enrollment to22,000 by 2015. “If we can grow our student body, we can grow ourrevenue.”

Keenum said he appreciated the large turnout for the meeting.”You people here tonight are our best recruiters.”

Unknown to many folks, the MSU campus is now the home of theUlysses S. Grant presidential library. Grant’s collection ofpersonal correspondence and notes during his eight years in office,plus his military campaigns, had been headquartered at SouthernIllinois University for the last 50 years.

Keenum said certain administrative issues with SIU had led tothe search for a new home. He smiled when he recalled a telephoneconversation with a Chicago newspaper writer who had inquired aboutthe new location of Grant’s library.

“I told her (writer) our state of Mississippi had more to dowith promoting Grant’s career than any other state,” said Keenum,laughing. The Civil War’s siege of Vicksburg is well documented asa Grant success story and a turning point in the war.

Byrne, the tallest and youngest athletic director in the SEC,lavished praise on new head football coach Dan Mullen, the formeroffensive coordinator for the national champion Florida Gators.There was a record turnout for State’s spring football game andseason tickets sales are ahead of last year.

“Dan has made everybody more competitive,” said Byrne. “From theweight room to the classroom, he has put championship lists on thewalls. His practices are enthusiastic and full of competition,too.”

Byrne believes in promoting the program. He wants to placebillboards recognizing MSU along every major highway entering thestate. “I saw the one in Jackson and it made me feel good.”

Overall, it was a feel-good night for MSU’s maroon-cladfaithful.

Write to sports editor Tom Goetz, c/o The DAILY LEADER, P.O. BOX551, Brookhaven, MS 39602 or e-mail sports@dailyleader.com