CLEVELAND, Miss. – Delta State University Athletics is proud to announce the dedication of the Box-Muse Basketball Team Room taking place on Saturday, Dec. 14 during the basketball doubleheader against Auburn-Montgomery.
The late William Box and Dr. Vernon Clyde Muse were teammates on the men's basketball team in the early 1950s and have since been devout supporters of the program that brought the two together.
"The Box and Muse families are an important part of our basketball history. We are appreciative of their contributions to make this Team Room addition possible for the development of our student-athletes," said Director of Athletics Mike Kinnison.
William Box played for the Statesmen from 1951-54 before graduating with a degree in mathematics and physical education in 1954. Following service with the U.S. Air Force, Box then devoted 41 years to a career in education as a basketball coach, teacher, principal, and retiring as the Director of the GED Program for Mississippi.
Box's children, Delta State alumni Sharon Feaster and Dennis Box, generously donated the funds in their father's memory to make the vision of the Team Room come to fruition.
Dr. Vernon Clyde Muse played for the Statesmen from 1951-52 before graduating from Delta State in 1952 with a degree in education. Dr. Muse served as president of Hinds Community College for 42 years until his retirement in 2019, the culmination of 68 years as an educator. He was inducted into the Mississippi Coaches Hall of Fame in 2000 and the Delta State Athletics Sports Hall of Fame in 2020.
Athletic Development Officer Kel Lange spoke to the importance of investing in Delta State's athletic programs. "We are very appreciative of the investment these families have made in our student athletes. The technology that they have provided certainly will play a pivotal role in our winning!"
The dedication of the Box-Muse Basketball Team Room will take place during the women's basketball game against Auburn University at Montgomery at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 14. Dr. Muse and the family of William Box will be recognized on the Lloyd Clark Court of Sillers Coliseum between the men's and women's game.
