ITTA BENA — Mississippi Valley State began a new era of its athletics program, while closing out another.

The university held a ceremony Monday at Rice-Totten Stadium to unveil a new athletic logo, break ground on a turf field, and cut the ribbon on a new new jumobotron.

It was also announced that athletics director Hakim McClellan is stepping down after two years to become deputy athletics director at Jackson State.

MVSU President Dr. Jerryl Briggs, Sr. said head basketball coach and MVSU alum George Ivory will serve as the interim athletic director.

McClellan is a Valley alum who previously worked in the athletics department at both his alma mater and Jackson State before he was hired to run MVSU’s program.

“It was just time. It wasn’t anything else than that. It was time to make a move for the family and the overall scope of things,” McClellan told The Delta News at Monday’s ceremony. “It’s definitely difficult because this is my home. I came here in 2005, I met my wife here. This will always be home. I love this institution with all my heart. We have accomplished a lot in this time. There is always more work to be done wherever you are, but I think we put a great foundation into moving forward.”

Before leaving Itta Bena, McClellan led the project to renovate Rice-Totten Stadium and upgrade several other facilities on campus. Tennis, track and field and softball all had their facilities upgraded recently. Other improvements were made to the weight room and the athletics academic lab.

The upgrades to the football stadium are expected to be complete in time for the Delta Devils’ home opener on Sept. 28 against Alcorn State. Their first four games are on the road, beginning Aug. 31 at Tennessee State.

Briggs also announced an increase of $1.2 million in athletic scholarship funds for the 2024-25 academic year.

“We are thrilled with the progress of our athletic facilities and the advancements across the campus,” MVSU President Dr. Jerryl Briggs, Sr. said. “AD McClellan has done an exceptional job of keeping MVSU moving forward, and working alongside him has been an honor. We wish him the best in his future endeavors. When you love MVSU as he does, MVSU will always love you back.”