O’Connor thanks Virginia fans, donors for support

By Jerry Ratcliffe

Brian O’Connor was full of excitement about his new gig as Mississippi State’s baseball coach, but he didn’t forget where he came from when he was introduced to Bulldogs Nation on Thursday night in Starkville.

“Before I answer questions, I want to talk about the past and why I’m here,” O’Connor said. “22 years ago, the athletic director at the University of Virginia decided to take a chance on a 32-year-old, never-been head coach and I’m forever grateful to Craig Littlepage for providing me that opportunity.

“And as the 22 years passed, we had so much success on the field, in the classroom. And the donors at the University of Virginia, the fans, it just kept growing and growing to levels that maybe nobody ever thought it would. I’m incredibly proud of that and thankful for those years of everybody that immersed themselves in that baseball program, players, fans, donors.”

O’Connor continued on with his well wishes and thanks to everyone back in Charlottesville.

“Craig Littlepage stepped down and Carla Williams took over as the athletic director, and with her guidance and support, our program continued to elevate. That was evident three out of the last four years with that program going to Omaha. So I haven’t had the opportunity to thank the fans and all the support and everybody involved at the University of Virginia, but I am forever grateful for all the support that was there for that baseball program. I had written a letter to all those fans and those donors and former players and Carla Williams will release that letter thanking all those people.”

O’Connor told this reporter late Wednesday night that he had sent that letter to UVA a few days ago, but didn’t know why it hadn’t been released. Virginia said Thursday that it didn’t receive the communication from O’Connor’s administrative assistant Justin Armistead until Wednesday.

“Virginia’s support meant everything to me, they poured resources and their time and everything going on with the program so it could be one of the nation’s elite,” O’Connor went on to say Thursday night. “So I would be remiss if I didn’t start off by showing my gratefulness for the last 22 years and what that program means and what their opportunities are moving forward. So I’m honored to be the baseball coach at Mississippi State.”