If you notice some unusually large, athletic looking men around town over the next few weeks, do not be alarmed.
It’s only the Mississippi Mudcats.
The American Indoor Football Association team based out of Tupelo announced Tuesday that it would conducting it’s spring training camp will be conducted here in West Point.

“We think this is a great opportunity, even though it’s not for a long period of time, for our community to get to know these players and get to know more about the team,” said West Point mayor Scott Ross. “It’s a short 45 minute drive to see them play during the regular season. I went last year and had a great time. It’s a super atmosphere . I think this is just a win-win situation for hopefully the Mudcats and certainly for the city, our high schools and our young athletes here.”
The Mudcats will split their practice time between West Point High School and Oak Hill Academy.
“What an exciting day for the City of West Point and West Point High School Football,” said West Point head coach Chris Chambless. “I’m proud to welcome Coach (Brian) Brents and the Mudcats to use our facilities. I want to encourage the players to interact with our kids. They need that because they look up to players at different levels because that’s where they want to be some day.”
Oak Hill assistant coach and former Super Bowl champion Tom Goode also thinks this experience could make an impact for not only his players but the Mudcats as well.
“I know that this could make a difference in some of these young people’s lives,” Goode said. “We’re glad to have them here and hope that we can have some kind of influence on their lives.”
The Mudcats are owned by West Point native and Tupelo attorney Jim Waide and went 12-4 this past season and earned a birth in the AIFA Playoffs.
“We’re very excited to start this year’s training camp off here in West Point, Mississippi,” Brents said. “I really think this is a big turning point in Northeast Mississippi knowing that it’s not just Tupelo’s team but it’s Northeast Mississippi’s team. We’re playing for all you guys and we’re very excited for you to take us in here in West Point and I think this is going to be a great thing. I can’t wait to get this started and be here for the next three weeks.”
The team is comprised of 34 players entering spring camp from across the country. The roster will be slimmed down to 25 before the season starts on March 22.
There are several local players on the roster including defensive back Travis Johnson of Ole Miss, defensive end-linebacker Jason Clark, fullback Bryson Davis, wide receiver-quarterback Omarr Conner of Mississippi State, quarterback Aries Nelson of Mississippi Valley State and West Point’s own defensive lineman Tim Love.
“We’ve got a lot of local talent,” Brents said. “I was very impressed coming to Mississippi from Texas and Florida. I never in my wildest dreams thought that we would come down here and be able to see as many hometown athletes as Mississippi has. We’re very fortunate and blessed to have those guys this year.”
The team will be housed at Mary Holmes College courtesy of former NFL All-Pro wide receiver Vernon Studdard, who intends to turn the facility into a drug rehabilitation center in the near future.