One of SuperTalk Mississippi Media’s very own is being inducted into the Ron Polk Ring of Honor at Mississippi State.
Jim Ellis, who hosts The Sports Edge and Today in the Golden Triangle on SuperTalk Golden Triangle, will join former Mississippi State players Bobby Reed and Buddy Myer in having their plaques unveiled in the right field plaza where Polk’s statue stands.
Since 1979, Ellis has been calling sports for the Bulldogs, and according to him, Polk was the one who gave the final nod for school officials to hire him as “The Voice of the Diamond Dawgs.” At the time, Polk was in his third year of what would turn into a three-decade tenure as Mississippi State’s head baseball coach.
“He actually is the guy who ok’d me coming to Mississippi State,” Ellis recounted. “I was working for an area radio station doing a lot of high school sports. They sent a tape to the guy who was running the network then and he played the tape for Ron and Ron gave me the rousing endorsement he’ll do and I got the job.”
Noting that he and Polk have become close friends over the years, Ellis and the legendary coach now work on the same broadcast as Polk started doing color commentary for baseball games in 2020 upon being hired as special assistant to the athletic director.
“I know him well, cherish him as a friend and he’s a unique person,” Ellis said. “It’s an honor to be inducted. It’s certainly something that I’m very proud of. I’m very thankful for it. I’m a non-baseball player, but I guess they figured since I’ve hung around for 46 years, they ought to do something. I’m very honored and appreciative for what Mississippi State has done and the relationships I’ve formed with the coaches and players over the years.”
Over the course of his career, Ellis has called a laundry list of iconic moments for Mississippi State baseball, including the school’s first national championship in 2021. A native of West Point, Ellis has been behind the microphone for 32 NCAA Regional appearances, seven SEC Tournament titles, and 11 trips to the College World Series. He is a four-time Outstanding Broadcaster in Mississippi Award winner.
The Ron Polk Ring of Honor class of 2024 will be inducted on Saturday, April 6, at 2 p.m. in the Adkerson Plaza. Fans are invited to come celebrate the trio before game two of the Bulldogs’ series against Georgia begins at 7 p.m.
