Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum

Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum is at 1152 Lakeland Dr., .3 mi. e. of I-55 exit 98B and next to Smith-Wills Stadium. It features artifacts and interactive displays honoring prominent Mississippi sports personalities. Archival footage, exhibits and interviews pay tribute to such athletes as major league baseball pitcher and Wiggins native Jerome Hanna “Dizzy” Dean, who won 30 games in 1934 and another 28 in 1935, and 2003 inductee Jackie Slater, the Jackson native whose entire 20-year career in the NFL was spent with the Rams organization.

A section dedicated entirely to Dean features his 1934 World Series championship ring, personal items donated by his family, newsreel clips and one of his uniforms. The self-guided tour begins with a theater presentation highlighting the obstacles several athletes overcame on their way to success. Displays in the Olympic Room document the achievements and medal wins of state Olympians, while the Lightspace Playfloor offers interactive games for all ages. In the Hall of Fame Stadium visitors can try their hand at football, basketball, baseball and more.

Time: Allow 1 hour minimum.