Adalyn Callahan / Dr. Brad Smith
The BankFirst Ranger Hour celebrates an exciting week at Northwest Mississippi Community College, with Ranger athletics in the national spotlight and Northwest preparing to officially kick off its Centennial Celebration. Host Gary Darby visits with Northwest volleyball player Adalyn Callahan and new Vice President of Institutional Affairs Dr. Brad Smith, while also previewing a top-five football showdown between No. 3 Northwest and No. 5 Mississippi Gulf Coast.
Adalyn Callahan – Northwest Volleyball
Northwest volleyball outside hitter Adalyn Callahan, a Hernando native and 2025 graduate of Hernando High School, joins the show as the Rangers continue their undefeated start to the 2026 season. Callahan discusses why Northwest immediately felt like the right fit, the relationships she already had with teammates from DeSoto County and the trust and chemistry that have helped the Rangers start the season 10-0. She also talks about the competitive atmosphere at practice and her academic plans as a pre-nursing student. After completing her volleyball career, Callahan plans to enter Northwest's nursing program, earn her RN and pursue a career in either emergency room or operating room nursing.
Dr. Brad Smith – Vice President of Institutional Affairs
New Northwest Vice President of Institutional Affairs Dr. Brad Smith introduces himself to Ranger Nation and shares the career journey that brought him back home to Mississippi. A Brookhaven native and Southern Miss graduate, Smith spent approximately 20 years in Division I college athletics, holding external affairs leadership roles at Middle Tennessee State University, Texas A&M, UAB, Morehead State, Southern Miss and most recently UTSA. At Northwest, Smith oversees athletics, strategic communications, the Northwest Foundation and government affairs. He discusses the importance of relationship-building throughout his career, the momentum he sees at Northwest, President Dr. Michael Heindl's leadership and the welcoming campus culture that attracted him to the College.
Smith also previews Northwest's Centennial Kickoff Celebration on September 8, beginning at 10 a.m. in front of the McCormick Administration Building on the Senatobia campus. The public celebration will honor the generations who built Northwest and include the dedication of a historical marker, the unveiling of a portrait honoring James P. McCormick, remarks from Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves and Dr. Michael Heindl, and statewide coverage from SuperTalk Mississippi. Smith also discusses the Centennial Circle, a fundraising initiative designed to support Northwest students and help position the College for its next 100 years.
The episode also catches listeners up on a big week for Northwest Ranger Athletics. Northwest volleyball is 10-0, the nationally top-ranked women's soccer program continues its strong start, and men's soccer is coming off an 11-1 victory. On the football field, No. 3 Northwest returns to Bobby Franklin Field after a dramatic 38-35 comeback victory at Jones to host No. 5 Mississippi Gulf Coast in a nationally ranked matchup. The Centennial Throwback Game will also showcase Northwest's new video board and LED stadium lighting as Ranger fans are encouraged to wear black for the 7 p.m. kickoff.
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