BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Mississippi Valley State head coach Vincent Dancy, along with senior safety Tracy Thompkins (Miami, Fla.) and senior running back John'Derrick Smith (Greenwood, Miss.), represented the Delta Devils at the 2019 SWAC Media Day. 

The trio participated in interviews with various media outlets, including the SWAC Digital Network, TV and radio, and several social media and blog sites. The event was held Tuesday (July 16) at the Birmingham Westin. 

"Today went well. The SWAC did a nice job with a new setup." Dancy said. "I enjoyed the opportunity to talk about the season, and to bring two of my better athletes along for the ride. We appreciated the chance to show how we'll improve offensively and be more dominant on defense." 

During the proceedings, Valley received a fifth place prediction in the SWAC's Eastern Division with a total of 30 points. Defending conference champions Alcorn State were selected to win the East, while runner-up Southern was selected to defend the West. 

Thompkins appreciated the turnout of the media. "They offered up a lot of different questions. It allowed us to show how we're going to get better this year. So it was a good experience." 

Both players are going off solid junior campaigns. Thompkins was third on the team with 75 tackles and earned an interception over 10 games last year. Smith averaged just under four yards a carry coming off the bench, adding 19 receptions and four touchdowns.