The Ranger Hour Sponsored by BankFirst
Northwest Welcome Week & 2026 Ranger Football Preview
Northwest Mississippi Community College is ready to welcome students back to campus, and the August 13 edition of the Bank First Ranger Hour looks ahead to a busy start to Northwest’s historic Centennial year. Host Gary Darby visits with Michaela Mhyre, Director of Student Activities, and Benji Parker, Head Football Coach, for a preview of student life, Welcome Week, Northwest’s 100th anniversary and the beginning of another highly anticipated season of Ranger athletics. Michaela Mhyre – Northwest Welcome Week & Student Life Director of Student Activities Michaela Mhyre previews a packed Welcome Week at Northwest Mississippi Community College as new and returning Rangers arrive for the fall semester. Mhyre discusses Ranger Roundup, first-day activities, student organizations, Water Day, the women’s soccer tailgate, the Red, White and Ranger pool party, an ice cream social and other opportunities designed to help students connect with the Northwest community. Mhyre also discusses the excitement surrounding Northwest’s Centennial year and the continued growth taking place across the college. With Welcome Week followed quickly by Centennial activities and Homecoming, Northwest is preparing for an especially active fall semester. She explains how student activities help students build friendships, connect with faculty and staff and discover that the Northwest experience extends far beyond the classroom. Benji Parker – 2026 Northwest Rangers Football Preview Northwest head football coach Benji Parker joins the program as the Rangers prepare for the 2026 college football season. Parker discusses preseason practice, player development, Northwest’s facilities, preparing safely during the Mississippi summer heat and the challenge of competing in one of the strongest community college football environments in the country. The Rangers enter 2026 following back-to-back 10-2 seasons, consecutive MACCC/Region 23 championships and a fourth appearance in the NJCAA playoffs in five seasons. Parker talks about the culture surrounding Northwest football, the quality of Mississippi community college football and the importance of developing student-athletes both on the field and in the classroom. Northwest opens the 2026 season August 27 at Jones College in Ellisville before returning to Senatobia for the home opener against Mississippi Gulf Coast on September 3. The program also looks ahead to another demanding MACCC schedule as the Rangers begin their pursuit of another championship season. Northwest Athletics Update The episode also previews the start of another exciting year for Northwest athletics. The back-to-back NJCAA Division II National Champion Northwest women’s soccer team enters the season ranked No. 1 in the nation, while men’s soccer and volleyball are also beginning preseason competition. After another outstanding year of success on the field and in the classroom, Ranger Athletics is preparing for another full season of competition. Listen to the Bank First Ranger Hour for the latest Northwest Mississippi Community College news, student life, athletics, campus events and stories from across the Northwest community. SEO Keywords: Northwest Mississippi Community College, NWCC, Northwest Rangers, Northwest Mississippi Community College football, Northwest Rangers football, Benji Parker, Northwest football 2026, MACCC football, NJCAA football, Mississippi community college football, Northwest Welcome Week, Northwest Mississippi Community College Welcome Week, Michaela Mhyre, Northwest student activities, Northwest Centennial, NWCC Centennial, Northwest Mississippi Community College Centennial, Northwest 100 years, Ranger Roundup, Northwest student life, Northwest campus life, Northwest women’s soccer, NJCAA women’s soccer national champions, Northwest volleyball, Northwest men’s soccer, Senatobia Mississippi, Northwest Mississippi, Bank First Ranger Hour, Ranger Hour, Gary Darby
