The Poll

12 Steve McNair
The Titans quarterback is a Mount Olive native and played his college ball at Alcorn State in Lorman.

13 Petal
The town of 10,000 near Hattiesburg is the state's SI Sportstown for having the best community sports programs.

14 International Checker Hall of Fame
Kids can act as checkers on the giant game board at this attraction in Petal.

15 Richburg
John L. Sullivan and Jake Kilrain met in the last sanctioned bare-knuckle title fight in the U.S. here on July 8, 1889; the heavyweight bout, which Sullivan won in 75 rounds, is commemorated with a monument in Purvis.

16 Ruthie Bolton
The Sacramento Monarchs guard, a McClain native, was First Team All- WNBA in 1997.

17 Eric Moulds
The Bills wideout from Lucedale was All-SEC at Mississippi State.

18 Mississippi Coast Coliseum
The arena by the beach in Biloxi is home to the Mississippi Sea Wolves minor league hockey team.

19 Dizzy Dean Gallery
The Hall of Fame pitcher from Bond is commemorated in a section of the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum in Jackson.

NUMBERS

3
Olympic long jump medalists from Mississippi: Edward Gordon of Jackson (gold in '32), Ralph Boston of Laurel (gold in 1960, silver in '64, bronze in '68) and Larry Myricks of Jackson (bronze in '88).