The Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum lost the only executive director in its history when Michael Rubenstein passed away in early December. Since the museum opened July 4, 1996, Rubenstein was the guiding hand and public face of the hall. Finding another person as passionate about Mississippi's sports history was the top priority in naming a new executive director.

Oscar Miskelly, chairman of the Hall of Fame's board of directors, believes they have found that person. Yesterday he named Rick Cleveland to the post.

Cleveland has been telling stories about Mississippi sports in print for more than 40 years, winning numerous awards over his career.

Speaking to a packed room at the Hall of Fame, Cleveland sounded excited but had a twinge of emotion in his voice. He spoke of working with the staff at the Hall of Fame and said he was ready to take on the challenge. Cleveland made it clear that he held no animosity toward his former employer, The Clarion-Ledger. He said he didn't always agree with management, but cared deeply for the hard-working and great people on the paper's staff.

One of the first tasks for Cleveland is to update the website for the Hall of Fame, making it more interactive and writing for it as well. Cleveland hopes to boost attendance as well.

"Hopefully we will give people a reason to come back to the Hall of Fame and attract new visitors with new exhibits and an updated website," he said.

Cleveland said we are a poor state divided into factions, but the Hall of Fame is not for just any of the colleges or universities, nor is it for just men or women, or for black or white. The hall is for all the people of Mississippi, he said.

April 13 will be Cleveland's last day at The Clarion-Ledger. His farewell column will be published April 15. He will begin working for the Hall of Fame full time May 1.