Ross Dellenger MC ’02 Speaks to AP English Classes About Role at Sports Illustrated

Ross Dellenger visited campus today to speak with the AP English classes taught by Ms. Lauren Williams. Dellenger is a 2002 graduate of Mercy Cross High School, and it was his first trip to the school building.

“To Imagine where I went to high school and then to see we have a whole wing – hallway – dedicated to us (Mercy Cross) is great,” said Dellenger while giving students an overview of his resume since high school.

Dellenger graduated from Mississippi State University and went to work for a daily newspaper covering Alabama high school sports and the Auburn University athletic program. Following his Alabama stint, Dellenger returned to the magnolia state to cover high school sports in the Jackson, Mississippi area, as well as covering the Jackson State University athletic programs. Dellenger would go on to work for the Baton Rouge Advocate covering LSU football. This stop would lead to his current job covering college football nationally for Sports Illustrated.

Students asked questions ranging from how deadlines differ between daily newspaper reporting and his current position to specific questions about his coverage of the 2020 college football season.

Following his question and answer session, Dellenger toured the campus and visited one of his teachers from his time at Mercy Cross: Ms. Debbie Worrel. Her class had planned to conduct an egg drop experiment from the top of the football stadium stands as part of her physics curriculum.

“Of all the days I could show up – it’s egg drop day. I want to do that,” said Dellenger as he headed off to the stadium.

Ross Dellenger is the son of Mr. Stan Dellenger, one of our religious studies teachers.