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Officials with BancorpSouth and the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum unveiled plans today for the 44th Annual Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame Induction. David Barrentine, mid-Mississippi region president for BancorpSouth, along with Cal Wells, president of the museum board and Michael Rubenstein, executive director for the museum, announced the bank's multi-year sponsorship of the event and gave details for the BancorpSouth Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame Weekend set for July 28-29, 2006.

In unveiling plans, Barrentine outlined both of BancorpSouth's signature events for the Hall of Fame Weekend. On Friday, July 28, 2006, the 44th Annual Induction Reception & Banquet will be held at the Jackson Hilton Hotel at 5:30 p.m. and will serve as the official enshrinement of the 2006 inductees. On Saturday, July 29, 2006, BancorpSouth will host "Meet the Inductees," where inductees from all classes will be available to the public from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Barrentine acknowledged the museum's commitment to creating a world-class facility and memorial event to honor Mississippi's sports legends.

"Mississippi has an incredible legacy of athletes," noted Barrentine. "We commend the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame for its tremendous work in preserving our sports heritage and are proud to be a part of the continuing tradition of honoring Mississippi's best."

"Sports cut across all dividing lines, and they unite us as Mississippians," said Aubrey Patterson, chairman of BancorpSouth. "We are pleased to partner with the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum in memorializing these incredible Mississippians."

The Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame houses some of Mississippi's most prolific athletes who are recognized throughout the world. This significant event serves to recognize them for their achievements and contributions to sports in the state.

"We think BancorpSouth is a perfect partner for this event," said Wells. "They have branches all over the state and we celebrate heroes from all over Mississippi."

Headquartered in Tupelo, Mississippi, BancorpSouth is an $11.5 billion asset banking company that operates 271 commercial banking, mortgage, insurance, trust and broker/dealer locations in Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee and Texas, with 272 ATMs and a staff of approximately 4,000 full-time employees. BancorpSouth and its subsidiaries provide, in addition to traditional banking services, mortgage origination and servicing, student loans, leasing, credit card, trust and fiduciary services, brokerage, investment and insurance services.

SOURCE: BancorpSouth, Inc.