A QUICK LOOK AT - Mississippi

by Jack Witthaus

The Institution

School Quick Facts

Official Name:

University of Mississippi

Nickname:

Rebels

Location:

Oxford, MS

Enrollment:

20,844

Founded:

1848

Mascot:

Rebel, The Black Bear

Fight Song:

"Forward Rebels"

SEC Division:

West

Ole Miss may be the second smallest school and with the smallest college town in the SEC, but don’t be fooled. This university has deep southern roots.

When the Civil War erupted, classes were abruptly canceled at Ole Miss. Every student and most faculty signed up for the Confederate army, forming Company A, 11th Mississippi infantry or the “University Greys.” The company lost every single man, and suffered their heaviest casualties during Pickett’s Charge at the Battle of Gettysburg.

Mississippi’s oldest building, the Lyceum, was used as a field hospital in the Civil War for both Union and Confederate soldiers. Over 250 soldiers who perished in the Lyceum are buried on campus.

A janitor and friend of General Grant convinced the General to spare the university. Today you can still find bullet holes riddled in the sides of the oldest campus buildings.

After the war, Ole Miss made important strides in the education of women. The university first admitted a woman in 1882 and later hired a female teacher in 1885.

As you might expect, Mississippi was just the opposite with integration. James Meredith won a lawsuit to gain entrance into Ole Miss in September of 1962. Mississippi Governor Ross R. Barnett barred him from entering.

Finally, Meredith entered the school, but not without a fight. Thousands of students and southerners alike rioted around the school, killing two people and injuring over 100.

Ole Miss recently has tried to be more politically correct. In 2010, Mississippi dropped “Colonel Reb” as its mascot and has replaced him with “Rebel Black Bear.”

Mississippi has a comprehensive list of famous alumni including writers William Faulkner and John Grisham, quarterbacks Archie and Eli Manning, and more recently Baltimore Ravens left tackle Michael Oher.

Mississippi Football

Football Quick Facts

Venue Name:

Vaught-Hemingway Stadium

Venue Capacity:

60,580

Venue Surface:

Artificial

First Season:

1890

Overall Record:

621-486-35

Last Season:

2-10 (0-8 SEC)

Head Coach:

Hugh Freeze (0-0)

Football Rivals:

Mississippi State, Vanderbilt, LSU, Arkansas

Unfortunately, Mizzou does not have any scheduled games against Mississippi this year because these Rebels certainly know how to throw a tailgate.

Before each game, Ole Miss students and some alumni dress up in their nicest clothes and tailgate in the Grove. The tailgating spot, once called the “mecca of tailgating,” is located in the center of campus and surrounded by oak, elm and magnolia trees.

As many as 25,000 fans descend on the ten acre area each Saturday before kickoff. Some tailgates even come complete with tablecloths and fine china. Before, during and after the game, tailgaters and fans love to start the Hotty Toddy cheer.

Some of the older tailgaters have seen some legendary teams. Ole Miss lays claim to six SEC titles (their last one in 1963), three National Championships, and 11 consensus All-Americans.

John Vaught is Mississippi’s most successful coach, winning all of their SEC crowns and National Championships. His teams were some of the most successful, at one time making 15 consecutive bowls.

Vaught coached Archie Manning, father of Peyton and Eli, who performed admirably for the Rebels. Archie placed third in the Heisman voting in 1970. Archie’s dedication to the program led to the change of the speed limit to 18 miles per hour in honor of his old number.

Recently, the football hasn’t been so good. Last season’s 2-10 record and a lack of team discipline off the field led to the resignation of head coach Huston Nutt. New head coach Hugh Freeze thinks this may be a rebuilding year for the Rebels football squad. Freeze may sound familiar; he was portrayed in “The Blind Side” as the coach of Michael Oher.

Whether or not it’s a successful season, fans in the Grove will always proclaim that, “We may not win every game, but we’ve never lost a party.”

Mississippi Basketball

Basketball Quick Facts

Venue Name:

Tad Smith Coliseum

Venue Capacity:

9,061

First Season:

1909

Overall Record:

1192-1234

Last Season:

20-14, (8-8 SEC)

Head Coach:

Andy Kennedy (125-77)

NCAA Final Fours:

0

The Ole Miss basketball program started off with a bang. From the 1910s into the 1930s, the team posted a winning record and put some highly talented basketball teams on the hardwood.

Like most SEC schools, Mississippi fell off the winning track until the 1980s. The Rebels made their first NCAA appearance in 1981. From 1997-2002, Ole Miss made six tournament appearances, including their lone Sweet 16 in 2001.

The Rebels have won five SEC West titles, including a crown in 2010. Current head coach Andy Kennedy won SEC coach of the year in 2007, his first year with the team. Last season, Kennedy almost led Ole Miss to a berth to the Big Dance, after a 20-14 record. Ole Miss went on to the NIT and lost to Illinois State.

When Mizzou plays Ole Miss, the team should expect to play in a small and intimidating arena. The Tad Smith Coliseum may have only 9,000 seats, but fans really get into the games.