.png&width=32&height=32&type=webp)
The University of Mississippi Athletics
Vaught-Hemingway Expansion Under Way
9/11/2001 | Football
Sept. 11, 2001
OXFORD, Miss. - Progress on the $25 million expansion of Vaught-Hemingway Stadium can now be viewed by anyone in the world, not just football fans at The University of Mississippi.
Construction to enclose the south end zone can be viewed via a "web cam" overlooking the Oxford campus site. The camera is accessible free on the internet at www.olemiss.edu/livecam or on the official athletic site at olemisssports.com.
Ole Miss Athletic Director John Shafer said seeing Vaught-Hemingway Stadium expand "before your very eyes" is extremely exciting.
"This project amazes me every day," Shafer said. "The scope of this project is tremendous."
Scheduled for completion in the Fall of 2002, the expanded horse-shoe shaped stadium will push capacity to more than 60,000. Southeastern Conference average capacity is 80,000. Due to the construction, south end zone bleachers have been removed, and this year's capacity is about 45,500.
"I'm really excited about what's happening with our stadium," said head football coach David Cutcliffe. "We have great plans for the future and great programs usually have great facilities. We're certainly headed in that direction."
The expansion project resulted from an increased demand for tickets, Schafer said. Waiting lists exist for both the sky boxes on the west side of the stadium and the Rebel Club on the east. The expansion will create an additional 30 sky boxes.
Financed through football ticket revenues, Rebel Club seating and the advanced sale of sky boxes, the project is part of the five-year $60 million Campaign for Excellence in Athletics Drive, which includes plans for a new indoor practice facility, a new track and field, a golf house, a new administration building, renovations to both the athletics building and baseball stadium, as well as the ongoing renovation of the Tad Smith Coliseum.
