The University of Mississippi Athletics
6/3/2003 | Soccer
In 1997, the third-year Rebel soccer program took one of its first big steps, setting foot into Ole Miss Soccer Stadium. The fully-finished complex was christened on Sept. 28, 1997, in a nationally-televised game against Alabama. Since then, the Rebels have been victorious in over 70 percent of their home matches, posting an impressive 35-13-1 mark.
Helping to provide the perfect environment for collegiate soccer, Ole Miss Soccer Stadium includes a state-of-the-art scoreboard, sound system and lights. With seating for over 1,500 spectators, the Stadium is located directly behind the Gillom Sports Center, which provides top-notch locker rooms for both teams, a team meeting area for the Rebels, a changing room for officials and the UM coaches' offices.
The 2002 season was a momentous one for Ole Miss Soccer Stadium, as it was not only the site of the SEC Championship but also underwent a major facelift. A two-story brick building was constructed, supplying a three-room media area on the top floor and new concession and restroom facilities on the bottom, facing the outside of the stadium. The new building, coupled with the bricking of the backside of the stands and recent landscaping all around the complex, give the Rebels one of the finest and most attractive soccer stadiums in the nation. The new construction concluded just prior to the SEC Tournament, which was also an overwhelming success. The Rebels' first-round match with Kentucky drew a crowd of 1,588 - the second largest in stadium history.
In recent years, Ole Miss Soccer Stadium has played host for the highest attendance of any UM women's sport. The Rebels have averaged nearly 600 fans per game over the last two seasons. The 2001 season finale against Mississippi State attracted what is believed to be the largest crowd ever to watch a soccer match in the state of Mississppi. The Nov. 2 Friday night grudge match drew a standing-room-only crowd of 1,791 to Ole Miss Soccer Stadium, and kept each fan's eyes glued to the field for every second of the double-overtime thriller. The stadium also saw crowds of 992 for LSU last year and 971 for Alabama in 2001.
