Grove-Side Q&A

This is the first installment of OleMissSports.com's Grove-Side Q&As and features Ole Miss Director of Athletics Pete Boone. Questions were sent in by fans through OleMissSports.com over the last two weeks and touch on a variety of topics. Grove-Side Q&As will be a regular feature on OleMissSports.com and will provide Rebel fans interactive opportunites with some of the key figures in Ole Miss athletics.

Q: What specific improvements to Tad Smith Coliseum will be ready for this season?

A: To begin with, we have refurbished the playing surface. Gone are the deep red and blue colors around the key. The floor has a brighter, more natural look to it. New lighting should be installed that will not only help brighten the arena but allow for more dynamic beginnings to games with lasers, spotlights, etc.  We are looking for a better way to recognize teams and players than the current method and present the awards in a more organized way. Within a few years we will move the ticket office. That will open up a great area for interactive games, apparel, souvenir shops, etc.

Q: What long-range improvements with basketball facilities are in the works?

A: We should have an architect on board within a month to begin planning the new basketball practice facility. We are taking several locations to the University's facility planning committee. One will be across the road from the Gillom Center, and the other one in the parking lot closest to the current coaches’ offices.

Q: Ole Miss fans are so impatient with the football program. It seems like they want an "instant", big-time program. Are you happy with the product on the field this year?

A: It is apparent that our football program is making positive strides every week.  We have 70 scholarship players where most teams have 85. Forty-five of those players are freshmen or sophomores, and only nine are seniors. We have played 20 freshmen this year so far. Coach “O” and his staff have done a great job of keeping these young men focused on improving each game. Making discernable progress is important for the players, coaches and fans alike. This staff is doing that.

Q: Is there a long-term plan for a possible North Endzone expansion?

A: We are several years away from North Endzone discussions. We have to rebuild our season-ticket base, which will come as our team matures and successfully competes week in and week out.

Q: Why does the athletics department care less about sports radio coverage in the Gulfport market east? In these markets, you can’t hear Rebel games of any kind on the air.

A: To think or surmise that Ole Miss does not care about radio coverage, wherever, makes no sense. Telesouth and Ole Miss administration discuss radio coverage every year. However, getting coverage is much harder than wanting coverage. We all realize this is about money. Stations are not going to cover, play or sponsor anything if there is not a profit in it for them. Many stations will not change their format (country, rock, Christian, etc.) regardless.  So, we work at it every year. It is my understanding that we have a 100,000-watt Mobile station and another 25,000-watt Mississippi Coast station carrying Ole Miss football and SEC men's basketball games this year. I am not sure about baseball. There have been occasions in the past in which we have paid stations to carry our games, because not enough commercials were bought to make it profitable.  We do not have to do that currently. We have better and broader coverage than anytime in Ole Miss history.  Do we want to continue to expand the coverage? Certainly. If our fans will support local stations with advertising, we can get it done.

The University of Mississippi Athletics

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