The University of Mississippi Athletics
Forward Together: Ole Miss Unveils Landmark Capital Campaign
8/9/2011 | Women's Basketball
Aug. 9, 2011
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OXFORD, Miss. - A pivotal moment in the rise of the Ole Miss Rebels took place on Tuesday evening when the athletics department and UMAA Foundation announced the Forward Together capital campaign at a public ceremony in Vaught-Hemingway Stadium's South Endzone.
The Forward Together campaign seeks to raise $150 million in support of a comprehensive initiative aimed at new facility construction and existing facility enhancements for Ole Miss Athletics.
"This is really an exciting day in Ole Miss Athletics," said Ole Miss Athletics Director Pete Boone. "It's about going forward and doing it together. I think this will strengthen the bond that already exists among all the members of the Ole Miss family."
The groundbreaking campaign includes six main goals:
• Replace the current arena with a modern, first-class basketball facility
• Provide for necessary renovations and improvements to Vaught-Hemingway Stadium concourse areas
• Upgrade existing premium seating areas to enhance functionality and comfort
• Expand the north endzone of Vaught-Hemingway Stadium to accommodate the increasing demand for premium seating and improve the overall aesthetic look and feel of the stadium
• Create a Hall of Fame area to showcase Ole Miss Athletics history
• Provide for improvements to the Gillom Center
"This campaign and the proposed facility enhancements reflect much more than a bricks and mortar investment in Ole Miss Athletics," said UMAA Foundation Executive Director Danny White. "The Forward Together campaign symbolizes our shared values, our commitment to excellence and our unwavering resolve to win championships. It's going to take all the Ole Miss faithful to step up and support this campaign, and we're confident that everybody is ready to do that."
Construction of the new basketball arena, as well as renovations and expansion to Vaught-Hemingway Stadium and the Gillom Center will be in a phased approach, so as to allow time for design, development and funding in accordance with an overall Facility Master Plan. All projects are contingent upon sufficient funding to move forward.
"This is a big endeavor, a bold endeavor and an important endeavor for our university," said Ole Miss Chancellor Dan Jones. "This is going to give us state-of-the-art facilities on the prettiest campus in America, right in the heart of campus."
The UMAA Foundation is encouraging all Rebel fans to support the Forward Together campaign, and there will be a number of different ways to contribute. For detailed information, visit ForwardTogetherRebels.com.
