The University of Mississippi Athletics
Excellence Campaign To Focus On Support For Athletics Program
April 20, 2000
OXFORD, Miss. - A major initiative to attract $30 million in private funds for University of Mississippi athletics programs was announced Thursday by University officials.
"With all the excitement surrounding the progress our University is making and the success of our athletics teams, we are confident our alumni and friends will step forward to accept this challenge," said UM Chancellor Robert Khayat.
Vice Chancellor for University Relations Gloria Kellum said the campaign for athletics is the final component in the University's $200 million Commitment to Excellence Campaign that began five years ago.
"Our goal is to be one of America's great public universities, and a top-notch, balanced, competitive athletics program is a necessary element," said Kellum. "Ole Miss teams have a rich and proud history. This will ensure a proud future."
Gifts to the campaign will be used to construct a multi-sport indoor practice facility, a new outdoor track, golf facility and athletics administration offices, and to renovate C.M. "Tad" Smith Coliseum and the Oxford-University/Swayze Field baseball stadium. An endowment also will be created to fund scholarships and maintain the new facilities.
Co-chairs of the campaign are Ole Miss football legend Archie Manning of New Orleans, a 1971 UM graduate, and attorney Richard Scruggs of Pascagoula, a 1969 UM graduate.
A separate project unrelated to the excellence campaign will construct a new south end zone at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium and bring total seating capacity to approximately 60,000. The stadium construction is expected to begin in December and will be financed through football ticket revenues, Rebel Club seating and sky boxes.
Athletics Director John Shafer called the program a strong commitment to the University's continued success in intercollegiate sports for men and women.
"Our coaches and student athletes have been very successful," said Shafer. "These additions and improvements will enhance our ability to recruit and compete at the highest level of the NCAA and increase fan support and enjoyment of our programs.
"It is an exciting time for Ole Miss athletics," he said.
Chancellor Khayat said planning for the campaign began soon after Shafer was named director in 1998.
"In every endeavor in which The University of Mississippi competes - athletics, research, academic programs or recruiting the brightest students - we expect to be recognized as a leader. It has been true for 151 years and it will be true tomorrow," said Khayat. "This campaign will ensure that we continue to be the pride of Mississippi in the athletics arena and participants in a golden era of Ole Miss sports into the 21st century."