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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Carl Herrin Provides Million for Ole Miss Athletics Campaign
Nov. 9, 2000
OXFORD, Miss. - Jackson businessman Carl Herrin and his wife, Nancy, have enjoyed countless Saturdays each fall watching The University of Mississippi football team battle SEC rivals and other teams from across the nation.
Today, the couple reaffirmed their longtime support of Ole Miss and its athletics program by providing $1 million for the Campaign for Athletics, a major initiative to attract private funds for athletics programs, facilities and scholarships.
"Carl and Nancy Herrin are true friends and loyal fans. They have helped The University of Mississippi and our athletics programs for many years," said Chancellor Robert Khayat. "Now they have increased their support of Ole Miss through this marvelous million-dollar gift. We are deeply grateful for their generosity and vision. Their investment in this University will have a dramatic impact on generations of our student-athletes, as well as enable us to provide state-of-the-art athletics facilities on campus."
The businessman owns Herrin-Gear Lexus, Herrin-Gear Infiniti, Herrin-Gear Chevrolet, Hallmark Toyota BMW Kia and Saturn of Jackson, and Centraplex Ford in Killeen, Texas.
Before this most recent gift, the Herrins have supported an array of Ole Miss academic and athletics programs, including the Vaught-Hemingway Stadium expansion, Loyalty Foundation, Chancellor's Trust, Ole Miss Associates and Partners, John Vaught Scholarship Fund and Chucky Mullins Fund.
"Carl Herrin and his family have supported Ole Miss athletics for many years because they are strong believers in our student-athletes and in our programs," said John Shafer, director of Intercollegiate Athletics on the Oxford campus. "We appreciate this family's loyalty and continued commitment to helping us build for the future."
The Campaign for Athletics, the final component of the University's Commitment to Excellence Campaign, has as its goal attracting $30 million. 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.
"We are thrilled by the generosity of Carl Herrin," said George Smith, executive director of the Loyalty Foundation. "Carl is a longtime supporter of Ole Miss Athletics and a gift of this magnitude early in the campaign will provide many opportunities for the athletics program. We are grateful to have Carl on our team."
Senior Athletics Director Eddie Crawford agreed, saying, "Carl Herrin is a true friend to all of us in the Ole Miss family. He continues to help us with his time and resources."
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 and '76 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.
"Our coaches and student-athletes have been very successful," said Shafer. "The 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."
Khayat said planning for the campaign began 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 152 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. We thank the Herrins for believing in our goals and dreams."