The University of Mississippi’s athletics facilities, including Vaught-Hemingway Stadium and the new Pavilion at Ole Miss, are undergoing dramatic upgrades, which should be completed by late 2016.
OXFORD, Miss. – The M-Club Alumni Chapter of the Ole Miss Alumni Association has committed a new $1.5 million gift to the Forward Together Campaign, which is helping to expand and upgrade athletics facilities and opportunities at the University of Mississippi.
After giving $1 million in 2012, the M-Club lifts its total to $2.5 million since the start of the campaign, bringing the campaign total to more than $160 million.
“The M-Club Alumni Chapter is excited to continue to play a significant role in the Forward Together Campaign,” M-Club President Todd Sandroni said. “We are also honored that some of the funds from our latest donation will be applied toward the letterwinner walk and plaza, which specifically recognizes the contributions and achievements of the very group we represent.”
“The projects associated with the Forward Together Campaign provide another opportunity for M-Club alumni to support and remain actively involved with Ole Miss athletics,” added Clay Cavett, associate director of alumni affairs. “These initiatives will continue to propel our athletics program forward, and we are proud to be a part of that momentum.”
The $1.5 million commitment will be split in half between baseball and football initiatives. Specifically, the organization will put $500,000 toward the Jake Gibbs Letterwinner Walk. The columned walk will honor every Ole Miss athlete who ever earned a letter competing for Ole Miss and will also be part of the Walk of Champions, which will connect to the new entrance to Vaught-Hemingway Stadium’s north end zone.
The letterwinner walk and plaza associated with it are to be unveiled in late 2016.
“To see the M-Club, comprised of former student-athletes, committing to the future of Ole Miss Athletics is proof that all Rebels are part of one big family,” said Ross Bjork, Ole Miss athletics director. “This additional $1.5 million donation will go a long way with the plans we have set for the future.”
The large donation by the M-Club helps the Ole Miss Athletics Foundation, seeking to raise $1 million to honor Gibbs with the project. The foundation is aiming to reach the project goal by March 2016.
“As an M-Club member and working in the Ole Miss Athletics Foundation, I’m proud to see so many Rebels come together to support the Forward Together campaign,” said Keith Carter, senior associate athletics director for development and athletics foundation executive director. “This generous commitment pushes us past the halfway point for our goal towards the letterwinner walk. We hope this gift will encourage others to step up and contribute to this worthy cause.”
To directly donate toward the Jake Gibbs Letterwinner Walk and support Ole Miss athletics, go to https://ignite.olemiss.edu/project/993.
About M-Club
The M-Club Alumni Chapter of the Ole Miss Alumni Association provides the opportunity for letterwinners to maintain relationships across different sports, generations and geographical locations, and allows them to remain actively involved in Ole Miss athletics. The M-Club is open to all former letterwinners in varsity athletics. For further eligibility information or questions, contact mclub@olemiss.edu.
About the Ole Miss Athletics Foundation
The Ole Miss Athletics Foundation is the fundraising department of the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics and provides resources for student-athletes through scholarships, facilities, coaches’ compensation and other areas of the programs. For more information about the foundation and its initiatives, visit http://www.givetoathletics.com or call 662-915-7159.