BWAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAA
UM Kicks Off O-Zone Game Day Campaign To Rally School Spirit
Proceeds from t-shirt sales to help fund Rebel Ride.
July 27, 2005
OXFORD, Miss. - When FedEx announced a $2.5 million gift to create an academic support center for student-athletes at the University of Mississippi, new head football coach Ed Orgeron revealed he isn't timid.
After Mike Glenn, FedEx executive vice president, made the gift announcement at a campus press conference in April, Orgeron, known to fans and players as "Coach O," ran up to Glenn and yelled, "Give me a high five! This is terrific!"
To follow Coach O's exuberance, the UM athletics department kicks off a new game day campaign, the O-Zone Experience, beginning with the season's opening home game, Sept. 24 versus the University of Wyoming Cowboys. UM officials seek to create an intimidating atmosphere for opponents inside Vaught- Hemingway Stadium, and the hope is that Ole Miss fans match the energy level already displayed by Coach O.
"Coach O has only been on campus a few months, and Ole Miss fans already know about his level of intensity," said Derek Horne, UM associate director of athletics.
By being called the O-Zone Experience, the desired atmosphere is expected to offer the 2005 Rebel football team a competitive home field advantage, one that is full of electricity and enthusiasm.
"Our desire is to develop a tough environment for our opponents, and offer our fans a great game day experience," Horne said. "It's going to take all of us to make this happen."
To assist with the campaign, the UM Associated Student Body set out to establish a T-shirt for students and fans. Senior Kimsey Troxler of Brandon designed this year's "Are You Ready?" T-shirt. The T-shirt was developed by Nike, and is sold only in the Ole Miss Bookstore and Rebel Shop.
"Having a unified athletic T-shirt is a concept that many other universities have utilized," said ASB president Rebecca Bertrand. "I plan to wear my `Are you Ready?' shirt to pep rallies and athletic events to show my support, and I think this type of collaboration between athletics and the fans will help build momentum for the O-Zone Experience."
Proceeds from the T-shirts will help fund the Rebel Ride, a free shuttle service offered to students. Formed during the 2004-2005 academic year, Students for a Saferide brought student leaders together to pool funding for the Rebel Ride shuttle.
"This student-led initiative teaches the importance of responsible decision-making and ensures every student a safe ride," said Bertrand.
Orgeron was hired Dec. 16, 2004, from the University of Southern California, where he coached the defensive line and served as recruiting coordinator and assistant head coach. He is the 35th head football coach in school history.
For more information about game day and the O-Zone Experience, visit http://www.olemiss.edu/gameday/. tobie baker)
