University of Mississippi - Ole Miss Yearbook (Oxford, MS)

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Jl 0-acre field that lies at the center le Miss campus, sidewalks sketch 11 oak trees provide shade and squirrels scrounge for nuts. But, on home football game Saturdays, the Grove scene becomes a social party for thousands of tailgaters and an ecstatic pep rally for the Rebel team. 2 Litde boys geared in football equipment I and little girls wearing cheerleading 2 uniforms throw red and blue footballs. Parents and Ole Miss Alumni, dressed in spirited polo shirts, arrange food on platters, in chafing dishes or simply in Tupperware. Students lounge in padded folding chairs or tent hop to visit with friends. The athletes are showcased and cheered on as they make their appearance in the Grove a few hours before each home game. But with all these exciting festivities also comes much work and preparation. Days before home football games, Rebels plan to tailgate. Seniors Gregg Anazia and TaSheitha Butler have been involved in setting- up tents with various organizations since their freshmen yean About a week prior to the game, we begin preparing. We place orders and usually spend a couple of hours shopping, Butler said. Students who get dressed up for the Grove drive as far as Tupelo and Memphis to shop for new outfits. Students even call their parents to make last minute food requests. Freshman Laura Kate Long did just that for the homecoming game. I called my mom last night at 1 1 and told her my roommate wanted chess squares, she said. Long looked forward to the home-cooked meals she was able to enjoy when her parents traveled to Oxford to tailgate. All of the effort exercised to create an extraordinary tailgating experience on Ole Miss ' s campus is worth every second. On Saturday mornings, fans arrive in the Grove as early as 2 a.m. to declare a .spot for their canopy tent. Set-up is complete by the time the football players parade down the Walk of Champions and proceed to the Vaught- Hemingway Stadium. At this time in front of the Ole Miss Union, a section of the Pride of the South Band excites the crowd with popular pep songs. Cheerleaders perform stunts and yell chants. Rebel supporters line the walkway to rally for FOOTBALL DEFENSIVE end Dedrick Clark tackles cheerleader Chad Kelly after signing autographs in the Grove. These athletes enjoy fellowship with Rebel fans after the victory over Vanderbilt. the athletes. Defensive end Dedrick Clark admits that the Grove experience is encouraging for the players. It makes him realize ■ ' people care enough about you to come and watch you play. He feels ever ' one becomes a family in the Grove. The friendly atmosphere is evident as everyone remains in the Grove prior to game time. It is understood that the tents, hosted by various families, organizations or groups of friends, are open for company. I came out more and felt more comfortable (in the Grove), junior Alex Winters said. He makes new acquaintances each weekend in the Grove and encourages others, especially freshmen, to do the same. Alumnus Jane Towns also enjoys seeing her Saturday Friends, as she calls them. It ' s not just a football game, sophomore Bret Davis from Indiana said. It ' s much more. Davis was amazed and attracted to the small, southern town down home experience. Graduate student William Bendey defined the true spirit of the atmosphere. Everyone, including the players, will walk through the Grove and talk to you win or lose, Bentley said. Each tent adds to the diversity of people, food and fun - all defining the essence of tailgating in the Grove. THE FOOD OF THE GROVE, whether it be Abner ' s Famous Chicken Tenders or homennade family dishes, keeps all the Rebels happy and social. FAMILY AND FRIENDS are the heart and soul of the Grove. The Grove is a gathering place for fellowship and good times. THE FASHION of the Grove and Ole Miss football games create a classy look that is not seen by many colleges. With the classic polo and khakis for guys and the dresses for the gals, Ole Miss makes football a special occasion. GROVE TENTS, over the past few years, have taken over the Grove at a rapid rate. By midnight of game day, the Grove is blanketed with white, red and blue tents. Student Life | 21

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COfldfi tWHGS Groving lives on as Ole Miss ' most unique trait. With NUMBER OF GROVIN ' REBELS INCREASING EVERY YEAR, THE ' MOOD CONTINUES TO BE SPIRITED AND CLASSY. EiMi WALKMff ' ?«:;

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TO KEN, MARLENE, Charlem and Mason Baker, Ole Miss is onsidered a home away from 22 I The Ole Miss 2005