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

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j DELTA KAPPA EPSILON I fraternity and guests anxiously watch the 2004 presidential results on election night President George W. Bush and his father are alumni of the fraternity. Student Life | 51

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As THE 2004 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION RESULTS INCHED CLOSER, STUDENTS HUDDLED AROUND TELEVSIONS AWAITING VICTORIOUS NUMBERS written hv MARTIN BARTLETT Itlwlns ralilml In MATTHEW SHARPE Olc Miss can turn anything into a social event, and presidential elections are no exception. While Sen. John Kerry gathered his supporters at Faneuil Hall in Boston and President George W. Bush gathered his at the Ronald Reagan Building in Washington, Ole Miss students gathered in houses, apartments, bars and restaurants to watch the first numbers trickle in. We rented out the Rib Cage from 8 p.m. to midnight. We had lots of members of the Republican Party from around Oxford adults and members of College Republicans, Judith Ann Montiel said, chairwoman of the Ole Miss College Republicans. Election night 2004 was another long one - not as long as 2000, though. We had all the TV screens going on different TV stations. When it came closing time, probably half the group had already left. The rest went down to the Republican headquarters and watched there, she said. College Democrats were also huddled around TVs, counting electoral votes and waiting and hoping. The College Democrats held their election night party at Lexington Pointe apartments. They also were up late into Tuesday night and the early hours of Wednesday morning watching states turn red and blue. College Democrats President Aaron Rollins said by the time it finally rolled around. Election Day was a welcome resting place on a tiring months-long journey. So much goes into a campaign and. it ' s like all the work you ' ve done for the whole campaign season all comes down to one night, he said. It ' s like your reward. Election Night 2004, though, was more rewarding for College Republicans. While Democrats were biting their nails watching results come in from Florida and Ohio, Republicans were amassing a comfortable margin. On election night, it was just such a relief that the day had finally come because so many people had been working hard for this common goal, she said. It was time to celebrate that, Montiel said. Win, lose or draw, the big issues of 2004 election ignited tempers and evoked passion. More people voted nationally than had ever before. But in Mississippi, elections are always big BH I think people in our area are very passionate people on many things - politics, sports, religion this year we ' ve seen thai passion play out in politics. Everybody has an opinion, Montiel said. But passions aren ' t reserved for Republicans at Ole Miss. Most of the politicians in Mississippi come from Ole Miss. It ' s the most political school in Mississippi, I can safely say. It ' s On election mght It was just such a relie that the day hac hnally come because so many people hac been workme hare one of the most in the Southeast, Rollins said. The state of Mississippi played the role everyone expected: Bush carried the state, Mississippi was one of 1 1 states whose voters put their seal of approval on a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage, and U.S. Rep. Roger Wicker, R- Miss., was resoundingly re-elected. In that sense, the 2004 election cycle was business and usual. Nationally, the 2004 election was as energizing as it was explosive. Republicans hung onto majorities in both Congressional houses in addition to winning the presidency. But Democrats have fired a shot across the bow of the GOP: They say even in Mississippi they ' re not going anywhere. It was encouraging to me. We ' re going keep on working hard, and we ' re going to show the Republicans that it ' s not going to be that easy, Rollins said. 50 I Till, Ole Miss 2005

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n,elS2004TexasHoJ.m Champion was Will SobecKi. t- « LFUN AND GAMES With over 30 activities available during the school year, intramural sports has become a favorite competitive pasttime for ole miss students, facutly and staff v ' eeks, teams put hours into preparing Ihe final competition. ' When it arrives, everyone is in a down-to- -buzzer intense condition. That last match is crucial. It (Iclcrmines who walks away with nothing and who gains glory, an Intramural Champion T-shirt and their picture in the Turner Center among previous winners. For those who claim ilic title as Intramural Champions, as well as lor their opposition, the opportunity to i)c inv ' oKcd in intramural activities at () c Miss is an awesome experience. My friends and I are able to get together in an enjoyable atmosphere to pursue a goal in an athletic endeavor, senior Kelvin Holmes said. Whether win or lose, intramural competitors have a great time. Intramurals are open to all students, faculty and staff. Almost 50 percent of the student body participates in an event each year. It is not just for great athletes; normal Almost 50 percent of the student body participates in an intramural event each year. people play, said Alex Scrimpshire, a staff member in the intramural department of Campus Recreation. The olFice offers a total of : 1 activities wntlen by ELAN WALKER throughout the fall, spring and summer sessions. 1 hey range from flag football, basketball, soccer and softball, the most common sports, to poker, bowling and excn X-Box tournaments. Scrimpshire said the intramural sjiorts oOice uses money from the student activities fee to provide fun, a good social environment, an opportunity for exercise and a chance to get away from school and books. Flyers, table tents and even cups are circulated around campus to display the season ' s schedule. Students train and earn mone - as officials of the sports. Team ca|)tains form greek, men ' s, women ' s, co-recreational and faculty slalf teams by the registration deadline. Students who are interested l)ut who don ' l have a learn sign up as free agents and are 52 I The OLE Miss 2005