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

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Oxford is a unique town. Southern, yes, and small as well, it holds a perspective that people assume is stereotypical; however, there lies more to it than one can see at first glance. For example, there is a skate park down by the Public Library, squeezed in-between the Boys and Girls Club and the Public Swimming Pool. This skate park has a history of being a local hangout for high school and home schooled kids during the day and night. One time, Tony Hawk even skated there. The most interesting skaters, though, are the ones easily discernable among the rest from their noticeable height advantage and advanced facial hair: the college kids. Now, the motives for younger children to jump on tiny pieces of wood and hurl themselves around a concrete bowl are obvious. They are indestructible motion-machines provided a healthy outlet by the local skate park. Also, like those who play baseball and other sports, there are heroes, like Hawk and others, for the kids to idolize. What motivation then drives these older skaters? Brian Cage, owner of Suite 10 Skateboards in Oxford, says that the biggest advantage to skateboarding is that it pushes the individual to improve themselves while encouraging an active lifestyle. It like with a ball diamond, a soccer field, the bike trails, or anything that gets somebody active. Especially to get active in a sport that pushes you to get better than your peers in a positive way. Anytime you try something new and are pushed by your peers, it is going to be positive. You can transition that to school, your job, or whatever. It ' s what we make of it. Cage reflects on the quality of the skate park. I have lived here for 24 out of my 36 years, and I never would have thought we would have this. When I am down there I don ' t even think I am in Oxford anymore. When I was a kid, we had to travel 5 or 6 hours to a park where pros would come. Is it really that good? When you have a free park to the public that costs 475,000 dollars and in the first two years that it is open you have pros like Tony Hawk come that is how good a park we have. The great thing about the park is that it is free, and the great thing about skateboarding is that you have diversity, from kids to University students. Matt Hosey, a self-proclaimed older skater, reflects on his reasons to walk down University Avenue to the park, revealing the hold that the sport has even as one ages. It ' s a self-achievement. It is something I want to be good at. It is a very rewarding sport, and I have the utmost respect for those who do it well. Achieving my goals for me is so rewarding. That is why I continue to walk down there. What about falling? Does that hurt more than it used to? Not too good. But it gets better. Once you fall down so many times, you learn how to fall down without getting hurt. The age difference does not really matter to Hosey. It ' s kind of weird for me too, because I always felt that I was the younger one, and now I have kids looking up to me. I wouldn ' t say I feel like a role model, but I try to be encouraging. I think its fun. I met this kid once, who said, ' How old do you think I am? ' I said 16. He was actually 14. This kid shreds better than anyone there almost. He is on up there. Hosey said he would continue to skate as long as possible. Until I can ' t skate anymore, or probably until I outgrow my youthful vigor. That ' s what I love about skating though, is that you don ' t even have to pull big tricks to have fun. You can just skate, and it is fun in itself. The Ole Nliss | 023

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STORY BY SAMANTHA CASE ILLUSTRATION BY ASHLEY DEES Fourteen hundred red and blue trashcans dot the a 13-acre section of the University of Mississippi campus. Hundreds of football-thirsty fans rush from every direction towards The Grove to claim the perfect plot for their tent. It ' s just another fall Friday in Oxford, and much is under way to prepare for the over 100-year-old tradition of tailgating in the legendary Grove. No, it ' s not football season; it ' s Grove season. What makes the tailgating in The Grove worthy of being named the No. 2 sporting event in the world by ESPN? Maybe it ' s the football- shaped cupcakes or the plasma screen televisions or the chandeliers Between the tent, chairs, food, hanging above the elaborate spreads. But, what has really earned Organizing a tent Can be The Grove this esteemed L - extremely Stressfu I ranking is the rich . t • n- ,. . J , . Liza oimmons tradition and camaraderie shared by the Ole Miss fan family. makes them feel like we are taking time and effort to support the Rebels. Also, I really like to be super fashionable. On game day, what was just a plot of grass the day before becomes the site of the main event. Beginning in the North end of the Grove and ending at the edge of Vaught- Hemingway Stadium on All- American Drive, these tent plots are everywhere. Next comes the Grove menu. From fried chicken to barbecue and from delectable trays of fruit and cheese to coolers full of refreshing beverages. The Grove sees all sorts of delectable goodies on game day, making the denizens mouths water as they pass by. To an outsider who ' s been brainwashed by the stereotypical rumors of The Grove elaborate fans and decorations, this all may seem a little much just for tailgating. Against the stereotype of This close family is made up of thousands of fans who the snotty attitude, southern hospitality is epitomized in The Senior, Psychology have traveled from every corner of the country, even from places as far away as Illinois, Maryland, Texas or North Carolina. Although from many different places leading drastically different lives, the fans of Ole Miss come together to share one thing; to partake in something greater than themselves; and to carry on the tradition of tailgating in The Grove. The fans of the University of Mississippi never fail to impress. It is all about style, and the students and fans of Ole Miss know how to arrive looking the part. Upon seeing the beautiful ladies in stilettos and the perfect dress and the Grove. Any one of our classy and friendly fans will graciously welcome anyone in to their tent with open arms to their amenities and into the Ole Miss family. Between the tent, chairs, food, drinks, television and flowers, organizing a tent can be extremely stressful, Liza Simmons, senior psychology major from Columbia, said. The best idea is to split up jobs between friends and family, so you ' re not completely overwhelmed Friday night. Groving season does come with many preparations, including carrying coolers, tents and chairs from that parking place all the way across campus, but most agree these are well handsome gentlemen in sear-sucker pants and a polo, there is worth the trouble to participate in The Grove experience, no mistaking that you have arrived in the greatest place in the Each fan plays an important role in the story of The Grove South to cheer on the football team. tailgating tradition. And, each Saturday, whether the football I like to dress up in The Grove because I think that it team wins or loses, the social spectacular that is The Grove shows respect for the team, Sunny Eicholtz, senior never slows down, hospitality management major from Louisville, Ky., said. It Tlie Ole Miss | 025