Alumni Today, Gone Tomorrow?
The University of Mississippi prides it self in many things including being more then just a place of learning but a life long family. It is no surprise with a motto like that; that this University has one of the top Alumni Associations in the country as well as a major support system from its current and graduate students.
Brandon Hudspeth, marketing coordinator for the University of Mississippi Athletics programs said, “You spend four years of your life in this town, with these people. Whenever I see red and blue together I think of Ole Miss. It’s something that you can quickly identify with and relate with even if you don’t know the person wearing those colors, you find a common ground.”
But with change comes some concern . The University built on tradition was recently rocked by the announcement of a new on field mascot. Rumors began to circulate that many alumni would soon drop their donations and support if this mascot took the place of long time iconic symbol “Colonel Reb.”
Missy Roberts, an alumna from ’92 said, “My father was a long time sponcer for the football team and after all that has gone on with this school he refused to donate his time and money to the program out of rage. I think that this is something that could tear our unity apart and many alumni are torn to keep donating money to a school that didn’t listen to their wants and needs when it came to this issue.”
The financial statements for the 2010 year show there might very well be an issue with funding through alumni participation. The budget for Alumni activities were cut nearly in half by the University. These financial records also show an increase in payments alumni must make to contribute to the association.
Hudspeth said that though the Grove was booming on game days ticket sales have been lower this year then previous years possibly due to the poor home game schedule or lack of entertainment on the field this season.
Some “perks” that have kept the sponsors interest include season passes to sports events and membership to certain clubs such as the diamond club for the baseball season. The Alumni association has recently expanded it’s building on campus spending millions in renovations. http://www.alumni.olemiss.edu/
So in these economic times, could change prompt a financial pull out for sponsors the university relies on? As of now many say it is too early to tell. But this University if this university is a family, change will not tear it apart.
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