The University. Bennett Auditorium

The University The University of Southern Mississippi (Southern Miss) The University of Southern Mississippi, founded in 1910, is a comprehensive, du...
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The University The University of Southern Mississippi (Southern Miss) The University of Southern Mississippi, founded in 1910, is a comprehensive, dual-campus, public institution. The university offers an extensive array of programs leading to bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees through its five colleges: arts and letters, business and economic development, education and psychology, health and science and technology. The Southern Miss community is student-centered, building the university around the fundamental mission of educating students. Southern Miss has established a national reputation in research and teaching, and is dedicated to advancing the social, economic and cultural well-being of the residents of Mississippi and the greater Gulf South region. Southern Miss is classified by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching as a “Doctoral/Research-Extensive” university, placing it in the top 150 comprehensive institutions in the nation. This honor confirms the Southern Miss international reputation for academic excellence and ground-breaking research. Its people, programs, mix, location and achievements make The University of Southern Mississippi a perfect choice for advancing education.

Locations Southern Miss is the only dual-campus institution in the state of Mississippi, with the original campus in Hattiesburg and the new campus in Long Beach. The university also has teaching and research sites along the Gulf Coast and across the ocean. They include: Stennis Space Center, Jackson County Center, Keesler Air Force Base, J.L. Scott Marine Education Center and Aquarium, Gulf Coast Research Laboratory, Point Cadet and Pontelvoy, France.

Structure Southern Miss is Mississippi’s second-largest institution of higher learning and became a comprehensive university in 1962. The administrative structure includes a president, two provosts (one for the Hattiesburg campus and one for the Gulf Coast campus), five vice presidents and deans of five colleges: arts and letters, business and economic development, education and psychology, health and science and technology.

Accreditation The University of Southern Mississippi is accredited by the Commission of Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award bachelor’s, master’s, specialist’s and doctoral degrees. Also, many university programs have earned prestigious accreditation from appropriate national organizations.

Alumni Association and The USM Foundation With more than 115,000 graduates and record enrollment, Southern Miss has become an academic, as well as athletic, powerhouse. Thousands of gradu198

Bennett Auditorium ates and friends of Southern Miss want to see their university reach the highest levels of success. Two organizations poised to assist supporters in advancing Southern Miss are the Alumni Association and The USM Foundation. You can become involved through a simple phone call or e-mail. Numerous “adopted Eagles” join alumni to volunteer their time to assist with recruiting the best and brightest students. Some help with job placement for graduates, and many contribute annually to scholarships, athletics and academic facilities. The Honor Club and the Founders’ Society are two programs that recognize the generosity of our donors through The USM Foundation, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation, which allows donors a tax advantage within the limits of IRS regulations, in addition to the satisfaction that comes with support of a worthy cause. Membership in the Alumni Association affords alumni an opportunity to stay in touch with classmates and their alma mater. Whether you are a Southern Miss graduate or an adopted Golden Eagle, the Development Office invites you to promote the university’s legacy of academic and athletic excellence. Contact the Alumni Association at 601-266-5013 or [email protected], or the USM Foundation at 601-266-5602 for more information on how you can become involved. You may access the Alumni Association’s Web site at www.SouthernMissAlumni.com or The USM Foundation’s Web site at www.usm.edu/foundation.

Arts Southern Miss has long distinguished itself as the arts center of south Mississippi, and, indeed, for the entire Southeastern United States, and is a national and international center for the training of artists, musicians, dancers, actors, scholars and arts teachers. To provide its students with well-rounded preparation for professional and teaching careers in one of the many branches of art, music, dance and theater, the College of Arts and Letters offers courses of study centered around a core of theoretical, historical and performance activities. The college includes the Department of Art, the School of Music and the Department of Theatre and Dance, with all areas being nationally accredited. This distinction makes Southern Miss one of only 21 arts colleges in the United States and the only college offering all programs in Mississippi. Because the College attracts individuals throughout the United States and abroad, our students possess extraordinary talent and uncommon verve. Our ensembles have performed by invitation in Europe and Asia, as well as in New York City, Washington, D.C., Chicago and Atlanta, to name a few. With more than 300 arts events per year through concerts, exhibitions, plays and other special performances, Southern Miss offers exciting and diverse ways to experience and participate in the arts. Further, the college has a long history of bringing to campus world-class performers and artists like 2 0 0 5 S o u t h e r n M i s s Fo o t b a l l

The University Placido Domingo, Itzhak Perlman, Yo-Yo Ma, Ray Charles, Marvin Hamlisch, B. B. King and Doc Severinsen. These arts opportunities, along with a renowned faculty dedicated to providing a quality education to the students, make Southern Miss the place to be for the arts.

Budget The total budget for fiscal year 2004-2005 for The University of Southern Mississippi for general and auxiliary funds is $194,864,197. This includes general fund budgets for the Hattiesburg campus, Gulf Coast campus, Gulf Coast Research Laboratory, Center for Higher Learning at Stennis Space Center and the Mississippi Polymer Institute.

Degrees

1999, which surveys guidance counselors in public as well as private high schools, reports that guidance counselors across the nation single out The University of Southern Mississippi as a top school in a halfdozen categories, including “Best Value for Your Money.” All fees are subject to change without notice.

International Programs

The University offers 97 undergraduate degree programs and 91 graduate degree programs. During the 2004-2005 fiscal year, 3,181 degrees were awarded. Southern Miss has awarded more than 100,000 degrees in its 90-year history.

Each year approximately 700 students take part in Southern Miss study-abroad programs. Southern Miss international programs Enrollment have consistently The enrollment for fall 2004 was 16,385. Southern achieved national recogThames Polymer Science Building Miss students come from 81 Mississippi counties, 47 nition, offering summer, states and 63 foreign countries. semester and year-long to spend a semester or year abroad while earning programs in nearly 20 countries world-wide (including Fees USM credit. Freshmen and sophomores also have a England, Mexico, France, Cuba, Jamaica, Vietnam, Tuition and fees per semester are $2,053 for unique opportunity to satisfy core Southern Miss Canada and Australia, to name a few). Mississippi residents. Residence hall rent is $1,260 credit through a semester of study in France at The The University’s flagship British Studies Program, to $1,505 per semester (depending on the hall), and a Abbey, which is in the heart of the Loire Valley. Set one of the largest of its kind, sends approximately 7-day meal plan is $900-$1,000 for campus residents in an 11th century Benedictine abbey, The Abbey 200 students and 20 faculty to London for five weeks per semester. The Kaplan Newsweek College Catalog semester program allows students to strengthen their each summer. Literature and theatre students attend language skills and explore their European neighborShakespearean plays hood, while providing an exciting learning experience at the Globe Theatre; that incorporates a European approach into an criminal justice majors American-style curriculum. Look for our similar learn about the latest Semester in Spain program to debut in Granada in in crime-fighting techthe fall of 2006. niques from Scotland Southern Miss study-abroad programs are Yard; and WWII histodesigned so that students with virtually any major or ry students cross the minor can take part. Participation affords students English Channel to the chance to enhance their scholastic curriculum splash ashore at while acquiring the international experience so vital Normandy while hearfor success in today’s global economy. And, with ing first-hand accounts most financial aid applicable to program costs, study from veterans who abroad at Southern Miss is an affordable option as took part in D-Day. well as an unparalleled learning opportunity. Most For students who wish students count their involvement in the study-abroad to immerse themprogram among their most exciting learning experiselves in an extended ences. We hope you’ll join them! academic and cultural experience abroad, Libraries Southern Miss offers a Library resources and services at The University of variety of semester Southern Mississippi are available at four facilities: and year-long prothe Joseph Anderson Cook Library and the William D. grams. International McCain Library and Archives on the Hattiesburg camexchange partnerships pus, the new three-story library on the Gulf Coast with institutions from Campus in Long Beach and the Gunter Library at the seven countries enable Gulf Coast Research Laboratory. The Library also Kennard-Washington Hall our juniors and seniors SouthernMiss.com

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The University Southern Miss Gulf Coast Campus

maintains an extensive web site which provides services, electronic journals and books, and bibliographic and full-text databases to students and faculty around the world. Library holdings include almost 2 million volumes, more than 22,000 online and print journals, 20,000 electronic books and a variety of online databases which support the University’s programs.

Southern Miss Gulf Coast The University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Coast brings the excellence that is Southern Miss to the people of the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Working with the main campus, both Hattiesburg and the Gulf Coast provide unique, educational experiences with world-class academic and service programs. The nonresidential, Gulf Park Campus offers bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, specialist’s degrees and doctoral degrees. Academic divisions on the Coast consist of the College of Arts and Letters, the College of Business, the College of Education and Psychology, the College of Health and the College of Science and Technology. Gulf Coast provides a flexible learning delivery system designed to meet the educational needs of Coast citizens. New courses and programs are added as student demand warrants and resources permit. A sufficient number of courses are available so students may earn their entire degree(s) with majors and emphases in the degrees listed under each college. Southern Miss’s beautiful Gulf Park campus in Long Beach is situated on sixty-five acres overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. Majestic oak trees and colorful azaleas adorn the campus, which is the site of the famous Friendship Oak - a magnificent live oak tree aged 500-plus years. Other University of Southern Mississippi teaching sites on the Gulf Coast include: • The Keesler Teaching Site at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Miss. 200

• The Jackson Co. Teaching Site in Gautier, Miss. • The Stennis Space Center Teaching Site in Hancock County, Miss. • The J. L. Scott Marine Education Center and Aquarium in Biloxi, Miss. • The Gulf Coast Research Laboratory and Cedar Point Expansion Project in Ocean Springs, Miss.

The Gulf Park Campus also houses a threestory, 50,681 square-foot Advanced Education Center that boasts multimedia-enhanced classrooms, equipped with high-tech computer and communication connections, and a 500-seat auditorium. The state-of-the-art Library on the Gulf Park Campus provides students with a wealth of library resources and media collections. This 54,236 square foot facility is the only comprehensive university library on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. The mission of Southern Miss at Keesler Air Force Base is to provide courses, programs and services designed to meet the unique needs of the Keesler community. Southern Miss at Keesler is centrally located and offers on-base bachelor’s degrees in American Studies and Psychology and a master’s and bachelor’s degree in Technical Occupational Education. Southern Miss at Keesler works closely with Keesler’s Education Services Flight to provide excellent customer service in the areas of registration, advisement and tuition assistance for Cook Library on-base degree programs and most off-base degree programs. Southern Miss Jackson County is on the Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College campus on Highway 90 in Gautier, Miss. Located in Building S on the southeast side of the campus, the Southern Miss Jackson County teaching site provides registration, advisement, financial aid information, tuition col-

lection and a wide selection of undergraduate and graduate classes for the convenience of students along the eastern Gulf Coast. The Industrial Engineering Technology degree program is located exclusively on the coast at Southern Miss Jackson County to provide educational support for the many industries in the area. Through the use of an Interactive Video Network, the Jackson County Center can connect the students of Jackson County to classes offered at the Gulf Park and Hattiesburg campuses. The Gulf Coast Research Laboratory (GCRL) in Ocean Springs and the J. L. Scott Marine Education Center and Aquarium in Biloxi are two more Southern Miss teaching sites along the scenic Gulf of Mexico. The Department of Coastal Sciences at GCRL is a research and graduate education department offering programs leading to the Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Science degrees. As a research intensive unit, COA’s graduate program offers excellent opportunities for students to immerse themselves in applied as well as basic research to help the state of Mississippi and the nation better protect, manage and enhance its marine resources. The Southern Miss Department of Marine Science in Hancock County is home to a multidisciplinary program of graduate study and research in marine environments and offers the following degree programs: • Master of Science in Marine Science • Ph.D. in Marine Science • Master of Science in Hydrographic Science Areas of specialization include biological, geological and physical oceanography as well as marine chemistry and hydrography. In October 2003, the Department of Marine Science opened the 17,000square-foot George A. Knauer Marine Science Building which houses multimedia-enhanced classrooms and cutting-edge laboratories.

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The University Located at Stennis Space Center, the Department of Marine Science is strategically situated in the single largest population of oceanographers and hydrographers in the world. Both faculty and students benefit from Stennis’ designation as NASA’s lead center for rocket propulsion testing and earth science enterprise.

Research During FY 2004, The University of Southern Mississippi received more than $69 million from external sponsors for research. This constitutes a $19 million increase over the $50.1 million received in FY 2001. Over the last four years, The University has tripled the size of its research enterprise as external awards have grown from $20.1 million to over $69 million last year. These resources are invaluable in a number of ways: • Enhancement of our students’ learning experiences • Recognition of our colleagues’ ideas through the peer-review process in both public and private sectors • Support for participatory learning programs in advanced graduate and undergraduate programs The growth of our research/education enterprise, when coupled with achievement of the Carnegie Foundation’s designation as a “Doctoral/ResearchExtensive Institution”, brings significant national attention to our university. This significant national recognition validates the high quality of our strong graduate programs, undergraduate programs and our students. Research and sponsored programs are a significant part of total university operations that benefit students as well as the citizens of the state. External funding makes possible the operation of nationally competitive programs while providing enhanced learning experiences for both undergraduate and graduate students. Further emphasizing the strides made by the Southern Miss research enterprise is the continuing growth of activities integrating learning, scholarship and public service in Mississippi communities.

Student Life Southern Miss is distinctive for its friendly, engaging, student-centered learning community. Our Division of Student Affairs is known nationally for its innovative programming, services and facilities, including the First Year Experience, community service-learning, leadership scholars program, student employment services and the award-winning Payne Center recreation facility. More than 250 active student organizations beckon students to complement their studies by participating in Greek life, clubs, recreational sports, professional societies and fine arts events.

SouthernMiss.com

SOUTHERN MISS’ PROMINENT ALUMNI Natalie Allen ’84 – Broadcast professional, currently with MSNBC Major General Buford Blount ’71 – Commander of the U.S. Army’s 3rd Infantry Division, who led ground troops to fight the war against Iraq Chad Bradford – Currently pitching with Major League Baseball’s Boston Red Sox Lloyd D. Brinkman ’53 – Owner of L.D. Brinkman Carpet Company, owner of Mr. Gatti’s Pizza Phil Bryant ’77 – State Auditor Jimmy Buffett ’69 – Singer, songwriter, author … One of only six authors to have a bestseller on both the fiction and nonfiction rankings of The New York Times Gene Carlisle ’64 – Entrepreneur whose corporation includes more than 100 restaurants and hotels James Ray Carpenter ’50, ’51 – Former president of the Professional Golfers’ Association of America … Continues to serve on the PGA Rules Committee and has worked as an official at virtually all of the major tournament championships Keith Cobb ’63 – Currently a business consultant and strategic advisor for several companies, former CEO of Alamo Rent-A-Car Jim “Peanuts” Davenport ’56 – A former manager of Major League Baseball’s San Francisco Giants Hanford Dixon – Former NFL Pro Bowl defensive back with the Cleveland Browns Ralph Dunagin – Creator of the editorial comic strip Dunagin’s People Brett Favre – Only three-time NFL MVP, he led the Green Bay Packers to two-consecutive Super Bowls Tim Floyd – Former NBA head coach … Entering his first season as coach of the University of Southern California Trojans Evelyn Gandy – First female Lieutenant Governor in Mississippi history Gary Grubbs ’72 – Hollywood actor … Has appeared in such bigscreen productions as Oliver Stone’s JFK, Silkwood and the Astronaut’s Wife … He co-starred in NBC’s Will and Grace and has also appeared in such shows as ER, X-Files and Touched by an Angel Ray Guy ’78 – Former punter, defensive back and baseball pitcher for Southern Miss … He was the punter for the Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders for many years … He was selected as NFL’s top punter when the league selected their 75th anniversary team…First Southern Miss player ever to be inducted into College Football Hall of Fame Bobby Hamilton – Two-time Super Bowl champion and current member of the Oakland Raiders Brigadier General Jeff Hammond ’78, ‘83 – Military leader who took the lead battalion into Bosnia, and serves as the assistant commander for support of the 1st Cavalry Division, stationed in Iraq … Played three seasons for the Golden Eagles, serving as team captain as a senior Randall Howard ’70 – Currently the chair of Hibernia Bank, Southeast Louisiana region Ted Jackson ’84 – Pulitzer Prize winning photojournalist Margaret Loesch ’68 – President and CEO of the Odyssey Channel … Former president of Fox Children’s Network and was responsible for the programming of The Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, Where on Earth is Carmen Sandiego? and Smurfs Tom “Bones” Malone – A member of the Blues Brothers Band (he appeared in both movies), he is currently with the David Letterman band Michael Marks ’77, ’79 – Named National Performing Arts Teacher of the Year in 1995-96 by the Walt Disney/McDonald’s American Teacher Awards … A former teacher at Hattiesburg High School, he served as president of the Mississippi Association of Education … Marks was recently elected an executive committee member of the National Education Association Oseola McCarty ’98 – Gained national attention in July 1995 when she announced the donation of her life’s savings of $150,000 to Southern Miss … Honored by President Bill Clinton

with the Presidential Citizens Medal, the nation’s second-highest civilian award … Won the United Nations Avicenna Medal for educational commitment Marilyn Mims ’76 – Internationally famous opera singer … She has performed in such locales as Carnegie Hall and the Metropolitan Opera House and has performed with the New York City Opera Perry Phenix – Member of the 2000 AFC Champion Tennessee Titans John “Bubba” Phillips ’51, ’53 – Played with Major League Baseball’s Chicago White Sox in the 1959 World Series against the Dodgers Todd Pinkston ’00 – Currently a member of the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles … Helped lead the Eagles to three-straight NFC Championship Games, as well as the 2004 Super Bowl Edwin Pittman ’57 – Former Chief Justice of the Mississippi Supreme Court Jeffrey Posey – Currently a member of the NFL’s Buffalo Bills Lou Ann Poynter ’69, ’70 – Former Senior Executive Vice President of Union Planters Bank Sally-Ann Roberts ’74, ’76 – Co-host of the Eyewitness Morning News on WWL-TV in New Orleans … It is the highest-rated local morning newscast in the nation Bruce Rossmeyer – Owner of one of the top Harley Davidson dealerships in the nation. Chuck Scarborough ’69 – Anchor for WNBC News in New York (also does national NBC news) David Sheffield ’72 – Script writer … Did work for Saturday Night Live and also wrote Police Academy II and Coming to America Brigadier General Robert L. Stewart ’64 – Director of Plans for the United States Space Command and Commander of the U.S. Army element, North American Aerospace Defense NASA in 1978, qualifying as an astronaut the following year. He was mission specialist on two space shuttle flights and participated in two extravehicular activities (EVA) involving the use of a Manned Maneuvering Unit. This was the first time ever that astronauts performed untethered operations from a space craft in flight Nan Sumrall ’88 – The 1985 Miss Mississippi is currently co-host of Prime Time Country on The Nashville Network Pat Surtain – Currently a member of the NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs Adalius Thomas ’00 – Currently plays for the NFL’s Baltimore Ravens … Member of the 2001 NFL Super Bowl Champions Walter Washington ’70 – First African-American to receive doctorate in Mississippi … Former President of Alcorn State University Clarence Weatherspoon ’92 – Former Golden Eagle basketball standout … Won the Metro Conference Freshman of the Year award, then was named Metro Conference Player of the Year three seasons in a row … Was a lottery pick of the Philadelphia 76ers, played for Golden State Warriors, the Miami Heat, the New York Knicks and now a member of the Houston Rockets of the NBA Lloyd Wells ’60 – Former music director for Opryland … He also served as Tennessee Ernie Ford’s director and convinced the singer to donate his music library to Southern Miss Dr. Delores B. “Dottie” White ’59, ’69 – Currently a professor at Henderson State University in Arkansas, she played baseball in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, which was featured in the movie A League of Their Own Jerrell Wilson ’65 – Selected second team on the NFL’s 75th Anniversary Team, giving Southern Miss the top two punters in NFL history, according to the league office Sammy Winder ’83 – The 1980 NCAA football scoring champion went on to a Pro Bowl career with the Denver Broncos … He helped lead them to a trio of Super Bowl appearances Major General Walter H. Yates, Jr. ’63 – Serving as Deputy Commanding General V (U.S.) Corps, United States Army- Europe … He previously served as Commanding General of the U.S. Army in Berlin, Germany, and the Berlin Brigade

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Administration

Dr. Shelby F. Thames PRESIDENT

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r. Shelby F. Thames is the eighth president of The University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, Miss. He took office on May 1, 2002, continuing an illustrious career of 40 years at Southern Miss. His previous administrative positions at Southern Miss were chair of the Department of Polymer Science, dean of the College of Science and Technology, vice president for Administration and Regional Campuses, and executive vice president. In 1970, he was the founder of the Department of Polymer Science and, in 1973, co-founder of the

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Waterborne and High-Solids Coatings Symposium, an event that has expanded to the annual International Waterborne, High-Solids, and Powder Coatings Symposium, in which he continues as its co-director. He sought and gained approval for the enhancement of the College of Science to the College of Science and Technology by creating several new technology programs. He was instrumental in the conception and implementation of the “2+2 Degree Program” between Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College and Southern Miss Gulf Coast, which provided a bachelor’s degree program course work on the Mississippi Gulf Coast in more than 26 subject areas. Another of his many accomplishments involves three entities created to improve statewide economics: Mississippi Polymer Institute; International Coatings and Formulations Institute; and Southern Diversified Products, LLC (a Mississippi University Research Authority company). Among his numerous honors and awards are the designation as Distinguished University Research Professor of the Department of Polymer Science; recipient of the first Distinguished Professorship by the Southern Society of Coatings Technology, the 1996 Southern Miss Alumni Association Continuous Service Award, the 1998 NUC Wheeler McMillan Award for his work with agricultural products, and the 1999 AAIC Anson Ellis Thompson Career Achievement Award for his career in promoting the use of agricultural-based materials as industrial raw materials; and inductee in 1998 to the Southern Miss’ Alumni Hall of Fame. In 1998, Southern Miss’ $29 million Polymer Science Research Center was named in honor of Thames and is now known as the Shelby Freland Thames Polymer Science Research Center. For bridging the gap between academia and industry and his work in research activities in the area of paint and coatings, Thames has been recognized as the 2002 R&D Person of the Year by Modern Paint and Coatings magazine. In 2004, Thames was recognized as one of South Mississippi’s Outstanding Community Leaders by the Sun Herald and the Journal of South Mississippi Business. At the time of his selection as president of Southern Miss, Thames had a research team numbering 50 and supervised five graduate students. Most recently, this team is known for the new environmentally safe paint based on agricultural products, which emitting no odor or harmful properties into the environment. One of the initial uses of the paint, called “American Pride,” was used in the reconstruction and repair of the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. Thames currently serves on the Board of

Directors for Conference USA and the Mississippi Technology Alliance. Dr. Thames earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from The University of Southern Mississippi in chemistry and organic chemistry, and his doctoral degree from the University of Tennessee in organic chemistry.

Richard Giannini DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS/ CHAIRMAN AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF THE SOUTHERN MISS ATHLETIC FOUNDATION

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ince arriving as Director of Athletics in 1999, the impact of Richard Giannini’s leadership and vision for Southern Miss athletics has been both positive and dramatic, and the face of Golden Eagle athletics will reflect his vision for the department far into the future. Culminating an extensive search, Giannini officially assumed his current position June 1, 1999, pledging, “to work tirelessly to provide leadership to produce the best athletic program possible.” And now, in his seventh year as a Golden Eagle, the Florida native has been as good as his word. In the past six years, Giannini has spearheaded efforts to raise more than $43 million in property, cash and pledges for new facilities, including the development of the Circle of Champions program, which currently has 78 members, who each committed $100,000. Construction on the $11 million Athletic Center to replace an aging Fairchild Fieldhouse has been completed and is in full use. And while this may be the centerpiece for athletic department progress, fans almost need a roadmap to keep track of the many projects and the unbelievable progress that is taking place. The Roger, Thames and Welch Baseball Center at Pete Taylor Park, furnished with dressing rooms, coaches’ offices, players’ lounge and medical training area, was completed in 2002, and that project has 2 0 0 5 S o u t h e r n M i s s Fo o t b a l l

Administration paid huge dividends for the baseball program that, during the 2003 season, set school records for singleseason victories, won Conference USA regular season and tournament titles and hosted the first NCAA Regional Tournament in school history. A new press box and 12 suites will be added for the 2007 season with construction beginning in spring 2006. In addition, a new women’s softball facility has been in use for the past four seasons. Additions and improvements continue at that venue. A variety of other, less obvious projects, either have been completed, are underway, or are in the planning stages. Those include the recently installed artificial playing surface on Carlisle-Faulkner Field at M. M. Roberts Stadium, improvements to the Joe P. Park football practice facility that included a new lighting system and the addition of new lighting to Roberts Stadium and the softball complex. In addition, a $50 million facility upgrade is underway, to include renovation and expand projects at both Roberts Stadium and Green Coliseum. Various phases of these projects are underway. Those include three major phases at Green Coliseum – the first of which has been completed – where a new air conditioning and heating system has been installed; coaches’ offices and locker room renovations and additions, set to begin in November of 2005; and, renovation that will follow in 2007 to include luxury suites, concession stands upgrades, the addition of a banquet room, the addition of more chairback seating and more courtside seating, as well as making the building more “concert-friendly.” Other projects in various stages of planning include a new tennis complex, completion of the softball stadium, and a new Olympic Sports Training Center. Thirty luxury suites have been leased and 400 club seating areas comprise the cornerstone of the Roberts Stadium project. That project also will dramatically increase the stadium’s seating capacity. The south end-zone project will begin in March of 2006, to be completed for the 2007 season. During his tenure at Southern Miss, the Golden Eagles have been the only Conference USA program to have won championships in the sports of football

(1996, 1997, 1999 and 2003), men’s basketball (2001) and baseball (2003). Giannini also has continued to work at both the conference and national levels. He serves on several Conference USA committees, was chairman of the CUSA football athletic director’s committee in 2001-02 and currently serves as the chairman of the Football and Bowl Committee. Giannini recently completed a term on the NCAA Football Issues Committee and begins a four-year term as a member of the NCAA Championships Cabinet. He also is a member of the NCAA postseason football committee which governs the bowl games and represents C-USA Athletics Directors at BCS meetings. One of the areas that Giannini is proudest of is the graduation rates and Academic Progress Rates of the Southern Miss student-athletes. Last year, the NCAA graduation rate for all athletes was 67 percent, football was 79 percent and men’s basketball 100 percent. The APR rate had every program above the bench mark rate of 925. Southern Miss ranks as an academic leader in the State of Mississippi, the C-USA and the nation. A tireless and innovative administrator, Giannini brought outstanding intercollegiate athletic experience to Hattiesburg, including five years as director of athletics at one of Southern Miss’ longtime interstate rivals, Louisiana-Monroe. While working for the NCAA in the mid-1970s, Giannini’s responsibilities included serving as executive producer of the ABC Football Highlight Shows, as well as NCAA Tournament basketball games not aired by NBC. He also arranged and produced the first national telecast of the College Baseball World Series for HBO, and produced numerous conference football highlight films. He was also director of licensing for the NCAA. He served as assistant sports information director at Florida (his

alma mater) from 1966 to 1970, was sports information director at Duke from 1970 to 1973, became assistant athletics director at Duke in 1974, and, after working for the NCAA in 1976 and 1977, returned to Florida as senior associate athletics director to oversee external affairs. He left Florida in 1986 to enter the private sector, taking over as CEO and co-owner of Raycom Management Group in Charlotte, N.C., a subsidiary of Raycom Sports, where he developed numerous sporting events, including the Blockbuster Bowl, the most successful first-year bowl in NCAA history. Giannini’s successes have not gone unnoticed. He recently was inducted into the University of Florida’s College of Health and Human Performance Hall of Fame in March of 2004 and the Saint Leo University Athletics Hall of Fame in February of 2005. The Golden Eagle athletics director was born Nov. 12, 1942; is a 1961 graduate of Winter Park, Fla., High School; was a track athlete, competing in the weight events, at Furman; and graduated from the University of Florida in 1966. Giannini and his wife, Gayle, are parents of four daughters–Ansley Stone, Brittney Borbash, Carlyn Linker, and DeLancey, and grandparents of Tori, Parker, Sara, Kelsey, Ryleigh, and Kyle.

SENIOR ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF

David Hansen Senior Associate Director of Athletics

SouthernMiss.com

Scott Carr

Don Oberhelman

Associate Director of Athletics/ Associate Director of Athletics/ External Affairs Compliance and Student Services

Sonya Varnell

Dr. Dennis Phillips

Associate Director of Athletics for Olympic Sports/Senior Woman Administrator

Faculty Representative to Athletics

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Athletic Staff Directory (All phone numbers are area code 601) Main Switchboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .266-5017

ADMINISTRATION (ATHLETIC CENTER) Director of Athletics/Chief Financial Officer of Athletic Foundation Richard Giannini . . . . . . . .266-5422 Senior Associate Director of Athletics . . . . . . . . . .David Hansen . . . . . . . . . .266-5422 Associate Director of Athletics/Olympic Sports/Senior Woman Administrator Sonya Varnell . . . . . . . . . . .266-5017 Executive Secretary to the Director of Athletics . .Lynn McLelland . . . . . . . . .266-5422 Secretary, Olympic Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Nancy Williams . . . . . . . . .266-4046 Receptionist/Secretary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Margaret Hatten . . . . . . . .266-5017

ATHLETIC FOUNDATION (PAT FERLISE CENTER) Chief Financial Officer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Christi Holloway . . . . . . . .266-5299

BROADCASTING/VIDEO (ATHLETIC CENTER) Director of Sports Broadcasting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .John Cox . . . . . . . . . . . . . .266-5017 Sports Video Coordinator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Chris Hooley . . . . . . . . . . . .266-6819

BUSINESS OFFICE (ATHLETIC CENTER) Business Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Jane Massengale . . . . . . .266-5526

CHEER & DANCE Head Cheerleader Coach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Jaclyn Rivera . . . . . . . . . . .579-0312 Head Dance Team Coach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Bridgett Hunt . . . . . . . . . . .297-1988

COMPLIANCE & STUDENT SERVICES (WEST STADIUM) Associate Director of Athletics/Compliance and Student Services Don Oberhelman . . . . . . . .266-6586 Coordinator of Compliance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Kristi Pierce . . . . . . . . . . . .266-5485

EAGLE CLUB (PAT FERLISE CENTER) Executive Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Dick Vogel . . . . . . . . . . . . .266-5299 Administrative Assistant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Vickie Delancey . . . . . . . . .266-5299 Secretary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Emily Lewis . . . . . . . . . . . .266-5299

EQUIPMENT (ATHLETIC CENTER) Head Equipment Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Patrick Stewart . . . . . . . . .266-6550 Assistant Equipment Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Marty Windham . . . . . . . .266-5678

EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (ATHLETIC CENTER) Associate Director of Athletics/External Affairs . .Scott Carr . . . . . . . . . . . . . .266-5017 Coordinator of Development and Community Relations Reggie Collier . . . . . . . . . .266-6477 Coordinator of Sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Charlie Rogers . . . . . . . . . .266-6866

FACILITIES & EVENT OPERATIONS (ATHLETIC CENTER) Assistant Director of Athletics/Facilities and Event Operations Tim Atkinson . . . . . . . . . . .266-5025 Assistant Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Billy Harrington . . . . . . . . .266-6492 Operations Assistant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Jareel Combest . . . . . . . . .266-6412

LICENSING (COLLEGE HALL 210C) Director of Collegiate Licensing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Gene Fitts . . . . . . . . . . . . . .266-5164

MARKETING (ATHLETIC CENTER) Director of Marketing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Greg Herring . . . . . . . . . . .266-5017

MEDIA RELATIONS (ATHLETIC CENTER) Assistant Director of Athletics/Athletic Media Relations Mike Montoro . . . . . . . . . .266-4503 Associate Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Shirley Hill . . . . . . . . . . . . .266-4503 Assistant Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Mike Martinez . . . . . . . . . .266-4503 Assistant Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Jared Florreich . . . . . . . . . .266-4503 Secretary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ty Stewart . . . . . . . . . . . . .266-4503

INTERNATIONAL SPORTS PROPERTIES (FERLISE CENTER) Assistant Vice President, GM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Owen Shull . . . . . . . . . . . .266-7600 Assistant General Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Jamie Walker . . . . . . . . . .266-7601 Marketing Assistant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Drew King . . . . . . . . . . . . .266-7602

STUDENT ACADEMIC ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM (WEST STADIUM) Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Tracy Robinson . . . . . . . . . .266-5474 Academic Counselor/Life Skills . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Stacy Breazeale . . . . . . . . .266-5488 Academic Counselor/Life Skills . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lauren Hillman . . . . . . . . .266-5472 Academic Counselor/Life Skills . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Jonas Taylor . . . . . . . . . . . .266-5474 Secretary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Brenda Mixon . . . . . . . . . .266-5474

SPORTS MEDICINE (ATHLETIC CENTER) Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Todd McCall . . . . . . . . . . . .266-5579 Associate Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Shanda Fuqua . . . . . . . . . .266-5579 Assistant Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Deb Dunn . . . . . . . . . . . . . .266-5579 Assistant Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Jeremy Gsell . . . . . . . . . . .266-5799

204

STRENGTH & CONDITIONING (ATHLETIC CENTER) Head Coach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Charlie Dudley . . . . . . . . . .266-5017 Associate Head Coach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Chaucer Funchess . . . . . . .266-5017

TICKET OFFICE (PAT FERLISE CENTER) Assistant Director of Athletics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Shane Coghlan . . . . . . . . .266-5418 Athletic Ticket Coordinator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Joanne Morris . . . . . . . . . .266-5418 Ticket Office Representative . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Josh Cook . . . . . . . . . . . . .266-5418

BASEBALL (ROGERS, THAMES, AND WELCH BASEBALL CENTER) Head Coach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Corky Palmer . . . . . . . . . . .266-4046 Associate Head Coach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Scott Berry . . . . . . . . . . . . .266-4046 Assistant Coach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lane Burroughs . . . . . . . . .266-4046 Volunteer Assistant Coach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Josh Hoffpauir . . . . . . . . . .266-4046

BASKETBALL, MEN’S (REED GREEN COLISEUM) Head Coach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Larry Eustachy . . . . . . . . . .266-6355 Associate Head Coach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Steve Barnes . . . . . . . . . . .266-6355 Assistant Coach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ricky Wilson . . . . . . . . . . .266-6355 Assistant Coach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .TBA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .266-6355 Coordinator of Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Nate Loenser . . . . . . . . . . .266-6355 Secretary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Norma Burke . . . . . . . . . . .266-6355

BASKETBALL, WOMEN’S (REED GREEN COLISEUM) Head Coach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Joye Lee-McNelis . . . . . . .266-6444 Assistant Coach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Kirk Crawford . . . . . . . . . . .266-6444 Assistant Coach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Brooks Donald . . . . . . . . . .266-6444 Assistant Coach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Chandra Dorsey . . . . . . . . .266-6444 Coordinator of Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .TBA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .266-6444 Secretary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Chantay Dyess . . . . . . . . . .266-6444

FOOTBALL (ATHLETIC CENTER) Head Coach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Jeff Bower . . . . . . . . . . . . .266-4567 Assistant Head Coach/Tight Ends . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Randy Butler . . . . . . . . . . .266-5393 Assistant Coach/Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Backs Jay Hopson . . . . . . . . . . . .266-5393 Assistant Coach/Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Jay Johnson . . . . . . . . . . . .266-5393 Assistant Coach/Running Backs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Derrick Nix . . . . . . . . . . . . .266-5393 Assistant Coach/Defensive Ends . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ron McCrone . . . . . . . . . . .266-5393 Assistant Coach/Wide Receivers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Courtney Messingham . . .266-5393 Assistant Coach/Linebackers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lytrel Pollard . . . . . . . . . . .266-5393 Assistant Coach/Offensive Line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Mitch Rodrigue . . . . . . . . .266-5393 Assistant Coach/Defensive Line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Fred Tate . . . . . . . . . . . . . .266-5393 Assistant Director of Athletics/Football Operations .John Miller . . . . . . . . . . . .266-5393 Administrative Assistant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Jason Jones . . . . . . . . . . . .266-5393 Program Coordinator/Recruiting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ronnie Sanders . . . . . . . . .266-6536 Secretary to Head Coach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lennon Thompson . . . . . . .266-4567

GOLF, MEN’S (ATHLETIC CENTER) Head Coach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Steve Johnson . . . . . . . . . .266-4046 Assistant Coach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Matt Wofford . . . . . . . . . . .266-4046

GOLF, WOMEN’S (ATHLETIC CENTER) Head Coach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Julie Gallup . . . . . . . . . . . .266-4046 Assistant Coach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Mimmie Dymling . . . . . . . .266-4046

SOCCER (ATHLETIC CENTER) Head Coach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Gail Macklin . . . . . . . . . . . .266-4046 Associate Head Coach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Claire Rea . . . . . . . . . . . . .266-4046

SOFTBALL (ATHLETIC CENTER) Head Coach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Gay McNutt . . . . . . . . . . . .266-4046 Associate Head Coach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Cindy Wille . . . . . . . . . . . .266-4046

TENNIS, MEN’S (ATHLETIC CENTER) Head Coach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Teddy Viator . . . . . . . . . . . .266-4046 Assistant Coach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Maxim Belski . . . . . . . . . . .266-4046

TENNIS, WOMEN’S (ATHLETIC CENTER) Head Coach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Randy Rowley . . . . . . . . . .266-4046 Assistant Coach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Shelby Lipson . . . . . . . . . . .266-4046

TRACK & FIELD - MEN’S & WOMEN’S (ATHLETIC CENTER) Head Coach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Wayne Williams . . . . . . . .266-4046 Assistant Coach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Greg Stringer . . . . . . . . . . .266-4046 Assistant Coach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Kevin Stephen . . . . . . . . . .266-4046 Assistant Coach/Cross Country . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Deb Osteen . . . . . . . . . . . .266-4046

VOLLEYBALL (REED GREEN COLISEUM) Head Coach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ricci Luyties . . . . . . . . . . . .266-6355 Assistant Coach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Nicki Green . . . . . . . . . . . .266-6355 Assistant Coach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Abby Sutherland . . . . . . . .266-6355 Secretary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Norma Burke . . . . . . . . . . .266-6355

2 0 0 5 S o u t h e r n M i s s Fo o t b a l l

Athletic Facilities

T

he Southern Miss Department of Athletics unveiled a new vision a little more than two years ago. It’s a vision unlike any other that Golden Eagle followers have seen in the history of the school. It’s a vision that will help move Southern Miss to the forefront of Conference USA and beyond. When the grand-scale expansion and improvements plan was laid out in April 2003 by Director of Athletics Richard Giannini, Southern Miss began to take its first steps in becoming one of the most competitive overall programs in the nation. The comprehensive facilities initiative seeks marked improvements in every sporting venue, including M.M. Roberts Stadium and Reed Green Coliseum. Over the last few years, there have been several changes to the landscape of Southern Miss Athletics, and there are many more to come. There’s been improvements made to Pete Taylor Park with the Rogers, Thames and Welch Baseball Complex and a paved parking lot, and Roberts Stadium also has seen a bit of an improvement with the installation of Momentum Turf by Sportexe on Carlisle-Faulkner Field. Among the changes was the addition of the Athletic Center, which opened the doors in July 2002 to the first floor, containing football locker rooms, training facilities, weight room and equipment room. The second floor, containing office and meeting space, opened early in 2003, completing one of the more ambitious projects in Southern Miss athletic history. One-fourth of the $11 million building was funded through a 1996 state appropriation. All remaining funds were provided through private donations. The 60,000 square-foot Athletic Center is the pride and joy of the Southern Miss Athletic Department and benefits all student-athletes and staff members. The first floor of the facility consists of a sports medicine lab and athletic training room, weight room, equipment room, home and visiting football locker rooms and meeting space for various athletic teams. The second floor of the center houses the administrative offices for the athletic department, as well as coaches’ offices for every sport, excluding volleyball, men’s and women’s basketball and baseball. This facility replaces the Fairchild Field House, which once stood on the same grounds and had served as the

home of Southern Miss athletics since the mid 1960s. In addition to the new playing surface at Roberts Stadium, additional lighting was added in the summer of 2002, moving the venue to optimum “television quality” Athletic Center and furthering the program’s chances to be featured on nationally televised broadcasts. The Joe P. Park Practice Field also has been lighted, allowing for late-afternoon and night time practices – all of which help the Golden Eagles be a more competitive program.

Green Coliseum underwent an internal change in 2004 with the upgrade of the heating and cooling systems. These changes are just the first steps in the overall master plan that will virtually transform the Golden Eagle sports programs by vastly improving the facilities that house each and every team, and in turn, transform the entire Department of Athletics. With the goal of providing top-notch venues in mind, the innovative plan was put into place. There’s the plan to add more seating, including premium

Rogers, Thames and Welch Baseball Center

SouthernMiss.com

seating to Roberts Stadium. Along with that, improvements will be made in all areas of the gameday experience, with changes and upgrades to concessions, restrooms and the press box. The Coliseum’s improvements fall in a five-phase plan that includes the completed first phase, and additional phases that will improve team and staff facilities, add floor seating, auxiliary support facilities and improvements in concessions, restrooms and the concourse area. In addition to those upgrades, plans are in place to complete the Softball Complex, the building of a new Olympic Sports facility and tennis complex, and upgrades to Pete Taylor Park. All these changes will be done in an effort to improve every venue at Southern Miss, enabling each to become more fan-friendly and provide a better atmosphere and game day experience that is sure to increase excitement and support for the various sports teams. While this facilities initiative is a bold one, it also will be a relatively costly one as well. The overall plan is slated to cost approximately $50 million, with a large chunk of the costs coming through private funding and sales of premium seating in Roberts Stadium and Green Coliseum. Though the overall cost of the improvement may seem like a costly undertaking, the Department of Athletics is well on its way to making its vision a reality by making an investment in the future of the program. In fact, the luxury suites at M.M. Roberts Stadium have already been leased, and interest in the premium seating, which includes suites, stadium club seating and new seating in the South end zone, is steadily increasing. The luxury suites, premium seating and upgrades to Roberts Stadium combine to make the cornerstone of the comprehensive facilities master plan that aims to put Southern Miss athletics on an even bigger national stage. Things certainly will be changing at Southern Miss over the course of the next season. Construction on the South end zone of Roberts Stadium is expected to begin following the 2005 season, while work on phase two of Green Coliseum also should start following the 2005-06 season. 205

M.M. Roberts Stadium M.M. Roberts Stadium is the focal point on Southern Miss’ campus during football game days in Hattiesburg, Miss. With all the excitement and atmosphere surrounding the game, there isn’t a better place to be. The stadium, which is affectionately known to the Golden Eagle faithful as “The Rock at Southern Miss,” has been home to a number of Southern Miss football standouts, including the likes of Reggie Collier, Brett Favre, Ray Guy, Derrick Nix and Sammy Winder. Currently, the Southern Miss Department of Athletics is in the early stages of a stadium renovation capital campaign, “Building Dominance.” Funding from this campaign will allow the athletic department to implement the major phases of a recently completed renovation and additions study that will include such major projects as luxury suites and club level seating, press box renovation and expansion of the stadium, adding approximately 5,000 seats. Part of that improvement plan was completed during April of 2004 when a new, artificial playing surface, known as Momentum Turf by Sportexe, was installed and ready for use prior to the annual Black and Gold Spring Game. As the football team’s success continues to build yearly, so does the fan support and season ticket base. Last season, 22,844 season tickets were distributed, marking the largest number in the school’s history, breaking the 2003 record high of 22,736. From the 1999 season until the 2004 season, there has been an increase of more than 6,000 season tickets. An average of 28,964 fans attended five home games in 2004, one of the highest home attendance marks ever and more than 300 more per game over the 2003 average. The all-time home attendance mark was set for the second-consecutive season in 2003, as a record 36,152 fans were in attendance for the Thursday night, nationally-televised contest against then No. 11-ranked Nebraska on Sept. 25, 2003. That mark surpassed the total 35,169 fans set against Jackson State in August of 2002.

206

“The Rock at Southern Miss” In the summer of 1938, several Southern Miss football players were recruited to work with the contractors building the stadium. The players hauled in the concrete used to build the additions, prompting the athletes to begin calling the new stadium “The Rock.”

With a seating capacity of 33,000, Roberts Stadium has housed games against some of the biggest programs in collegiate football, including Nebraska, Texas A&M, Florida State and Auburn. The stadium was dedicated on September 25, 1976, with Southern Miss hosting intrastate rival Ole Miss. Even though it seems like recent history, the stadium history dates back to October 29, 1932. On that date, State Teachers College defeated Spring Hill College, 12-0, as some 4,000 fans looked on from wooden bleachers. On this homecoming date, the playing field was dedicated as “Faulkner Field” in honor of local businessman L. E. Faulkner, who provided the materials and equipment to build the original facility. Faulkner, who was chair of the Central Relief Committee, gathered the unemployed men of the Hattiesburg area to do the bulk of the work. The playing field was completed at no cost to the University. Mrs. Alma Graham Conner, wife of Mississippi Governor Martin Sennett Conner and a member of the institution’s first graduating class, was in charge of the dedication. Another important date in Roberts Stadium history was on October 20, 1934, when the first night game was played on the Southern Miss campus. The Hattiesburg squad defeated LouisianaLafayette, 12-6. In 1938, work began on what became known as the “East Stadium Dormitory”, which became the first permanent structure at the stadium. It was

completed prior to the 1939 season. A loan for its construction was repaid through rental of dorm space to military families during World War II. Funds in the amount of $25,000 were left over to rebuild the football program after the war. It was during this time that the phrase, “The Rock” gained its origin. In the summer of 1938, several Southern Miss football players were recruited to work with the contractors building the stadium. The players hauled in the concrete used to build the additions, prompting the athletes to begin calling the new stadium “The Rock.” In 1950, a bill was passed appropriating $350,000 for construction of what became known as “West Stadium Dormitory,” which also provided 7,500 seats for football. Later, the State Building Commission provided funds totaling $90,000 to provide new lights and an IBM scoreboard. Soon after, enough funds were accumulated, through a stadium tax, to add 2,000 permanent bleacher seats on the west side. Capacity of the stadium then reached approximately 15,000. Many years later, an effort to acquire funds for a new stadium began. In 1976, The University of Southern Mississippi dedicated its new $6.3 million football stadium in honor of M. M. Roberts, a former member of the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning. Roberts has been given credit for the development of Southern Miss as a comprehensive university. A native of Jackson County, Dr. Roberts entered Mississippi Normal College in 1914. He was a member of the 1914 and 1915 football teams. Roberts went on to graduate in 1917. He also received a bachelor’s degree from Mississippi State in 1921. He received his jurist doctorate in 1928 from the University of Mississippi School of Law. Over the past several years, a number of improvements have been made to the field and stadium. In 1989, the playing field had a new irrigation system installed. The Robert “Ace” Cleveland Press Box and president’s box have been renovated, chairback seating has been added to the west side of the stadium, a state-of-the-art Daktronics scoreboard was added prior to the start of the 1998 season, and handicapped seating has been added, along with many other improvements. Three years ago, the lighting system was upgraded to provide brighter lighting and two new poles were added, one in each end zone, making it possible to televise night games without the expense of portable lights as well as enhancing fans’ enjoyment of the game. The playing field at Roberts Stadium underwent a name change in the 2004 summer when it was renamed Carlisle-Faulkner Field at M.M. Roberts Stadium in honor of entrepreneur, Southern Miss graduate and Golden Eagle supporter, Gene Carlisle, who has provided outstanding support and contribution to the Athletics Department and the University – much of which went to the installation of the new playing surface – Momentum Turf by Sportexe. 2 0 0 5 S o u t h e r n M i s s Fo o t b a l l

Game Day at M.M. Roberts Stadium

SouthernMiss.com

207

2005 Seniors

1 – John Eubanks

3 – Anthony Harris

5 – Howard Overby

5-11, 175, DB

5-11, 220, RB

5-10, 193, DB

6-2, 214, QB

Mound Bayou, Miss./Cleveland

Demopolis, Ala./Demopolis

Mendenhall, Miss./Copiah-Lincoln CC

Orange Park, Fla./Orange Park

12 – Darrell Bennett

17 – Luke Johnson

18 – Trevis Coley

45 – Kevis Coley

6-0, 210, DB

6-0, 240, P/K

6-1, 221, DB

6-1, 228, LB

Lake Charles, La./Washington-Marion

Soso, Miss./West Jones

Palatka, Fla./Palatka

Palatka, Fla./Palatka

49 – Naton Stewart

50 – Akeem Lockett

54 – Kendel Wheeler

71 – Bradley Worthington

6-3, 246, LB

6-2, 250, DE

6-2, 301, OL

6-4, 303, OL

Vero Beach, Fla./Vero Beach

Ripley, Miss./Ripley

Petal, Miss./Petal

Highland Home, Ala./Highland Home

73 – Neal Mead

76 – Ricardo Clark

79 – Joseph Leech

80 – Antwon Courington

6-4, 314, OL

6-1, 291, OL

6-4, 301, OL

6-2, 209, WR

Collins, Miss./Collins

Shannon, Miss./Itawamba CC

Amory, Miss./Itawamba CC

Jasper, Ala./Walker

208

9 – Dustin Almond

84 – Pedi Causey

90 – Tom Johnson

6-3, 244, TE

6-3, 277, DL

95 – Terrance Ford 6-1, 300, DL

Franklinton, La./Franklinton

Moss Point, Miss./Gulf Coast CC

Gheens, La./Central Lafourche

2 0 0 5 S o u t h e r n M i s s Fo o t b a l l

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