Game Day in Oxford, Can't Wait!

Football season is fast approaching, and I can't wait.  Being a Bulldog married to a Rebel, I get twice the game day experiences compared to most college fans.  Having season tickets to both MSU & Ole Miss makes for some challenges as far a logistics which games are sure bets, which side will compromise to the other, and which tickets to sell or give away.  I must admit, I do enjoy game day at that town up north called Oxford.

Oxford Parking:
It has always been a challenge to find the closest parking spot for a game in Oxford.  Arrive early, and you could always find a spot in the Ford Center Parking lot.  Last year they began selling reserved parking there for around $1,000 for the season, with very few takers.  The excess amount over $20 per game was considered a "donation".  This year you have to have a parking pass to be able to park on campus.  Here is the parking map that is color coded, and notice the circle bands indicating the distance to the stadium.  Gotta feeling the game color for the first few games will be red, coming from the rage seen in the faces of all those Rebel fans trying to figure this all out. 




Several businesses are seeing an opportunity to make some money by leasing out their parking lots for the same big money.  Some of the money will be donated back to the schools:

This from HottyToddy.com:

With the dramatic changes in game day parking at Ole Miss, HottyToddy.com will offer reserved season pass parking to 150 takers at its parking lot that joins the UM campus. Proceeds will support academic enrichment.“Take one step forward from our parking lot and you are on the campus. Walk about 2,000 feet and you are at The Inn At Ole Miss and just beyond is The Grove”, said HT.Com publisher Dr. Ed Meek.The offices of HottyToddy.com are located at 307 West Jackson, at the corner of West Jackson and Gertrude Ford Road. All profits from HottyToddy.Com will be contributed to Ole Miss for scholarships and other academic support. Reserved parking for the season of seven home games will be $1,000,” he said.“In addition to the HottyToddy.Com parking lot, we are assisting Burns United Methodist Church, just a block from our location, in the leasing of some 40 parking spaces at the same rate at their location just off Molly Barr Road. All revenue for this lot will go to support church ministries,’ Dr. Meek said.

 

The Grove:

Regardless of what school you attended, one of the best game day experiences can be found in "The Grove".  It is a sea of red and blue from the colors of the  tents to the fashions of Ralph Lauren. The frat boys trying to stay cool wearing their blue blazers and khaki pants and sweating out the alcohol from the night before.  The Coeds will be in their Sunday best, accented with the finest cowboy boots, Uggs and even diamond studded flip flops.  After a close loss to the Tide, one ole gal even threw her Prada's onto the field in disgust.  Bet her Daddy ain't got over that yet!

 

Our group is strategically located across the street from the Grove, by the bridge, next to the "Popo" tent.  From this position, you get to see the parade of Coeds coming too and fro, with their bad-locked coolers in tow with one hand, and their chicken strip basket in the other.  Occasionally you have the "rookie"  that tries to walk in with a twelve pack of bud in hand, only to be stopped by the Popo, and be ordered to pour all that beer onto the ground by one of the many tall majestic oak trees that make up the grove.  It has been rumored that some of the trees begin to sway back and forth from all that beer on the roots and from the band playing Dixie!

 

The Food:

You can't celebrate game day without the food.  First thing you see is table prep.  The tables are covered in red and blue linen table cloths.  It is amazing to sit back and watch those tables go from being bare, to blooming into tailgate splendor.  The table setting has to be positioned for a smooth transition, from appetizer, to entrees, to desserts.  Plates and flatware are strategically placed so that no one would have to eat with their fingers.  The standard for drinking is the fan favorite "red solo cup".  It doesn't hurt that it is also a school color.

 

Every type of dip is on display, Rotel being the big fan favorite.  The fan favorite entree is of course the "chicken finger".  I have never been able to figure out peoples affection for deviled eggs and pasta salads in 90+ degree heat.  Must be all those adult beverages that keep them from getting sick.  Chafing dishes are the main heat source for keeping certain foods hot, from meatballs, to all kinds of barbecue, and even hot tamales!   All other types of heat sources were banned several years ago.  I was there when a roadie grill with a spare fuel cylinder underneath caught fire.  I have never seen so many party goers scatter in a matter of seconds!

 

One year we were approached by some kids that made the trip from Brigham Young.  They were curious as to where they might find something to eat, since they couldn't seem to find any place on campus.  Boy did they come to the right tent!  They even commented that they had watched the "Blind Side" three times before deciding to make the trip!

 

Festivities:

You can't celebrate game day in the Grove without experiencing some of the happenings. The Grove was wired with electricity, so as long as you can hit a satellite, ESPN is live every 50 feet.  And  one cannot experience the Grove without using the HottyToddyPotty.  That sucker is a portable bathroom trailer with air conditioning! 

 

The band and cheer squads put on a small pep rally by the pavilion, then the band lines up for their march to the stadium.  Fans follow them in one continuous flow from all directions until they reach their Mecca, Vault Hemingway Stadium.

 

A few tradition they have during one of the first games is to have the incoming freshmen enter the stadium from one end and make their way to their seats at the other end.  You quickly get an understanding why the dorms are occupied by mostly freshmen!

 

The spousal unit gets a special treat this year.  Her niece, was a Rebelette during her time in Oxford.  She is returning this year as the head coach of this Year's Rebelettes, her dream job.  So, keep your eyes on section F, as the spousal unit will be dancing along with those girls all game long, and especially at halftime.  So, when they announce the coach's name, "Carley Russell Cryer". give her a special "Rebel Yell"!