Club Red: The rise of an unforgettable student section at Ole Miss
It is a great time to be a Rebel! Not only did Ole Miss begin the New Year as Sugar Bowl Champs, but the school is poised to sign one of the best recruiting classes in the country next Wednesday, February 3, on National Signing Day.
But there is other great news taking place on campus in Oxford–namely, the opening on January 7, 2016, of a brand new basketball arena. The Pavilion at Ole Miss is the $96.5 million home for Men’s and Women’s Basketball, and it welcomes a maximum capacity of 9,500 fans, among them some of the most passionate, most enthusiastic Rebel fans you’ll find anywhere–the members of Club Red.
The design of the Pavilion creates a special home for Club Red
You might be surprised to learn that of the 9,500 seats, up to 1,300 floor seats are reserved for the Ole Miss student section better known as “Club Red.”
Club Red Ambassador Desmen Ison feels the design of the new stadium creates something special for Ole Miss hoops—for student seating as well as crowd involvement:
The crowd plays a major part of every game. The players feed off the support and thrive off the momentum from the crowd to gain the upper hand.
Desmen Ison, Club Red Ambassador
“I Was Here First” shirts given away on the January 7, 2016 opening day of The Pavilion. (Photo credit: Ole Miss Athletics)
Ison reflected on his experience standing in Club Red after the Rebels opened their first two SEC games at home in early January:
“The atmosphere was amazing,” he said. “It was very surprising to see a packed-out student section while we’re still on break. Club Red was phenomenal both nights keeping the noise level up while our opponent had the ball.”
Ole Miss Production Department Employee and Club Red Ambassador James Lott, felt it was a very unique environment:
I was so happy to see so many students show up for the first two games and how they were able to be the 6th man in the ball game,” he said. “It makes me look forward to the rest of SEC play.
James Lott, Club Red Ambassador
Even Twitter took notice of the new 6th Man:
@UMClubRed AMAZING Effort from your group! Take Pride in your Building and effect on the game! #WAOM #NewNormal
— Land Shark Nation™ (@LandSharkNation) January 8, 2016
When the announcers on @SECNetwork talk about how great the ole miss students and @UMClubRed are
— Jarred Noffsinger (@Wjnoffsinger) January 10, 2016
Free t-shirts for first 1,000 students
Randy Kennedy t-shirts handed out at the January 9, 2016 game. (Photo courtesy of UMClubRed.com)
Club Red is working diligently to keep up attendance by offering promotional t-shirts to the first 1,000 students at each home game. “The t-shirts are a great perk for now,” Lott said. “Over time, we’ll find new ways to bring people in and push for nicer giveaways.”
Ison added that Club Red is also allowing the student section to evolve into something more akin to a membership program. “Students can join for free at www.umclubred.com,” he said.
“Membership is a thing for the really dedicated basketball fans to be even more involved,” Ison continued. “Members are allowed to help with the t-shirt designs as well as laying them out before each home game.”
Jan. 27 game vs. Auburn: “Vote Randy Kennedy, 2016”
Given that the design of the Club Red t-shirt for the Auburn game features “Vote Randy Kennedy, 2016” there should be a mad dash as students try to be one of the first 1,000 in Club Red to snag one.
Shirts going out. Make sure you are here to get one!!!! pic.twitter.com/dfgmZs6Qrt
— Club Red (@UMClubRed) January 27, 2016
The Rebels will take on Auburn today at 6:00 pm (CT). For those of you unable to be there and experience Club Red in person, you can catch the game on the SEC Network.
Follow Club Red on Twitter @UMClubRed and get ready to watch the rise of an unforgettable student section at Ole Miss!
Hotty Toddy!
