Greetings from Hawaii: Ole Miss Baseball Team Arrives in Paradise for Four-Game Series vs. Rainbow Warriors
OXFORD, Miss. — The Ole Miss baseball team made its way to Hawaii yesterday after departing Oxford in the wee hours of Wednesday morning.
Upon arriving in Honolulu, the players, coaches and staff were met at the airport by some of the Rebel baseball moms who continued the Hawaiian tradition of giving the new arrivals beautiful leis as a welcoming gesture.
Mrs. Saunier greets Ole Miss head coach Mike Bianco with a Hawaiian lei.
“It was so well-received. They were so gracious,” said Jennifer Saunier, of the reactions to the leis.
Saunier, who organized the presentation, is the mother of Ole Miss pitcher Grayson Saunier.
Ole Miss pitcher Grayson Saunier and his mom, Jennifer.
Left to right: Kyler Carmack’s aunt; Shea Treece (Kyler Carmack’s mom); Renee Maddox (Riley Maddox’s mom); Jennifer Saunier; Alison Dennis (Gunnar Dennis’ mom); Heidi Smith (Bo Gatlin’s mom); Tamisha Utermark (Judd Utermark’s mom); who all helped welcome the Ole Miss players to Hawaii Wednesday. (Photo courtesy: Jennifer Saunier)
We asked Mrs. Saunier what made her think to do something so special.
“I’ve been on the receiving end of that type of greeting when I traveled to Hawaii before with Jason (Grayson’s father). He made sure I had a sweet fresh lei when I arrived. Knowing how I felt when I received that, I wanted all the players and coaches and staff to experience that warm Hawaiian greeting, to let them know how much we love them and how excited we are to be here.”
Jennifer Saunier
Back when she first found out the team would be playing in Hawaii this season, Jennifer began to explore what she would need to do to keep this unique tradition alive for the Rebels.
She found a wholesaler and organized the labor of love, collecting money from each of the parents for their son’s lei. The leis were delivered to her at her hotel in two gigantic boxes and stored until the players’ plane landed.
One of the two boxes of leis delivered for the Ole Miss baseball players, coaches and staff.
“Being presented with a lei is a very memorable moment, especially if you’ve never been to Hawaii. It’s something that stands out. I always remember receiving that first one,” Mrs. Saunier recalled.
Ole Miss IF Judd Utermark and his mother, Tamisha Utermark.
Mrs. Saunier is going the extra mile to make sure this trip is memorable for all the players and their families, also organizing a team luau for what will be approximately 150 family members and players.
The team started off its first full day in Hawaii with a morning snorkel trip. The players were set to depart for that at 9:30 a.m. (Hawaii time) today. They return to the hotel a little after noon and will have most of the afternoon to spend with family. At 5:30 p.m., they have a team meeting followed by practice at 6:30 p.m.
Mrs Saunier is partnering with The Rebel Walk to bring us pictures and memories from this amazing trip! Thank you, Jennifer, for sharing these memories with Ole Miss fans.
Ole Miss pitcher/quarterback Austin Simmons receives his lei from Mrs. Saunier.
Shea Treece (Kyler Carmack’s mom), Kyler, Adam Treece.
Ole Miss pitcher Riley Maddox and his mom, Renee.
Stacey and Anthony Brown (aunt and uncle of Kyler Carmack) with Ole Miss pitcher Kyler Carmack.
Ole Miss pitcher Connor Spencer receives his lei from Alison Dennis, mom of Rebel pitcher Gunnar Dennis.
Pitcher Hudson Calhoun is all smiles after receiving his lei.
Game info:
Ole Miss and Hawaii are set for first pitch of game one of the four-game series at 10:35 p.m. (CT) Friday. Game one will be streamed on ESPN+.
Evelyn Van Pelt
Evelyn has covered sports for over two decades, beginning her journalism career as a sports writer for a newspaper in Austin, Texas. She attended Texas A&M and majored in English. Evelyn's love for Ole Miss began when her daughter Katie attended the university on a volleyball scholarship. Evelyn created the Rebel Walk in 2013 and has served as publisher and managing editor since its inception.
