Column | With Gratitude and Pride: The Rebel Walk Celebrates Kam Wicker
OXFORD, Miss. — The Rebel Walk’s Kam Wicker is graduating from Ole Miss today; he walks at noon in front of his friends and family who will be there to cheer him on. To those of you who don’t know Kam, well, you’re missing out. He’s one of the finest young men I’ve ever known, both personally and professionally.
The Rebel Walk’s Karis Chambliss (left) and Kam Wicker in the Press Box at Vaught-Hemingway. (Photo: Karis Chambliss)
(Note: To anyone who has enjoyed Kam’s work over his last four years, if you would like to send him a graduation present, his Venmo is: @Kam-Wicker. Of course, Kam has NO idea I’m posting this and as humble as he is, he might object. But he is a great young man, a proud Rebel, and, as of noon today, a graduate of Ole Miss.)
On November 4, 2021, I received a call from a potential intern, a young freshman at Ole Miss. It was Kam. In my typical fashion of running around like a chicken with my head cut off, I was in the car, my phone was almost dead, and I couldn’t find my charger. So I told him I would call when I got home — and the rest is history. I could tell on that call I was talking with a special person who would fit right in at Rebel Walk.
The first-ever text I received from Kam regarding working for The Rebel Walk.
I’ve told Kam for the last year or so that while I will be incredibly happy for him as he graduates and sets out into the world, I’m also going to be sad he is gone. Kam is irreplaceable in my book. In his typical ‘I’ll-do-anything-to-help-Rebel-Walk’ fashion, he has said he will continue to write for us after graduation as long as it doesn’t conflict with any potential job he takes. So, I’m praying that can happen.
Kam began working for us four years ago when he was just a freshman, a young man from Delhi, Louisiana with big dreams and a work ethic that is literally second to none I have ever seen. I don’t say that lightly.
He has worked countless hours at his other job on campus and covered all sports at Ole Miss for us. That sounds simple; however, it’s anything but. He has attended practices and games, written gamers and features, captured postgame video, covered pressers, handled interviews, and posted on all our social media. He created an excellent podcast, The Rebel Talk, with Zach Moreth, and completed his degree at Ole Miss in the process. This final semester, Kam took 18 hours, worked his two jobs, each demanding in their own way, and is graduating today.
As he concluded his final year at Ole Miss, Kam sent me an evaluation form for the School of Journalism and New Media regarding his work for an internship he was also doing with us. Let me tell you, it’s not easy to summarize how much he has meant to The Rebel Walk in a few paragraphs.
I don’t think he would mind me sharing part of what I submitted:
“He’s incredibly knowledgeable about every sport and that comes through in his work. There has never been a time I have asked Kam to do something that he has not done so willingly and happily. I know he takes a full load in school and works a second job, yet he approaches our work here as if it’s the most important thing. That is priceless to me. Kam’s skills are above and beyond anything I’ve seen at the collegiate level, as has been his level of responsibility assumed. Simply put, there’s nothing in our media outlet that Kam has not mastered. Grateful doesn’t begin to describe how I feel for having had the opportunity to work with and get to know Kam.”
And I’m not alone. Some of our Rebel Walk staffers have also expressed their feelings about what Kam means to them.
“Kam took me in and immediately developed a relationship with a kid who had zero collegiate media experience and basically no connections at Ole Miss. Not only has he helped me develop my skills in the media industry, but Kam’s been a big brother figure for me at a place over 600 miles away from where I grew up. Just last week I was with friends at the bowling alley and despite being with a huge group, Kam (who was also there) sought me out and caught up with me. His character and passion are truly unmatched and are going to take him to incredible places professionally. I’m beyond blessed and grateful to have learned from such a stand-up guy.”
Zach Moreth
And another ….
“As someone who came to the sports writing profession late in life, I didn’t know what to expect when I began covering Ole Miss games. Evie told me about “Kam” and what a great young man he was. I finally had the opportunity to meet him, and Kam welcomed me to the Rebel Walk team with open arms. I got to know Kam better during basketball season. From the latest we heard about the college sports world to funny jokes and witty comments, I began to see what a great asset he would make to a lucky publication or network. Kam is well-rounded and has it all. I will miss him next year, but know that he will be successful in any endeavor he chooses. I hope he finds time to send this Ole Miss fan a text occasionally. Best wishes, Kam! I’ll miss you.”
Donna Sprabery
And here is what our managing editor, Adam Brown, says of Kam:
“Kam has been very vital to the organization since he first arrived. Since day one, he’s taken on a leadership role, sometimes when not even asked. He finds enjoyment in helping others and working as a part of a team. Even before I joined The Rebel Walk, I was able to work with Kam from afar, from a different organization that covered Ole Miss. These last four years it has been a real pleasure knowing and working alongside Kam in a professional role.”
Adam Brown
I was curious and asked Kam yesterday what his favorite moment has been working for The Rebel Walk.
“Covering the LSU game in 2023,” he said. “It was one of the best atmospheres ever; it was a storybook ending. And it was the first time I had met you in person!” (Yes, I’m teary now.)
Besides his exceptional journalistic talent, here are a couple more reasons why Kam is so special to us here at RW. When he had his graduation announcements made (his mom designed them and they are great!), he wore his Rebel Walk shirt for the picture.
Kam Wicker’s graduation announcement.
I truly cannot describe how much that gesture means to me — that RW is special enough to Kam that he would wear that for his graduation photo.
In yet another move that makes me teary, Kam’s family has forever marked his time with us with a personalized alumni brick on campus.
It says, simply:
That’s the thing about RW; we are a family, and Kam is an integral part of it. And he isn’t just graduating from Ole Miss—he’s leaving a legacy at The Rebel Walk. We’re proud, grateful, and cheering him on.
Hotty Toddy, Kam!
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. Email Evie at: Evie@TheRebelWalk.com
