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Volleyball
Ole Miss Volleyball Reports, Begins Preseason Camp
Photo courtesy of Ole Miss Athletics
While many students are enjoying the final days of summer, the Ole Miss volleyball team, under first-year head coach Steven McRoberts, is already back in Oxford preparing for the 2014 season, as preseason camp kicked off Saturday.
Friday, the team reported to campus for a full day of orientation, acclimation and team meetings as the student-athletes met with different members of the Ole Miss Athletics staff, including compliance, media relations, athletic training, strength and conditioning and academics. Athletics Director Ross Bjork took time out to speak to the team as well. Following a full afternoon of meetings, the team members received their new Nike gear for the season.
Adding to the excitement of starting a new season and the beginning of a new era, several updates to the Gillom Sports Center took place while the team was away between second summer session and the start of camp, including a newly designed court.
Thirteen players took to the courts Saturday morning for a two-hour practice, spending a lot of time on ball control. The Rebels broke for lunch, before coming back in the afternoon for position practices.
“We all came in excited. It’s definitely a new challenge for us, a new beginning,” McRoberts said. “We have a lot of work to do, but the effort was there and the attitude was good. You always have to go through that first practice to see what direction you want the next few days of camp to go.”
Coach McRoberts will benefit from the return of 11 letterwinners, including four position starters. Key returnees include junior middle blockers Nakeyta Clair and Ty Laporte as well as right side hitter Melanie Crow and setter Aubrey Edie.
The Rebels will practice once Sunday before resuming two-a-day practices Monday.
Be sure to come see the team and meet Coach McRoberts at the annual “Meet the Rebels Day” Presented by Cannon Motors, Saturday, August 16 at the Manning Center. The team posters will be handed out and the Rebels will be signing autographs.
Doors will open to Rebel Kids’ Club Members (with up to two parents or guardians) at 11:30 a.m., at the south entrance of the facility, which faces the Track & Field complex. The general public may enter at noon, and all fans should park in the Coliseum lot.
For more information on Ole Miss Volleyball, follow the Rebels on Twitter at @OleMissVB, on Facebook at OleMissVolleyball and on Instagram at OleMissVB.
– Kim Ling, Ole Miss Sports Information
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Athletics
Saxon Named Asst. AD of Student-Athlete Development
Ole Miss athletics director Ross Bjork added to his leadership team when he announced that Jennifer Saxon would join the Ole Miss Athletics Department as assistant AD of student- athlete development. Saxon joins the Rebel team after a five-year stint at South Carolina State including serving as senior women’s administrator and assistant AD for athletics academic enhancement.
“Student-athlete welfare and development is at the center of the core values that guide our athletics program each day,” said Bjork. “In searching for a new assistant athletics director to lead this unit, our vision was to find someone who exuded the same level of commitment and had the experience to match. Jennifer’s unique perspective in a senior-level administrative role at South Carolina State and her upbringing as the daughter of a football coach, destined her for this role. Her personality and work ethic will energize our student-athletes to become the best they can be both academically and socially. We are thrilled to welcome Jennifer to the Ole Miss family.”
Saxon, who has a Bachelor of Science in physical education/health education services as well as a master’s in counselor education and secondary education from South Carolina State, brings a variety of experience to Ole Miss’ student-athlete development team. In her most recent position as assistant AD for athletics academic enhancement, Saxon was responsible for all aspects of the academic progress of all student athletes while coordinating all special fundraising events as well as serving as the primary community relations contact person.
“I’m excited about the opportunity to join the Ole Miss family,” said Saxon. “I’m looking forward to working with not only the administration, coaches and staff, but also the student-athletes. Student-athletes here at Ole Miss are some of the best in the world and we’re going to ensure that this program continues to enhance their abilities and move them forward into the next phase of their lives. When they leave Ole Miss we want the world to know that they’re Ole Miss Rebels.”
Saxon will work very closely with senior associate AD for academic support, Derek Cowherd. Cowherd spearheaded the national search and was impressed with Saxon’s credentials, specifically her experience in the area of student-athlete development.
“We are elated to announce Jennifer Saxon as our new assistant AD for student-athlete development,” said Cowherd. “She brings a magnificent set of experiences, academic background and formal student leadership training to our senior staff. Her passion for student-athlete development, attention to detail, and her plan for success for our student-athletes won us over. We could not be more pleased that she chose to join our team here at Ole Miss.”
Saxon will oversee Ole Miss’ student-athlete development area, specifically dealing with the life skills components. Saxon has extensive experience serving as a community relations contact during her tenure at South Carolina State. While at South Carolina State, she coordinated Youth Day activities, while also fostering relationships with local non-profits and organizations. Additionally, Saxon has served as Student-Athlete Advisory Advisory (SAAC) advisor, while heading life skills programming for nearly 200 South Carolina State student athletes. During her time in Orangeburg, South Carolina, she introduced the Bulldog Speaker Series, which engaged local and institutional speakers to talk on a variety of topics, including financial literacy, career development, leadership and public speaking. Saxon also introduced the Bulldog Challenge, which is a student-athlete challenge to increase student-athlete visibility in the local and university communities. She also developed an appearance form to track student-athlete community service and appearances, and executed the annual new student-athlete orientation activities.
Saxon, a 2013 graduate of the NCAA Leadership and a delegate at the 2014 NCAA Convention, holds memberships in the National Association of Academic Advisors for Athletics (N4A) and American School Counselors Association (ASCA).
The Orangeburg, South Carolina native, begins her official duties at Ole Miss on Monday, Aug. 11.
– Jessica Poole, Ole Miss Sports Information
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Men’s Basketball
Ole Miss Hoops Season Tickets on Sale, New Payment Plan Announced
Ole Miss basketball season tickets are on sale now and the athletics department has announced a new payment plan for fans.
Fans that purchase or renew their season tickets by Sept. 12 will also be able to enroll in a payment plan to spread the purchase out in three monthly installments due Sept. 15, Oct. 15 and Nov. 14. The original deadline for priority renewal of Aug. 31 has been pushed back to Sept. 12 to accommodate the payment plan.
In addition, fans that purchase or renew their tickets by Sept. 12 will receive an invitation for themselves and a guest to attend a special “Chalk Talk” session with head coach Andy Kennedy prior to the season.
Season tickets begin at just $225 for 16 home games including nine SEC contests. Fans can purchase season tickets at OleMissTix.com. For more information on the installment plan option, please call the Ole Miss Ticket Office at (662) 915-7167 or1-888-732-8587.
– Ole Miss Athletics
HottyToddy.com Sports Round Up August 11-17
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