Campus of the Week: Inside Ole Miss

This week's Campus of the Week is the University of Mississippi, better known as Ole Miss. Ole Miss was selected as this week's Campus of the Week after the Rebel's massive victory over LSU and former coach, Lane Kiffin in the biggest storyline of the early college football season. The win and storyline surrounding Kiffin has brought the spotlight to Oxford, but there's more to an Ole Miss gameday than what is shown on television.

Going beyond the game itself is what the Campus of the Week is intended to do for our audience. Saturday's in Oxford are built around so much more than just the game. It's the Grove, the Walk of Champions, generations of other traditions and a town with an identity that extends well beyond Vaught-Hemmingway Stadium.

The Origin of "Ole Miss"

The official name is The University of Mississippi, but it is widely known as Ole Miss. This name was submitted as a winning entry in a contest to name the university yearbook all the way back in 1896. Ever since, the name has become the representation of the University and its athletic organizations.

The Grove

The Grove is the main gathering place on the campus of the University of Mississippi. It is 10 acres right in the center. On football weekends, the oak tree lined Grove is filled with tents, students, alumni and families all gathering pregame to tailgate and prepare to cheer on the Rebels. The Grove is a central part to an Ole Miss gameday, not just simply a waiting place for kickoff. A good quote to summarize it would be "You can watch Ole Miss football without seeing the Grove. But you cannot understand Ole Miss football culture without understanding the Grove."

The Walk of Champions is where the past meets the present. It runs directly through the Grove to Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. The Arch that begins the Walk of Champions was built in 1998 and presented by members of the undefeated 1962 Ole Miss Rebels football team, and before every home game, Ole Miss players walk through the Arch surrounded by generations of Rebels faithful. The walkthrough connects each current Ole Miss team back to one of the most celebrated teams in school history.

The Sounds of Ole Miss

Hotty Toddy. A rallying cry, greeting between Rebels fans and alumni, and a recognizable chant throughout the college sports landscape. Then there is The Pride of the South, the Ole Miss marching band which dates all the way back to 1928. They perform on the Grove stage before each home game and their music and presence helps the atmosphere on gameday move from the Grove to Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.

The Manning Legacy

The Manning family has left a legacy on Ole Miss since Archie Manning became a legend during the late 1960s and 1970. Archie finished third and fourth in Heisman voting during his time as the Rebels quarterback. They have retired his jersey number 18 and in his honor, the speed limit all across campus is 18 miles per hour, making this one of the more unique honors/traditions in college sports.

Why Ole Miss is Campus of the Week

Ole Miss' victory over the LSU Tigers and Lane Kiffin gave us a reason to name them Campus of the Week. The Grove, Hotty Toddy, the Walk of Champions, the Pride of the South band, the Manning legacy and the city of Oxford explain why the place matters beyond just the game. At Ole Miss, the stadium is only one part of the experience, and gameday begins long before the ball is kicked off.

That's Ole Miss, CSN's Campus of the Week.