Ross Bjork is leading a Rebel Resurgence at Ole Miss
Ole Miss athletics has struggled in the past few decades, but with Ross Bjork at the realm, the Rebels are ready to take on anyone at anytime.
The Ole Miss athletic programs have all enjoyed many years of success in individual sports. But there has not been many years comparable to what the University has enjoyed recently. There has been a noticeable atmosphere of success around the Rebel’s sports programs. Multiple programs are experiencing record-breaking success.
The man leading this Rebel resurgence is Athletic Director Ross Bjork. Since he was hired in March of 2012, Bjork has been in the forefront of changing the National perception of sports at Ole Miss. Under his leadership, the Rebels have changed the narrative and the pecking order in the SEC.
During his introductory press conference Bjork stated, “We want to compete for and win championships in the best athletic conference in the country, bar none.” In his four years, Ole Miss has moved closer and closer to that goal.
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The football team, led by Coach Hugh Freeze, is the most visual barometer of success in the SEC. Under Freeze and Bjork’s leadership the Rebels have improved their record each year Bjork has been A.D. It all culminated in a Sugar Bowl win on New Year’s Day in New Orleans. It was the first since the days of Archie Manning.
The baseball team has enjoyed 40 win seasons and a trip to Omaha for the College World Series. The basketball team has enjoyed a multiple 20 win seasons and a couple of post season appearance. But Bjork success is not limited to the big three sports of football, basketball and baseball. He has enjoyed ground-breaking seasons in some of the less publicized sports.
Coach Matt Mott led the Ole Miss women soccer team to an unprecedented year. He took the Rebels to their first Sweet Sixteen in post season. They were rank as high as 12th in the nation during the season, the highest ranking in school history. New found success increased the interest in the team as its year-long attendance reached over 11,000.
“We want to compete for and win championships…”-Ross Bjork
The women softball team made its first ever NCAA Tournament and recorded 40 wins for the first time. This all came under Coach Mike Smith, who was hired by Bjork in 2014. Bjork also hired Track and Field coach Connie Price-Smith in 2015 and it is already paying dividends. This year the outdoor track team had 13 All-Americans, including the phenomenal Raven Saunders who placed first in shot-put.
The only thing that may outshine all the on the field accomplishment that the Rebels have had under Ross Bjork could be his ability to manage the financial side of the Ole Miss brand. The athletic budget has nearly doubled in his four years here as A.D. from 57 million to 105 million.
But if you need visual proof of his impact, there is no more shinning example than that of the brand new 96.5 million dollar basketball stadium, the Pavilion at Ole Miss. The stadium has become the jewel of the campus.
But he has not forgotten to take care of his most profitable sport, football. He has overseen the North end zone expansion at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.
He has brought a sense of pride back to the Ole Miss campus and a national buzz that has caught the attention of prospective student athletes. Growth can be seen in all the programs on the campus. There is an increased interest in every sport.
Bjork has given all coaches the means and the support needed to build a championship program. He is visibly supportive as well as giving support via social media. On social media he is a staunch crusader of the Ole Miss name. He has been known to answer Twitter hecklers in defense of the program he loves so dear.
Next: Ole Miss is building an in-state power in Mississippi.
Bjork has shown to have a progressive mind when it comes to the Ole Miss brand. He has focused his tenure as A. D. on growth. Bjork has left an indelible imprint on the Ole Miss campus that will be felt for many years to come. The hope for most Rebel fans is that we keep Bjork around for many years to come.