Ole Miss Football: Grove Grinder, A Look At A Serious Problem

Ole Miss football may not be on a lot of Rebels minds at the moment but there is a very serious problem which Rebels need to address.

By now most Ole Miss football fans have grown aggravated by the sad state of affairs when it concerns certain subjects. As Ole Miss Rebels fans we may have different opinions on a variety of issues which is understood. However, there have been a litany of changes we have been forced to accept with little or input. It is obvious there has been a progressive liberal agenda which has taken over the University of Mississippi and we have had to grin and ‘bear’ it. Pun intended.

For over 50 years I have been a die-hard Ole Miss football fan. Yes, I was around when we could still park cars in The Grove, we had Colonel Rebel, the confederate flag and ‘From Dixie With Love’ could still be played by the Ole Miss band on game days. Now I don’t know about you but I believe I turned out pretty good in spite of all of it and had no say whatsoever in the changes which have been forced on us Ole Miss Rebels. However, the University still wants our donations.

Some Changes Are Not Bad

Ole Miss Rebels

Not all changes are bad and I will be the first to admit some changes were needed and those changes were made. I’m not talking about the aforementioned changes we have been forced to accept but the changes made in the Ole Miss administration over the past 15 or 20 years. It was needed and in some cases we’ve seen a dramatic improvement from the administrative changes.

While some Ole Miss Rebels fans have been divided on the subject of AD Ross Bjork many believe Rebel Nation has been way too critical of Bjork as he has managed to do a lot of very good things which could have or even should have been done before. As much as we loved the Tad Pad it was in disrepair way before Bjork took over. Now the Ole Miss basketball teams have the best venue in the SEC if not the nation. When you include the addition to the Vaught well you know that takes money.

I’ll be the first to admit I was very hard on Bjork throughout the NCAA investigation into Ole Miss football but with his ability to make positive changes happen is amazing. Ross Bjork has also done a great job with his own recent men’s and women’s hoops hires and help in facilitating the recent Matt Luke hires of both Mike MacIntyre and Rich Rodriguez. Once again all of this takes a massive amount of money.

The Money Trail

So where does all the money come from? Well it comes from a variety of places but the major amount of it comes from private donors like you and I. While many of us cannot donate millions of dollars to the University of Mississippi there are those donors who can and do. Of course, you ask yourself, “Where is Skipper going with all of this?” Well stick with me and you’ll see soon enough.

As a journalist myself I’m offended and shamed by the way the University of Mississippi handled the situation with Dr. Ed Meek. While I have never met Dr. Meek personally I can certainly understand and appreciate all which he and his family have done for not just the University of Mississippi but for the Ole Miss family. Dr. Meeks donated a huge amount of money to the School of Journalism.

While some of you may have knowledge of what I’m talking about I realize there are some who may not so I’ll briefly explain. Dr. Meek’s name was on the ‘Meek School of Journalism and New Media’ but has been removed because Dr. Meek openly reported on social media some activities which he believed to be detrimental to the University. Dr. Meek was right about his observations yet when he shared it he was rebuked by the University as a racist and subsequently his name was recently removed from the School of Journalism.

While I may catch a rash of feces from some people for this article I give you this. There should be something done to put Dr. Meek’s name placed back upon the Ole Miss School of Journalism and New Media. While this may not mean much to some of you it really should. How do you blame a man who has donated his adult life, name and money to the University of Mississippi for saying what he believed needed to be said?

Another Witch Hunt?

For doing what any of us could have done and some other Rebels did and for it to be done thru social media is no excuse for condemning a man. While some of you might dismiss this you should consider asking yourself this one question, “What have I given to Ole Miss?” While most of us haven’t given millions we have all given something and continue to give in emotional or financial ways.

While Ole Miss football fans look in the past we can see where a man has been thrown under the bus. So where does it begin and where does it really end?  We’ve seen coaches, ADs, chancellors change over the years. Now we have resorted to taking names off of buildings in a clear violation of freedom of speech? Dr. Meek has been condemned by the University for expressing himself.

I wrote about the changes in The Grove myself. Does that make me a racist in the eyes of my readers? I would certainly hope not and nor does it Dr. Meek. There is a measure which has not been met by Dr. Meek and until Ole Miss determines he was within his own First Amendment rights to speak out the University is wrong on so many levels.

So now, will I be admonished for this? I know I certainly will. However, there is a time when we have to all agree enough is enough. This didn’t begin with Dr. Meek and the ire he drew but now is the time it should end with him and this yet another ‘black eye’ on Ole Miss and not what she should really stand for. When is enough really enough? UM should put the Meek name back on the building or give him back his money. The rest of us regardless of our financial class should beware. Be sure to check out the link to support Dr. Meek! Hotty Toddy!!