Ole Skip college students take pleasure in al fresco eating on the Oxford Square. ESPN has named Oxford as the country’s best college or university city. Photograph by Logan Kirkland/Ole Pass up Digital Imaging Expert services
OXFORD, Miss out on. — Though it ought to occur as no shock to the tens of thousands of University of Mississippi enthusiasts who pack the Grove for seven Saturdays just about every slide, ESPN has listed the dwelling of Ole Overlook Rebels as the country’s best school town ahead of the 2021 NCAA football time.
In a online video segment introduced this week, ESPN tweeted, “The Grove is an unbelievable Sport Working day ambiance. What is your favorite college town?” with a movie and graphics proclaiming Oxford as its top school town. The dwelling of UM edged out Athens, Ga, yet another Southeastern Meeting university city, as the nation’s finest college or university town.
The Major 10 rounded out the rankings with Madison, Wisconsin, in 3rd, and Ann Arbor, Michigan, fourth and Point out College, Pennsylvania, inserting fifth.
Chancellor Glenn Boyce reported the university is appreciative of the rating, which confirms what the Ole Miss out on group has acknowledged for decades.
Cheerleaders pump up the group from the Grove Phase throughout pre-game festivities in advance of the Ole Skip Rebels’ 2019 matchup with Texas A&M. Image by Christian Johnson/Ole Miss out on Electronic Imaging Solutions
“With this rating, ESPN has confirmed what hundreds upon thousands of Ole Miss students, alumni, lovers and visitors have passionately believed for a lot of several years: Oxford, Mississippi is America’s best university town,” Boyce explained.
The working experience people have on campus is because of in part to the city’s sturdy partnership with the college, he mentioned.
“We are really lucky to contact Oxford our property, and we’re grateful the metropolis is this sort of a terrific partner,” Boyce mentioned. “Along with its legacy as a wellspring for arts and lifestyle, today’s Oxford is a thriving destination for eating, shopping, entertainment and significantly more. Like Ole Skip, Oxford is charming, attractive and a full whole lot of entertaining.”
Oxford Mayor Robyn Tannehill reported the town is also pleased about the recognition.
“We are thrilled that ESPN has identified Oxford as the country’s greatest college or university city,” Tannehill said. “We definitely concur! Oxford and Ole Miss complement every other so nicely. We are seeking forward to the slide crowds as our group celebrates!”
Keith Carter, UM director of intercollegiate athletics, who is also an alumnus and previous Rebel basketball wonderful, agreed with the rating in his possess tweet.
“Been stating this for about 25 decades,” Carter mentioned. “Best place in the entire world!”
This year, Ole Overlook football is drawing hoopla as a possible contender for the SEC West, and enjoyment about the year is substantial. Mentor Lane Kiffin qualified prospects his squad into its initially matchup of the period Sept. 6 in Atlanta from Louisville, followed by the Rebels’ initially dwelling game towards Austin Peay, scheduled for Sept. 11.
A mural near the Oxford Square displays the city’s personality. Picture by Logan Kirkland/Ole Miss out on Electronic Imaging Solutions
In the ESPN segment, area dining places are touted. The Grove and Oxford are celebrated for the welcome that gets rolled out to readers, and the depth of the enthusiast foundation is also pointed out as a variable in the determination.
David Pollack, ESPN higher education football analyst and former Georgia Bulldog All American football player, chimes in on the ESPN video clip. Pollack, who was on the 2014 “College GameDay” broadcast from Ole Miss, also has the point of view of somebody who has been to the Grove for some key university football showdowns.
Even though Oxford defeat out Athens, property of his alma mater, Pollack observed the splash Ole Miss out on built and gave props.
“‘GameDay’ went there various many years back and it’s hard to disagree (with the No. 1 ranking),” Pollack states about video clip of fans in the Grove. “Look at the individuals, the Hotty Toddys are out. It is crazy. The Grove is unbelievable Activity day atmosphere, but the town is comprehensive of football junkies.”