MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2011 Regular Session

To: Universities and Colleges

By: Representative DuVall

House Bill 1106

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 37-115-1, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI SHALL BEAR THE NICKNAME "OLE MISS REBELS"; TO PROVIDE THAT THE UNIVERSITY'S MASCOT SHALL BE "COLONEL REBEL"; TO REQUIRE THAT THE UNIVERSITY'S BAND SHALL PLAY "DIXIE" AND "FROM DIXIE WITH LOVE" AT HOME AND AWAY FOOTBALL AND BASKETBALL GAMES AT WHICH THE BAND, OR SOME PORTION OF THE BAND, IS PRESENT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

     BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

     SECTION 1.  Section 37-115-1, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

     37-115-1.  (1)  The University of Mississippi, incorporated on the twenty-fourth of February, A.D., 1844, shall continue to exist as a body-politic and corporate by that name and style, with all its property, real and personal, and with all the franchises, rights, powers and privileges heretofore conferred on it by law or properly incident to such a body and necessary to accomplish the end of its creation; said university may receive, hold and dispose of all real and personal property conveyed to it for such purpose.

     (2)  The University of Mississippi shall bear the nickname "Ole Miss Rebels" and its mascot shall be "Colonel Rebel."  The University of Mississippi's marching band, known as the "Pride of the South," shall play the song "Dixie" before, during and after home and away football games and basketball games at which the band, or a portion of the band, is present.  The marching band shall play the song "From Dixie With Love" before, during halftime, and after home football games; after away football games; and after home and away basketball games at which the band, or some portion of the band, is present.

     SECTION 2.  This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2011.