University in Lafayette County, Mississippi — The American South (East South Central)
University Park/Old Swayze Field
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, April 1, 2023
1. University Park/Old Swayze Field Marker
Inscription.
University Park/Old Swayze Field. . This location was the site of some of the earliest intercollegiate athletic contests in the state of Mississippi. The University of Mississippi is documented to have played baseball here by spring, 1893, and the first Ole Miss football game was played here later that same year against Southwestern Baptist University. Bill Driver and baseball Hall of Famer Casey Stengel coached UM to a state baseball championship here in 1914. Vaught-Hemingway Stadium was built just east of this location in 1915. The field became known as University Park, and was later renamed Swayze Field in honor of legendary head baseball coach Tom Swayze, who led UM to 4 SEC championships and 3 College World Series appearances. Jake Gibbs was a football/baseball All-American for Ole Miss, and in 1972 succeeded Swayze as head coach, leading UM to another CWS appearance and two SEC championships. The 1977 title was won as Swayze Field hosted the inaugural SEC baseball tournament. Old Swayze Field's last game was May 1, 1988, as Ole Miss baseball moved to its new home, Oxford-University Stadium/Swayze Field.
This location was the site of some of the earliest intercollegiate athletic contests in the state of Mississippi. The University of Mississippi is documented to have played baseball here by spring, 1893, and the first Ole Miss football game was played here later that same year against Southwestern Baptist University. Bill Driver and baseball Hall of Famer Casey Stengel coached UM to a state baseball championship here in 1914. Vaught-Hemingway Stadium was built just east of this location in 1915. The field became known as University Park, and was later renamed Swayze Field in honor of legendary head baseball coach Tom Swayze, who led UM to 4 SEC championships and 3 College World Series appearances. Jake Gibbs was a football/baseball All-American for Ole Miss, and in 1972 succeeded Swayze as head coach, leading UM to another CWS appearance and two SEC championships. The 1977 title was won as Swayze Field hosted the inaugural SEC baseball tournament. Old Swayze Field's last game was May 1, 1988, as Ole Miss baseball moved to its new home, Oxford-University Stadium/Swayze Field.
Erected 2012 by M-Club Alumni Chapter, Ole
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Miss Alumni Association.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Sports. A significant historical year for this entry is 1893.
Location. 34° 21.823′ N, 89° 32.159′ W. Marker is in University, Mississippi, in Lafayette County. It is at the intersection of All American Drive and Hill Drive, on the right when traveling east on All American Drive. Marker is in front of the Pavilion at Ole Miss. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 762 All American Dr, Oxford MS 38677, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the North Mississippi Hills. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Deep South. Globally, it is in North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Lyceum (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Civil Rights Monument
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, April 1, 2023
2. University Park/Old Swayze Field Marker
The Pavilion at Ole Miss, background, was built on the former sports field in 2014-16. The arena is home of the university's men's and women's basketball teams.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 5, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 5, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 766 times since then and 99 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on April 5, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
