MISSISSIPPIAN THE Daily
Thursday, March 20, 2025
Get to know your 2025 ASB executive candidates
Executive officer candidates and their campaign teams have lined the Union Plaza this week to hand out stickers and promote their platforms in preparation for the Associated Student Body elections on Tuesday, March 25.
Students will be able to vote from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. on myOleMiss. Results will be announced on the front steps of the Lyceum at 7:30 that evening.
Runoff election voting will be on Thursday, March 27 from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Final results will be announced at 7:30 p.m. on the Lyceum steps.
Prior to voting, a debate will take place today at 6 p.m. in Room 321 of the student union.
President
Eron Hendrix
Hendrix is a junior public health and public policy leadership double major from Tupelo, Miss. She has served as the chair of student life this year for ASB. Hendrix’s main campaign focus is the “Home Initiative” in which she lays out methods to ensure first-year students “find their home and community.”
“Ole Miss has (given) me so much these past three years, so I am excited to work to make this amazing place even better,” Hen-
drix said. “My platform is all about ensuring that every person who comes to this campus feels at home and loves Ole Miss as much as I do.”
Jack Jones Jones is a junior economics major from Murray, Ky. Jones has
UM student
served as this year’s ASB vice president. One of Jones’ goals is to create a more transparent ASB that listens to the concerns of students.
“I am running for ASB president because I believe in Ole Miss,
The third Mr. University contest will be held at 7:30 p.m. tonight at the Gertrude C. Ford Center. Proceeds raised by the event go toward the 2025 senior class present — a donation to University of Mississippi’s food pantry, Grove Grocery.
This year, there are 10 contestants competing for the title: Byron Swetman, Michael Basha, Rob Embry, Downing Koestler, Hudson Hargette, Henry Potter, Anthony Jones Jr., Ethan Robertson, Jacks Mitchell and Garrett Holland. The event includes an escorting section, where participants are presented to the audience, an interview portion and a talent portion.
After its creation in 2022, Mr. University was held for two consecutive years but did not occur in 2024. After receiving feedback from the student body, Senior Class President Jack Walker, a public policy major from Shreveport, La., revived the male pageant with the help of the Senior Class Secretary Kam Holt, a senior biology major from Seguin, Texas and Senior Class Vice President Phoebe Gremaud, a senior biomedical engineering major from Edwardsville, Ill.
“I want to do something that the senior class but also the students of Ole Miss are going to enjoy. I had so many people say, ‘You have to bring
formal Senate meeting of semester
The Associated Student Body passed resolutions about changing meal plan requirements, student health policies and sustainability efforts in its last formal Senate meeting of the semester.
Resolution 25-7, one of the most heavily discussed proposals, proposed eliminating the requirement for residential college students to purchase the plus-one meal plan, regardless of Greek affiliation.
The resolution, proposed by Legislative Aids Jamil Taylor, Josie McCatey and Corey Kinger, passed unanimously.
“We recognize that this policy may disproportionately impact students who choose to reside in residential colleges,” Taylor said. “Through our proposed resolution, we urge the university to reconsider the current policy in the name of equity for all students as changing this policy reduces unnecessary financial burden on students.”
Senate Resolution 25-6, was unanimously approved, establishing a formal partner-
ship between the Department of Student Housing and ASB to help during move-in week.
The resolution aims to reduce the workload on student housing staff by providing volunteers to help break down boxes and organize recycling.
Resolution 25-5 proposed more water filling stations in existing
residence halls. While the original plan proposed installation on all floors, the Department of Student Housing cited financial and infrastructure constraints.
As a compromise, ASB agreed that all newly constructed buildings would have water bottle fill-
Associated Student Body candidates and supporters pass out stickers on the Union Plaza on March 19.
OLIVIA CANGELOSI / THE DAILY MISSISSIPPIAN
AIDAN PONIATOWSKI News Staff Writer
JORJA CARTER News Staff Writer
ASB CANDIDATES
I believe in our people and I think we can do great things together,” Jones said. “I believe that when students, faculty, staff and alumni come together and agree that we have problems and that we’re going to tackle them head on, there’s no limit to what we can do.”
Vice President
Hannah Broders
Broders is a sophomore double majoring in international studies and French from Mobile, Ala. Broders serves as the current historian in the legislative council.
“As your ASB vice president, I will be committed to modernizing our organization’s outdated guidelines and Senate operational procedures to better serve the needs of today’s students,” Broders said.
Walker Jacklin
Jacklin is a junior majoring in public policy leadership from Madison, Ala. He served as the chief of staff in the ASB president’s cabinet. A main focus of Jacklin’s campaign is finances and working to lower costs for students.
“The policies I am running on include a discounted Uber plan, lowering stadium prices, reducing textbook costs, expanding mental health training, improving accessibility and tackling food insecurity,” Jacklin said. “I have outlined specific and feasible plans on my website, proving these are more than just broad ideas.”
Wesley Templet
Templet is a junior major-
ASB SENATE
continued from page 1
ing stations on every floor. The resolution passed unanimously.
Senior Class President Jack Walker, promoted Mr. University, an all male talent competition, and new this year, Mr. Philanthropy event scheduled for today. Proceeds will support the Senior Class of 2025’s gift to the university, which will benefit Grove Grocery.
ing in public policy leadership from Vacherie, La. He served as the chair of the ASB Housing Committee. If elected, Templet plans to build a better connection between the ASB Senate and the university students.
“It is my strategy to help the vice president and the Senate work better for all the University of Mississippi because the legislative branch should be personally connected with the student body to enact meaningful change on behalf of every student,” Templet said.
Secretary
Caroline Croley
Croley is a sophomore public policy leadership major from Atlanta. Croley serves as the current undersecretary of public relations in the secretary’s department. Croley is planning to improve transparency with the greater campus body through expanding her previous initiatives of updating the ASB website and taking photos of events.
“I hope to make the department I already have so much appreciation for even better by increasing transparency, community and engagement for ASB and our student body,” Croley said in an Instagram post.
Ewing Milam
Milam is a junior finance and marketing major from Ridgeland, Miss. Milam serves as the current chair of the ASB Athletic Committee. He wants to focus on collaborating with The Grove Collective more to support student-athletes.
“We will highlight student support for our athletes, host collaborative events between The Grove Collective and increase communication between ASB and The Grove Collective,” Milam said in
“By bringing canned goods to the event and placing them into one of the candidates’ boxes with his beautiful headshot on it, you can help one of the guys to win the title of Mr. Philanthropy if he has the most canned goods at the end of the night,” Walker said. “The one thing people on campus need to not be worried about is what their next meal is.”
Senate Bill 25-5 honored Lieutenant Commander Patrick Murphy, was also passed unanimously. Murphy, a 1986 Ole Miss alumnus with a degree in chemical engineering,
an Instagram post.
Treasurer
No candidates are currently running for the treasurer position. ASB Attorney General Alex Kipping described what happens in the case of an executive race with no candidates.
“The first possibility is that of a write-in campaign, which the ASB Code outlines a system for in detail,” Kipping said in an email. “The second possibility is that of a Presidential appointment, which the ASB Constitution outlines in Title III: The Executive.”
Attorney General
Madison Waldrop
Waldrop is a junior integrated marketing communications major from Birmingham, Ala. Waldrop serves as the current chief of staff in the legislative council.
“My hope in running for
earned a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Chicago and a Master’s in International Relations and Strategic Studies from the U.S. Navy War College. He received a commission through the Navy RTC and served as a submarine officer in the U.S. Navy, remaining in reserves until he lost his life in the Sept. 11, 2001, attack on the Pentagon.
The ASB unanimously struck a clause from Senate Bill 25-7 that was passed last year that required members of the ASB Housing Committee to serve on
this position is that people can learn about the impact we can make as a student body and ultimately make our mark on Ole Miss,” Waldrop said.
Judicial Chair
Diego Abele Abele is a senior political science and philosophy double major from Austin. Abele is the current vice chair of the ASB Judicial Council. He plans to raise awareness for alcohol safety and drunk driving, emphasizing students’ rights and resources in the process.
“I have seen all that we have done as a Judicial Council as well as all that we can do in the future,” Abele said in an Instagram post.
Senior Class President
Braxton Dagg
Dagg is a junior integrated marketing communica-
the Student Housing Appeals Committee, which determines whether students can terminate their housing contract.
“After further meetings and discussions with the Department of Student Housing and the appeals board it is deemed not feasible as written,” said Wesley Templet, chair of the Student Housing Committee.
Templet did not provide further details of the discussions in the formal Senate meeting.
The ASB Housing Committee has now added a new clause about responsibilities, including maintaining updated resources about student housing concerns.
“This is just a way of continuing to provide support
tions major from Hurley, Miss. Dagg is currently serving as ASB secretary. Dagg aims to maintain and further the ideals of the university.
“I want to ensure that we leave behind a legacy worthy of the love, tradition and spirit that makes this place so special,” Dagg said in an Instagram post.
Senior Class Vice President
Kaylee Goff Goff is a junior public policy major from Hurley, Miss. Goff previously served as an ASB senator. Through her campaign, Goff highlights the community she found through the university.
“The class of 2026 has shaped me in so many ways, and it is through them I found a home in ‘The Velvet Ditch,’” Goff said in an Instagram post.
for students on campus and off campus,” Templet said.
The meeting concluded with remarks from ASB Senior and Interim Vice President Caleb Ball who reflected on his time in ASB.
“I’m really, really proud,” Ball said. “I started this journey a long time ago, and I really never thought that I would be in this position, president of the Senate; and I’m so proud of everything we have accomplished this year.”
“By bringing canned goods to the event and placing them into one of the candidates’ boxes with his beautiful headshot on it, you can help one of the guys to win the title of Mr. Philanthropy if he has the most canned goods at the end of the night. “
WYATT THISTLE
continued from page 1
MARY EVANS
Assistant News Editor
Ole Miss student Wyatt James Thistle died on Tuesday, March 11 while on a boating excursion in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, with his friends, according to a Dignity Memorial Obituary.
Thistle, a 20-year-old sophomore at the University of Mississippi, was pursuing a Bachelor’s in General Business.
MR. UNIVERSITY
continued from page 1
(Mr. University) back,’” Walker said. “As senior class president, that’s where I just feel like that’s my position to make, to give something to the senior class as one final gift.”
The titles of Mr. Know-ItAll, which goes to the contestant who aces the interview portion, Mr. Talent and Mr. Philanthropy will be chosen by judges Trimiesha Joyner, the spouse of Rebels Defensive Line Coach Randall Joyner, Associate Director of Leadership and Engagement Jordain
Thistle was born on Oct. 20, 2004, in Dallas. His family moved to Seattle and then Chicago before settling in Alamo Heights, Texas, where he attended school starting in the second grade.
After graduating from high school in 2023, Thistle enrolled at Ole Miss. According to the Dignity obituary, “He was incredibly proud to be a Rebel and could often be seen sporting his favorite Ole Miss shirts.”
Thistle was a member of the Mississippi Alpha Chapter of Phi Delta Theta fraternity, where he served as rush chairman. A statement from
Hamill and Natasha Jeter, the assistant vice chancellor for student success at the university.
The student body can help a candidate win Mr. Philanthropy by donating canned goods. Winning any of these three titles enhances a contestant’s chances of ultimately becoming Mr. University.
“There will be boxes that have each contestant’s face on it, and you can drop canned goods in those boxes, and we’ll count them up during the event,” Walker said. “Whoever has the most cans under their box wins Mr. Philanthropy, and it’s also just a good way to give back to Grove Grocery as well, our beneficiary.”
the fraternity reads, “We are deeply saddened by the loss of our brother, Wyatt Thistle. … He had goals, drive and a positive spirit that touched countless lives. He will be remembered for the lasting impact he made. Wyatt was always the funniest person in the room and had the most distinct laugh imaginable.”
Travel was another of Thistle’s passions, according to Dignity.
A funeral service will take place on Sunday, March 23 at 3 p.m. at Saint Luke’s Episcopal Church in San Antonio. A livestream of the service is available on the
Dignity Memorial website.
The Thistle family will receive friends on Saturday, March 22, from 5-7 p.m. at Porter Loring Mortuary.
Thistle was preceded in death by his grandfather Wyatt Thistle, great-grandparents Sidney and Jean Freeborn and Lynn and Dorothy Strause and his cousin Harley Fetterman.
Thistle is survived by his mother Kate Struase (Jimmy Malone), father David Thistle, grandparents James and Kathryn Strause and Edna Thistle, uncles Dough and Chris Strause and Bill Thistle, cousins Bradley, Kayla,
Savanna and Clara and great aunts Beth (Kevin) and Lynda. In memory of Thistle, Harley’s Wallet and the Live Like Lou Foundation are gathering funds. The Alamo Heights School Foundation, his high school, is also collecting funds via check. Campus resources, such as the University Counseling Center and UMatter, are available free of charge for those needing support.
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“I want to do something that the senior class but also the students of Ole Miss are going to enjoy. I had so many people say, ‘You have to bring (Mr. University) back.’”
Swetman, a senior computer science major from Latimer, Miss., emphasized the range of campus representation that was focused on during the candidate selection process. The selection process started with a call for UM community members to submit nominations to the Mr. University organizers. The nominees were then asked if they would like to participate in the competition.
“Jack Walker, Phoebe Gremaud and Kam Holt, the three of them, did a really good job finding different people on campus from a bunch of different groups,” Swetman said. “One of them contacted me and asked if I was interested in participating. We’ve got a really good group this year, that’s for sure.”
A senior accounting major from Brentwood, Tenn., Holland said that being selected as a contestant represents his ties to the university from a young age.
“I have grown up coming to Oxford and Ole Miss. Competing to be Mr. University means being a man on campus that embodies what it means to be a leader on the campus I have held dear since my childhood,” Holland said. “So I can confidently say, in the words of the SEC, ‘it just means more’ to be a contestant.”
Basha, a senior biochemistry major from Clarksdale,
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Miss., initially was on the fence about participating, but the event’s purpose drew him in.
“I used to be involved in Grove Grocery my sophomore year, and I think their mission is really awesome,” Basha said. “Getting to raise money in a really fun and exciting way where people are not straight up donating, but there’s kind of a show is an exciting thing.”
Robertson, a senior political science major from Pontotoc, Miss., shared Basha’s appreciation for the cause Mr. University is supporting, compared to a more traditional senior gift like a statue or monument.
“I think a monument, although nice, is not something that really helps our community. Grove Grocery is a food pantry for any students on campus that are ever in need,” Robertson said. “It is very important that we’re building something that can help sustain our campus.”
Potter, a senior mechanical engineering major from Lake Village, Ark., believes that this year’s competition will be a tight race.
“I think everyone out there deserves to win, but I’d be pretty honored. I mean, it’s going to be tough,” Potter said.
Senior Spanish and international studies double major, Mitchell, from Mobile,
Ala., echoed Potter’s perspective on what being crowned Mr. University would mean.
“(It is the) greatest honor. This place has been the best decision of my life, to come to Ole Miss. I always tell people that it will be their best decision of all time as well,” Mitchell said. “I would just love to be the representative of such an awesome place that means so much to me.” Jones, an Oxford native and junior health and physical education major, hopes the event works out in his favor but ultimately wants the crowd to enjoy themselves.
“If I do (win) I’ll be super stoked, but if I don’t, I just want to have a good time and everyone to think it’s funny and leave with a smile on their face,” Jones said. Other contestants include Hargette, a senior computer science major from Greenville, S.C., senior mechanical engineering major Koestler, from Oxford, and senior civil engineering major, Embry, from Madison, Miss. These contestants did not provide comment upon publication.
Tickets to the Mr. University contest are $15 before fees and can be purchased on the UM Box office website and at the Ford Center box office.
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- Jack Walker senior class president
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Code Pink Oxford spotlights new performers with first ‘Open Stage’ drag show
JESSICA JOHNSON
A&C Contributor
Drag is the hardest sport, said Code Pink organizer Blake Summers.
“It’s like football, but you have a wig on, and it’s bouncing on your head while you’re also singing and connecting with people,” Summers said. “And you’re doing it in high heels on top of that.”
Now imagine doing that for the first time in front of an audience.
Eight performers did just that at Code Pink’s first “Open Stage” drag show on Friday, Feb. 28 at Proud Larry’s. Fourteen performers from Oxford and Starkville, Miss., took the stage with varying levels of experience.
Established in 2016, Code Pink hosts LGBTQ+ dance nights with drag performances once a month on the Square, alternating between the Lyric and Proud Larry’s.
A star of the night was firsttime performer Sara Problem, who wowed the crowd with a fast-paced choreographed routine to Beyoncé’s “Crazy in Love,” complete with an outfit reveal and background dancers.
Brice Stone, who performed as Problem, has a background in theater and dance. Stone said the experience challenged him on a personal level.
“I wanted to try something that felt so far outside my comfort zone,” Stone said. “I am an outgoing person when I step onto the stage, but outside of that, I am very reserved and very quiet.”
Summers commended the first-time performers on their debuts, regardless of their experience level.
“When people start (doing
drag), it’s so fresh and green,” Summers said. “It’s not always good, but it’s high creativity and sometimes the best they can do or the best with what they have. And that’s where drag started. It’s where people with little money can live that fantasy. They can be that rich person for three minutes, to the best of their ability.”
In addition to first-time performers, the show also included some Code Pink regulars, such as Jaquavious Lee, who performs in drag as Lady Pluto.
Lee reflected on their role in the Oxford drag community.
“Seeing younger people getting into drag is bittersweet because it’s like, ‘Okay, I’m not the new girl in town anymore,’” Lee said. “But then there’s another part that’s like it’s so great that queer activities, like drag, can still survive despite drag bans.”
Lee also reflected on the growth of Code Pink over the years.
“Think about it: Oxford, Mississippi,” Lee said. “There used to just be five of us: me, Jay Lee, Kotah Kai, Saturn Vendetta and Mari Cone. And to think that I just put on a show with 12 Oxford girls, it’s great.”
Drag is not only great for community building, but it can also present personal benefits to the performers, such as increasing self-confidence, Summers emphasized.
“I find it’s a very giving thing for people to do drag,” Summers said. “I find it to be very selfless, but also very selfish in a way that they want to be seen, that they feel they are deserving to be seen. And I feel like that’s really refreshing. I think that’s what people really like, because they
see someone who is on stage being so brave when a lot of times we shrink ourselves in public.”
Summers said he hopes to make open stage nights a mainstay in Code Pink’s lineup of events, especially considering how important drag is to the LGBTQ+ community in Oxford.
“For me, I see empowerment,” Summers said. “I see bravery. I see people that are willing to be seen in a sometimes scary way. A lot of people are scared to put on heels and a wig because they feel like it’s dangerous. And it is very dangerous. … That’s the reality of the context of where we live.”
Several states have introduced or made attempts at introducing anti-drag legislation such as the Tennessee Adult Entertainment Act, which bans “adult cabaret performances” in areas where minors are present. While Mississippi has not introduced any anti-drag legislation, social stigma around drag still exists.
There are also fears of physical violence. In 2022, a drag show at the Pink Palace Museum in Memphis was canceled due to “the presence of armed protestors,” according to News Channel 3 in Memphis.
There were over 200 instances of anti-drag mobilization across the U.S. — including protests, threats and violence — between June 1, 2022, and May 20, 2023, according to a 2023 NBC report.
“For the people who performed tonight, I gave them my phone number and said, ‘Call me if you feel uncomfortable. I will walk to your car and walk you back if you feel scared,’” Summers said. “Because I don’t know who’s out there. I don’t know
Davis Coen showcases first live album at Proud Larry’s
Country-blues musician Davis Coen from Memphis will perform a free show at 7 p.m. tonight at Proud Larry’s. The show is a celebration of “Live at Proud Larry’s,” Coen’s first CD event release in eight years, his first live album and the first live album ever released from Proud Larry’s.
For over 20 years, Coen has toured the U.S. playing at clubs, festivals and bars. Coen offers a contemporary country-blues sound, ranging from narrative ballads to rhythmic danceable songs. He has played at renowned music festivals like the King Biscuit Blues Festival in Helena, Ark., and the Juke Joint Festival in Clarksdale, Miss. He has also shared bills with acclaimed musicians R.L. Burnside, Bo Diddley and Koko Taylor.
Much of his music is inspired by living in the South and being surrounded by country, the blues and religious-based music.
“I call it country blues, blues rock or throwback music with
my own spin on it,” Coen said. “Sometimes I like to write songs with twang, and other times I focus on the groove and how it will engage a live audience. I always pay close attention to how words and phrases work together.”
“Live at Proud Larry’s” is Coen’s 11th album and his first album recorded in front of a live audience. It is a mixture of recordings from multiple shows Coen has performed at Proud Larry’s. The album was produced by the venue’s sound engineer, Blake Gardner. It features originals and covers of classic blues songs from artists like Muddy Waters and Blind Lemon Jefferson.
For more than 30 years, Proud Larry’s has been both a restaurant and music venue staple in Oxford, showcasing iconic artists such as John Mayer, Modest Mouse and The Black Keys.
Avery Sams, a freshman majoring in civil engineering from Oxford, described the mood of Proud Larry’s.
“Proud Larry’s offers a very comforting and eclectic atmosphere as an audience member,”
who’s willing to hurt someone.”
Summers said despite these potential dangers for the LGBTQ+ community, he hopes Code Pink can serve as a safe space in Oxford.
“But for one night, we have the space, and we have each
other,” Summers said. “I’m really proud to be a part of it.”
Sams said. “The rustic vibe of Larry’s brings almost a nostalgic feel to the room, which makes it a very comfortable venue to be in.”
Lunden Melton, a junior biochemistry major from Memphis, expanded on the appeal of Coen’s music.
“It makes me feel like I’m sitting in an old Southern diner while listening to a live blues band,” Melton said.
Dasha Hollingshed, a freshman acting major from Crawford, Miss., also commented on Coen’s musical sound.
“It feels very jukeboxy to me and very blues heavy. I like it, and it definitely reminds me of the 1950s,” Hollingshed said.
Information about Coen’s upcoming performances and music releases can be found on his social media under the handle @DavisCoen. His music is available to stream on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music and SoundCloud.
Brice Stone performs as Sara Problem in the Code Pink “Open Stage” show at Proud Larry’s on Feb. 28.
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P.B. JERNIGAN A&C Contributor
The price of perfection: How NIL is shaping the mental health of student athletes
JALEAH WALKER
JANELLE MINOR Sports Contributors
“If you let the expectations eat you up, then you’re kind of toast from the beginning,” Mason Nichols said.
As a senior pitcher for the Ole Miss Baseball team, an honors student and a biology major, Mason Nichols understands high expectations. However, with changes in the name, image and likeness (NIL) rules, those expectations have only grown. He is now not just a student athlete; he is a businessperson.
In July 2021, the NCAA lifted its long-standing restrictions on its athletes’ ability to profit based on their NIL. For the first time, athletes could earn money from their personal brands through sponsorships, endorsements and partnerships while still competing at the collegiate level.
While NIL opportunities have created financial benefits for many athletes, they have also introduced new challenges. The lack of universal and consistent regulations has led to disparities in the outcomes NIL can produce for student athletes.
Without a standardized framework, athletes face confusion over compliance, contract terms and recruiting advantages tied to NIL. The pressure to build a marketable brand, combined with academic and athletic demands, has added another layer of stress.
Tight end Dallas Payne from Bay St. Louis, Miss., has also had to adjust to this new reality. After playing football for the University of Alabama-Birmingham, Payne transferred to Florida International University, which meant stepping into a new, more challenging environment.
“There’s so much pressure in today’s world through social media (and) NIL,” Payne said. “Wanting to just look good, it’s a lot of pressure, and it becomes a challenge. For some guys … they thrive in that pressure, and then there’s a lot of guys who don’t.”
The pressure Payne describes is not just based on personal experience; researchers have found similar trends.
Writing for Psychology Today, sports psychologist Tess Kilwein found that the pressure to maintain a public image fosters feelings of inadequacy and unhealthy comparisons among teammates.
At Ole Miss, Ane Debro,
general counsel for Ole Miss Athletics, acknowledges the added mental strain NIL brings. Debro provides legal guidance on compliance, contracts and regulations and helps educate athletes on the complexities of NIL.
“I do think NIL adds an extra layer to what student-athletes have to manage,” Debro said. “Now you’ve added another component to what they were already doing. Someone is now requiring them to do something in order to receive money.”
In response to these challenges, the NCAA has implemented reforms to expand mental health resources for student-athletes. Many universities, including Ole Miss, have increased access to sports psychologists and mental health programs to help athletes manage the added weight of NIL.
Recently, the NCAA Committee on Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspects of Sports approved new mental health resources aimed at addressing the evolving pressures student athletes face. These resources include ex -
panded teletherapy options, increased monitoring of social media harassment, mental health services at major sporting events and enhanced educational opportunities to equip athletes with coping strategies.
At Ole Miss, the athletics department offers counseling and sport psychology services, providing confidential one-onone sessions for athletes with licensed mental health professionals. These sessions address a range of issues, including injury recovery, disordered eating, identity concerns and performance-related challenges.
The Ole Miss Counseling Center offers walk-in services and a 24/7 crisis helpline, ensuring immediate support is available to all students, not just athletes.
The William Magee Institute for Student Wellbeing focuses on research and education related to substance use and holistic wellness.
While these resources provide support, managing the mental strain of college athletics ultimately falls on the individual athlete.
“There’s always room to improve. … There needs to
be an element of gratitude, though, from the student-athlete side right now,” Nichols said “We get more stuff than any student-athlete population has ever gotten.”
For Nichols, thriving under pressure does not mean ignoring mental well-being — it means learning how to manage it.
“I was struggling (mentally) after the national championship,” Nichols said. “I was like, how do I deal with these expectations for myself and for the team? They say baseball is 90% mental — well I wanted to get that right.”
After Ole Miss Baseball won the College World Series in 2022, Nichols learned to manage the pressure by utilizing mental health resources available to Ole Miss athletes and by relying on his Christian faith.
“I went and talked to the mental health folks for a competitive advantage. I think a lot of athletes do that, and there’s plenty of resources for things that aren’t just performance-related. But the expectations were a part of it,” Nichols explained.
While Nichols has
leaned on professional support, Payne finds balance in personal activities.
“I think just learning different hobbies outside of school and sports is key … those are your two main priorities as an athlete: academics and then practice, workouts, games,” Payne said. “So for me, managing and getting away from those two is just by doing little simple things. A lot of guys I know play video games. I think that’s also a way for athletes to escape from football and academics.”
For Payne, hobbies like gaming and listening to music are essential for mental wellness. He also emphasized the importance of staying connected to others.
“I value talking to my loved ones as much as possible,” Payne said. “Hearing their words and letting them motivate me helps keep me grounded and focused.”
Like Payne, Nichols finds strength in his support system, drawing from his faith and personal relationships.
“I love my church home here in Oxford, and I have a girlfriend who’s really pushed me,” Nichols said. “It’s the idea that we weren’t ever promised anything to be easy. In this life, we will have trouble. ‘But take heart, I’ve overcome the world.’ That verse speaks to me — I’m expected to handle these things in a graceful manner because I have to deal with both winning and losing expectations.”
The weight of the game is not just in the pads or the playbook. It lingers in the comment sections of Instagram posts, in the silence of a dorm room after a tough loss and in the long stretches of highway between home and the next playing field. Student-athletes need an escape — however brief — from the expectations placed on them.
Rashard Grace, a senior baseball player at Southern University in Baton Rouge, La., is originally from Madison, Miss. He summed up the importance of mental wellness for student-athletes.
“At the end of the day, you need to think about the thing between your ears. If I’m not okay up there, then nothing else is gonna be okay,” Grace said.
Dallas Payne celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Arkansas Razorbacks.
KENEMATIC SHOTS / KEN SHEPHERD
Ole Miss Men and Women’s Basketball are preparing for their first round NCAA Tournament games on Friday, March 21. This tournament is the first time the two programs have made March Madness in the same year.
Men’s
The Rebels enter the NCAA Tournament as a six seed and will face No. 11 seed North Carolina in the First Round at 3:05 p.m. Friday at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wis.
The Tar Heels defeated San Diego State 95-68 in a play-in game on Tuesday.
RJ Davis notched 26 points on the evening for North Carolina, while Jae’Lyn Withers added 10 rebounds and 10 points.
North Carolina is a blue blood program, a factor that helped them make the tournament and is a cause for concern for this upcoming game. While Ole Miss is making its first tournament appearance since 2019, the Tar Heels are making their 27th consecutive tournament appearance.
One of the Rebels’ main advantages is their turnover margin. Ole Miss finished as the top team in the SEC in turnover margin, forcing 5.4 more turnovers per game than they committed.
North Carolina is average on turnover margin, forcing 10.8 turnovers per game but also giving up 10.8 turnovers per game.
Another Ole Miss strength is its resume. As head coach Chris Beard pointed out earlier this week in response to Ole Miss being called “frauds,” Ole Miss has 11 losses on the year, losing only to teams selected to play in the NCAA Tournament.
They also made it out of fierce SEC competition with above a .500 record — a major feat considering 14 SEC teams gained NCAA Tournament bids. The
Rebels secured signature wins against then-No. 4 Alabama on the road, then-No. 14 Kentucky and No. 4 Tennessee at home.
One of the main players to watch in this game is Davis, who leads North Carolina in points scored and minutes played. Davis also has March Madness experience and was a key player in the Tar Heels’ run in the 2023 tournament when they went to the Sweet Sixteen. In total, Davis has played in 10 NCAA Tournament games.
Ole Miss needs to win the turnover battle, try to keep up with rebounding and prevent North Carolina players, especially Davis, from getting hot.
There are not many other 11 seeds who carry the weight that the Tar Heels do, but Ole Miss’ upperclassmen lineup filled with seniors should make a competitive First Round game.
Women’s
With their best seeding in history, the Ole Miss Women’s Basketball team enters the NCAA Tournament as a five seed, facing 12 seed Ball State, on Friday at 5 p.m. at Foster Pavilion in Waco, Texas.
The Cardinals won the Mid-American Conference with a 27-7 record, losing only three conference games.
Ball State is led by forward Alex Richard, averaging 16.5 points per game. Four players average double digits, showcasing offensive prowess. They average 37.6 rebounds and 16.2 assists per game.
However, this is only the Cardinals’ second tournament appearance and first since 2009, a stark contrast to the Lady Rebels.
Ole Miss is making its fourth straight and 21st overall tournament appearance. The Lady Rebels secured another 20-win season, and despite an early SEC Tournament exit they had key wins over LSU, Kentucky and Vanderbilt.
Like Ball State, Ole Miss has four double-digit scor-
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ers. Madison Scott leads with 11.9 points per game. The Lady Rebels average 38.5 rebounds and 17 assists. Freshman Sira Thienou has been a breakout star, averaging 10.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 2.5 steals per game, anchoring the defense.
The matchup looks even on paper, but coaching and experience could be decisive. Ole Miss head coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin is highly respected. Every returning Lady Rebel has played in March, where intensity rises. Ball State is talented but lacks experience.
A key factor will be Scott and Kennedy Todd-Williams controlling the game. When both perform well, Ole Miss is dominant. If one struggles, the offense can falter.
Overall, the Lady Rebels have the edge, but in March, anything can happen.
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Don’t let history repeat itself
“Weakness invites war; strength prevents it. If Trump truly cared about America’s security and global stability, he would abandon appeasement and recognize that Ukraine’s fight is the world’s fight.”
EDWARD WILSON Opinion Staff Writer
It is often said that history repeats itself. In the case of President Donald Trump’s approach to Ukraine, history is not merely repeating — it is being ignored. Lessons remain unlearned, and past mistakes are on the verge of being repeated. Trump’s stance on the war in Ukraine, his skepticism of Ukraine’s legitimacy, his persistent praise of Vladimir Putin and his reluctance to support meaningful deterrents bears eerie echoes of the appeasement policies that paved the way for World War II.
self-determination, Western leaders, including Chamberlain, convinced themselves that sacrificing small nations would satisfy Hitler’s appetite. It did not. Appeasement only emboldened him.
The same dynamic is playing out today with Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Much like Chamberlain, Trump believes that ceding parts of Ukraine to Putin in a negotiated settlement will bring lasting peace. But as British lawmakers recently pointed out in response to Trump’s meeting with Putin, “Appeasement led to World War II because it left a vacuum in Europe.”
A weak response to aggression never stops it — it only
worse. Rather than standing with Kyiv — an ally we pledged to protect when we pressured them to relinquish their nuclear arsenal — Trump has placed blame squarely on Ukraine for the war, echoing Russian propaganda.
In his latest meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Trump not only dismissed Ukraine’s calls for security guarantees but also joined Vice President J.D. Vance in berating Zelensky. He suggested that Ukraine was undeserving of continued U.S. support and should be “grateful” for the opportunity to retain even a portion of its own territory.
This is not just a diplomat-
Volodymyr Zelensky and Donald Trump on Feb. 28.
Rather than learning from former British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain’s infamous mistakes, Trump is reviving them.
At its core, appeasement was a policy of wishful thinking. It epitomized Britain’s failed attempts to contain Hitler, allowing Nazi Germany to expand unchecked, culminating in the devastating invasion of Poland.
When Hitler annexed Austria and seized the Sudetenland under the guise of
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invites more. Putin, like Hitler, has already demonstrated that he cannot be trusted. After illegally annexing Crimea in 2014 without a serious Western response, he proceeded to invade Ukraine in 2022, violating multiple agreements. Yet Trump insists that Putin “will keep his word” if a peace deal is reached. History suggests otherwise.
If Trump’s appeasement strategy weren’t dangerous enough, his open hostility toward Ukraine makes it even
ic blunder — it is a betrayal. Trump’s approach mirrors the sentiment of those in the 1930s who viewed Germany’s aggression as a reaction to the “unfair” Treaty of Versailles rather than recognizing it as the expansionist ambition of a dictatorship exploiting Western weakness.
Today, Trump sees Ukraine as a nuisance rather than a sovereign nation fighting for its survival against an imperialist aggressor. His refusal to
acknowledge Russia as the clear aggressor — going so far as to claim that “Ukraine started this war” — reflects the same moral confusion that enabled Hitler’s rise.
Beyond rhetoric, Trump’s policy decisions are deeply troubling. His administration’s insistence that Ukraine cede territory to Russia and abandon NATO membership is a blatant reward for aggression. He has also refused to commit U.S. military support to a peacekeeping mission, despite historical evidence that only strong deterrence prevents further conflict.
Even more alarming is the Republican Party’s complete deference to Trump, abandoning its once “strong” stance on Russia.
Before Trump’s public spat with Zelensky, many Republican senators warmly welcomed the Ukrainian leader, posing for photos. Several, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio during his tenure as senator, had previously condemned Russia and vowed to support Ukraine in the wake of the 2022 invasion.
Now, however, we see obedience at work. Mississippi Sen. Roger Wicker quietly deleted a post expressing support for his earlier meeting with Zelensky, while other Republican lawmakers have walked back their once-forceful condemnations of one of the U.S.’s biggest adversaries — Russia. Many of whom claimed Biden wasn’t doing enough to defend Ukraine now join Trump in his appeasement plans.
History offers a grim warning about Trump’s Ukraine approach. The West’s failure to stand firm against Hitler in the 1930s did not stop his conquests; it merely delayed the inevitable and made the eventual
conflict even more devastating.
Failing to support Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression will not bring peace — it will invite further land grabs, just as Hitler continued his expansion after the Munich Agreement. If Ukraine is forced into a humiliating settlement, it will send a message to authoritarian regimes worldwide that military aggression works. The consequences will not be confined to Eastern Europe. China will be watching, Iran will be watching and every aspiring dictator will take notes.
Trump’s defenders argue that his approach is pragmatic, that peace must come at any cost. But history refutes this argument. Lasting peace is not achieved by placating aggressors but by standing firm against them. Did America stand idly by after the attack on Pearl Harbor? Did Britain after the invasion of the Falkland Islands? Kuwait? South Korea?
As the son and grandson of a father and grandfather who served in the armed forces, I find the idea that Ukrainian soldiers should willingly surrender stolen land for the sake of “peace” not just unreasonable — it is inexcusable. Weakness invites war; strength prevents it. If Trump truly cared about America’s security and global stability, he would abandon appeasement and recognize that Ukraine’s fight is the world’s fight. Anything less is a historic mistake we cannot afford to repeat.
Edward Wilson is a sophomore public policy leadership major from Jackson, Miss.
CONTACT THE OPINION DESK AT thedmopinion@gmail.com
Columns do not represent the views of The University of Mississippi or The Daily Mississippian. The Daily Mississippian welcomes letters to the editor, which should be emailed to thedmopinion@gmail.com. Letters should be no longer than 300 words. They may be edited for clarity, brevity and libel. Third-party letters and those with pseudonyms or no name will not be published. Letters are limited to one per individual per month. Letters should include contact information, including relationship to the university, if applicable.
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Edward Wilson
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