VAUGHT-HEMINGWAY STADIUM
HOLLINGSWORTH FIELD
Cozy and historic Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, the home of the Ole Miss Rebel football team, is located on the southeast side of the University of Mississippi campus.
The recent renovation of Vaught-Hemingway Stadium has generated a new excitement in Ole Miss football. The historic stadium, which is located on the southeast side of the University of Mississippi campus, increased its capacity to 60,580 with the recent bowling in of the south end zone. The two-year construction has made Vaught-Hemingway the largest on-campus facility in the state of Mississippi.
The stadium, known as Hemingway Stadium for much of its existence, began its long historic life in 1915 when students at the University helped in the construction of the first football grandstand at the site of the present field.
The construction of the stadium and its permanent foundation was a three-year, federally-sponsored project. Stadium capacity was originally listed at 24,000.
Also, in 1950, came the addition of one of the nation's longest press boxes (80 yards). Astroturf was installed on the playing surface in 1970, making the stadium the only one in Mississippi with an artificial surface. Blue fiber glass seating was added to the West side stands in 1971 and later added to the East stands in 1973. Permanent aluminum bleachers were installed in both end zones in 1980 to bring the stadium to 41,000.
The stadium is named for the late Judge William Hemingway (1869-1937), professor of law and longtime chairman of the University's Committee on Athletics. On October 16, 1982, John Howard Vaught saw his name added to the stadium. Vaught compiled an impressive 190-61-11 record as head football coach at Ole Miss and brought the Rebels their first National Championship in 1960.
In the summer of 1984, the astroturf was removed from the playing surface and replaced with prescription athletic turf. During the summer of 1988, the stadium received a major facelift, including a new press box, new aluminum sideline seating, restrooms and concession stands, plus a club level section for 700 people. Renovations continued in the summer of 1990 when lights were added to the stadium. A new Sony JumboTron scoreboard/message center was added for the 1997 season.
In 1998, the Guy C. Billups Rebel Club Seating area was completed, placing an upper deck on the east side of Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. The new addition, which includes a special seating section with an enclosed concession and lounge area, pushed capacity to over 50,000. With the new addition, the Rebels set several attendance records during the 1998 season. Ole Miss defeated rival LSU, 37-31 in overtime, before an electric-atmosphere crown of 50,577 on October 31. The 50,577 spectators made up the largest on-campus crowd to watch a collegiate football game in the state of Mississippi. Five of the stadium's top 10 crowds - including the top four - came in 1998.
The season opener versus Memphis on September 5, 1998, also saw the addition of another name to the stadium. The field was named in honor of Dr. Jerry Hollingsworth for his continuing generous support to the entire Ole Miss athletic department.
The LSU game on Nov. 11, 2000, drew a record attendance of 52,368, the largest on-campus crowd to watch a collegiate football game in the state of Mississippi. Three of the stadium’s four largest crowds came in 2000.
TOP 10 CROWDS AT VAUGHT-HEMINGWAY STADIUM/
HOLLINGSWORTH FIELD
Updated July 16, 2002
| Attendance | Opponent | Year |
| 52,476 | LSU | 2000 |
| 52,368 | Auburn | 2000 |
| 52,122 | Alabama | 1999 |
| 51,448 | Kentucky | 2000 |
| 50,928 | Arkansas | 1999 |
| 50,876 | Georgia | 1999 |
| 50,577 | LSU | 1998 |
| 50,412 | Miss. State | 1998 |
| 48,811 | Miss. State | 2000 |
| 48,371 | Auburn | 1998 |
Source: University of Mississippi Sports Information Office
