Ole Miss Fans Have Chance to Beat Georgia Off the Field
Beat Week, a fundraising challenge between Ole Miss and UGA, set Oct. 13-18
OXFORD, Miss. – Before the Rebels and Bulldogs kick off on Saturday, fans from both sides can score first in a competition where both universities win.
Starting Monday, the University of Mississippi and University of Georgia will compete head-to-head during Beat Week, a six-day challenge to see which school can score the most gifts between midnight Monday (Oct. 13) and 11:59 p.m. CST on game day, Oct. 18.
Every gift of $5 or more to any campus cause counts on the giving scoreboard and can help the Rebels beat the Bulldogs off the field.
"We're confident that Coach Kiffin and our players will win the game next Saturday," said Maura Langhart, UM senior director of annual giving. "But to win Beat Week, we need every member of our Ole Miss family to come together and give back to the university.
"Our fans, alumni, friends, students, faculty and staff make up a philanthropic powerhouse."
Langhart encourages Rebel fans to set a calendar reminder for Monday, when they can log in to beat-week.com and click on the Ole Miss logo to make a gift and check the leaderboard. She also encourages fans to post about Beat Week on their social media accounts.
"Every gift is important, so we encourage everyone in Rebel Nation to make multiple gifts during Beat Week," Langhart said. "You may make gifts to anything you love about Ole Miss: your major, a scholarship, essential student services, faculty support, the band and more."
In a special Beat Week competition, the Pride of the South Marching Band will go head-to-head against UGA's Redcoat Marching Band to raise the most gifts for band member scholarships.
"It's not necessary to have been in the band to support the Pride of the South in this competition," Langhart said. "Just make a gift and help them march to victory."
Last year, donors helped Ole Miss win its Beat Week competition against Louisiana State University. UGA won its Beat Week competition against the University of Alabama.
"Georgia is a formidable opponent, on and off the field," said Charlotte Parks, vice chancellor for development. "The best part of Beat Week, however, is that everyone wins.
"At the end of the week, we will have cultivated more support for our university and our students. Supporting students is the ultimate victory for Ole Miss."
To join the Ole Miss team for Beat Week, contact Langhart at mmwakefi@olemiss.edu or 662-915-2760.
Top: As part of the Beat Week competition, the Pride of the South Marching Band will go head-to-head with the University of Georgia's Redcoat Marching Band to raise money for band scholarships. This year's Beat Week gives Ole Miss fans a chance to best UGA in raising funds for university programs and scholarships. Photo by Srijita Chattopadhyay/Ole Miss Digital Imaging Services