Oxford Couple Boosts Support for Student-Athletes
Ole Miss names women's basketball locker room in donors' honor
OXFORD, Miss. – An Oxford couple, both University of Mississippi alumni, recently increased their support of Ole Miss athletics programs. In return, the university's Department of Athletics is naming the Rebels' women's basketball locker room in their honor.
Emma Gaines and Brandon Dixon, who made a gift of $125,000 to the Ole Miss Athletics Foundation in 2023, recently increased their gift, hoping the funds will help give student-athletes the extended knowledge they need to proactively navigate life after graduation.
“Think about this: Our university will give an academic scholarship to help someone who has great capability in music cultivate that talent," said Dixon, who earned a master’s degree in educational leadership from Ole Miss in 2003.
"I view athletes the same way. These young men and women have amazing abilities, so let’s cultivate those talents and give them the skills and education they’ll need later in life.”
The Ole Miss athletics department has named the women's basketball locker room in honor of alumni and donors Emma Gaines and Brandon Dixon. Submitted photo
Gaines earned a bachelor’s degree in biological science in 2016 and a nursing degree in 2018.
William Fisher, assistant athletics director of development, said he’s grateful for the couple’s desire to support student-athletes comprehensively.
“Brandon’s background in development gives him a unique understanding of how vital private support is," Fisher said. "Generous gifts like his and Emma’s are essential to the strength of our programs and the long-term success of our student-athletes.”
A renewed interest in Ole Miss basketball, specifically the women's program, inspired the couple to increase their pledge.
“We’re fortunate to live close to campus and can make it to games," Dixon said. "The one thing I tell people about any sport – be it football, softball, basketball, whatever – go to one game and you're going to feel invested; you’re going to be hooked.
“You’re going to realize the level of competition that these athletes are playing, and you’ll understand how fortunate you are to get to see that.”
To make a gift in support of Ole Miss athletics, visit CHAMPIONS. NOW. or contact William Fisher at fisher@givetoathletics.com or 662-915-7159.
Top: Ole Miss women's basketball coach Yolett McPhee McCuin (right) greets UM alumni Brandon Dixon (left) with his wife, Emma Gaines, outside the team's locker room. Dixon and Gaines have increased their gifts to athletics in hopes of helping student-athletes acquire the life skills they will need after graduation. Submitted photo