Family Tree Rooted in the Grove Supports the Rebels in Omaha
King family returns to College World Series with legacy of Ole Miss love, baseball memories and family traditions
OXFORD, Miss. – The King family plans to make Hotty Toddy memories in Omaha at the University of Mississippi's latest appearance in the College World Series, just as the family has for four generations.
Ary Phillips played baseball and basketball for the Ole Miss Rebels in the late 1920s. He was the school’s first athlete to receive All-American honors for the sport of basketball. Submitted photo
For Allison Phillips-King (BBA 90) and her husband, Charlie King (BBA 89, MBA 91), it will be special to have their adult children from Oxford, Madison and Denver, with them in Omaha cheering on the Rebels.
"Omaha means a lot to us this year," Charlie said. "In 2022, we could not go, so we were not going to miss our chance to be there in person this time.
"We are grateful that our three grown children are going to be there with us."
The family's love of each other and Ole Miss is deeply rooted in the Grove.
Though Allison and Charlie met and married while at Ole Miss, Allison's ancestors did the same two generations before, beginning this tradition.
It was Allison's grandfather, Ary Phillips (BBA 30), who planted the Ole Miss family tree. He played baseball and basketball for the Rebels in the late 1920s and was the school's first basketball player to receive All-American accolades.
While at Ole Miss, Ary met his bride, Bess (BBA 32), thus establishing the Phillips family legacy.
The legacy was propelled by Ary's son and Allison's father, Alton (BAccy 65). He instilled his love of the Rebels and memory-making in her.
"My dad was a diehard fan and my buddy when we tailgated while I was in college, when you could drive the car into the Grove," Allison said. "He raised us to make memories; that memories were the most important part of a family."
Allison Phillips-King shows off the Mike Bianco-signed jersey that her son, Phillips, wore at the 2014 College World Series. She plans to wear it in Omaha as the family cheers on the Rebels. Photo by Srijita Chattopadhyay/Ole Miss Digital Imaging Services
The family continued tailgating as the Grove transitioned from vehicles to tents, and Ary's great-grandchildren, Charles Phillips "Phillips" King (BSGE 16), Mason Caldwell King (BSME 19) and Perry Allison "Allie" King (BBA 20) entered the family and attended the university.
Along the way, they continued to make memories, meet mates and get married. And, of course, they all yelled "Hotty Toddy."
The fourth generation continued the tradition of meeting and marrying their loves while attending Ole Miss when Phillips met Maggie Pitts (BAEd 15, MEd 16) through mutual friends during school and later married.
For Allison, the legacy of Hotty Toddy equals family.
"I have been saying 'Hotty Toddy' since I could talk," she said. "My grandmother and daddy taught me, and I taught my children. Hearing those words brings back many memories of family gatherings around Ole Miss sports."
Phillips and his grandfather, Alton, shared some special Rebel baseball moments together.
"My favorite Ole Miss baseball memory was watching John Gatlin hit the walk-off winner in Omaha against Texas Tech in 2014," Phillips said. "Seeing us win our first CWS game in over 40 years and celebrating the victory with my grandfather were moments I'll never forget."
During that game, Phillips wore a baseball jersey autographed by coach Mike Bianco. The jersey will make another appearance at this year's College World Series along with a pullover belonging to Alton, who died in 2016.
Charlie King (left) and Alton Phillips celebrate in Vaught-Hemingway Stadium when Ole Miss defeated Alabama on Oct. 4, 2014. The King family is taking Phillips’ red pullover to Omaha in hopes of bringing good luck to the baseball Rebels. Submitted photo
"I am taking for good luck my daddy's red Ole Miss pullover which he was wearing when Ole Miss beat Alabama in Oxford on Oct. 4, 2014," Allison said. "Having a piece of him with me while cheering on my Rebs with all my children, is a priceless good luck piece with love."
The family's love for all things Hotty Toddy and each other continues to run deep.
"'Hotty Toddy' is the bond that I felt cheering with my fellow Rebels, willing our team to victory in a hostile environment at the super regionals," Allie said. "I will never forget the sheer joy I saw in the people around me and the players and coaches on the field after getting the final out."
The cheer also bridges differences.
"'Hotty Toddy' allows us to come together over one common goal: our love for Ole Miss," Allie said.
The Phillips-King mantra of "family first and memories" abounds.
"A love for Ole Miss is so deeply ingrained in our family; attending Ole Miss sporting events is our favorite way to spend time together," Allie said.
"Knowing the deep history my family has with the university for four generations makes it all the more special."
Top: The King family, (from left) Phillips, Allison, Charlie and Allie, prepare to join son and brother Mason in Omaha, Nebraska, for the College World Series. Four generations of the family have been loyal Rebels beginning in the late 1920s, when Allison’s grandfather was Ole Miss’ first All-American athlete, Ary Phillips. Photo by Srijita Chattopadhyay/Ole Miss Digital Imaging Services
Four Generations of Rebels
Mason King supports the Rebels while hiking in Colorado. He will join his parents, Allison and Charlie, and siblings Phillips and Allie in Omaha for the College World Series. The family have been Ole Miss Rebels for four generations. Submitted photo
Allison Phillips-King (left) and her daughter, Allie, support their Rebels at Swayze Field. The family will continue supporting Ole Miss in Omaha at the College World Series. Submitted photo
Alton Phillips (left) and grandson Phillips King support the Rebels at the 2014 College World Series. The family is taking the jersey worn by King back to Omaha this year as a good luck charm. Submitted photo