Pick up your Sunday Oxford Citizen at locations throughout Lafayette County Volume 3 | Issue 76
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Thursday, January 12, 2017
Inside 2 News
JA of Oxford to host fifth annual charity ball
11 Business
COURTESY OF VISIT OXFORD
The Coop is the rooftop bar and restaurant at the Graduate Hotel on the Square. The hotel will be one of the stops on the city’s first ever Hotel Hop, which is being featured in the inaugural Pop Up Oxford.
Hotel Hop
Oxford Cryotherapy to host grand opening
17 Sports
Visit Oxford organizes unique tour of local lodgings Pop Up Oxford will last from Sunday, Jan. 22, through Saturday, Jan. 28, and feature events and programs celebrating the culVisit Oxford is coordinating with differ- ture of Oxford. The idea for the weeklong ent hotels in town to get ready for their first event came about during a brainstorming ever Hotel Hop as a part of their inaugural session at the Visit Oxford office where they were trying to think of new ways to attract weeklong event, Pop Up Oxford. BY CHANING GREEN NEWS WRITER
visitors to Oxford during the month of January when the sleepy little college town seems a bit drowsier than in other months. They were inspired by the idea of what is called a Chautauqua, and adult education TURN TO HOTEL HOP PAGE 8
Defensive Charger: Family love for soccer has paid off for Rychlak
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THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 2017
JA of Oxford to host fifth annual Charity Ball BY KATHRYN WINTER STAFF WRITER
Junior Auxiliary of Oxford is hosting their fifth Charity Ball at the Powerhouse on Jan. 21. The Mardi Gras theme has carried over to this year’s ball, which is an adult semi-formal event filled with food, drinks, dancing and silent auction items benefitting the children of Lafayette County. Last year, 63 Junior Auxiliary volunteers put in over 2,100 hours of service and completed 13 projects. The event will last from 7:30 p.m. until 11:30 p.m. and the food will be catered by Party Waitin’ to Happen. Music this year is provided by Smiley and the Young Guns. A Kelly Wynne clutch in taupe and black will be up for a raffle at this year’s ball, among other silent auction items. Refillable wine glasses will be available to purchase for a set price. Joanne Mitchell of Oxford JA, said they have been working on the event since last May. “We’ve had a really great team of people who have pulled it together and made it all happen," Mitchell said. "This is our only fundraiser of the year, and it’s how we get money to fund all the projects we do in a year.” Tickets are available from any member of JA, Ross Family Dental, Belles and Bows, and Olive Juice Gifts. The chapter won the Louise
COURTESY
Junior Auxiliary is planning for their fifth annual Charity Ball on Jan. 21 at The Powerhouse. Eskridge Crump Child Welfare Award at national convention for the Adopt-a-Family project that currently serves the Crenshaw family. “We try to do as much as we can to help them,” Mitchell said. Oxford JA serves the children and families of the Oxford-Lafayette County area, including Oxford School District, Lafayette School District, and the University of Mississippi. Other projects include: Art Print, Celebrate Seuss, Camp Bats and Balls, Catch them being kind, Crown club, Project pal, pajama project and
stuff the bus among many others. Mitchell said some of the two most fun projects include Camp Sunshine and Camp Bats and Balls. “Camp Sunshine is a one night sleepover for fifth-grade girls held at Camp Hopewell in the summer and is open to anyone," Mitchell said. "We do this for girls who may not experience a sleep away camp otherwise. Girls can participate in exercise, COURTESY swimming, games and Members of JA have been working on the Mardi Gras themed Charity Ball since last May. crafts. The kids are alfor boys ages two ways so grateful.” Camp Bats and Balls is through four in the Mana one-day camp put on ning Center in part with the Ole Miss Baseball team. Participants have the opportunity to experience a sports camp as they rotate through stations led by the team. They also receive an autographed baseball, lunch, and a t-shirt. JA works with school counselors and teachers to identify boys needy of this camp. “We’re super excited, this is a really fun event," Mitchell said. "We hope to raise a lot of money and that everyone will COURTESY come out and support JA's Charity Ball will feature a live and silent auction with a Oxford JA." variety of items available for bidding.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 2017
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OBITUARIES JOHNNY "SUNSHINE" BUFORD Johnny "Sunshine" Buford, 60, passed away on Monday January 9, 2017, at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Oxford, MS. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by Serenity-Martin Funeral Home of Oxford, MS.
WILLIAM SWINDLE William Swindle, 45, passed away at his home in Calhoun City, MS, Monday, January 9, 2017. There will be a memorial service held at New Wine Fellowship at 129 3rd St., Houston, MS 38851, on Sunday, January 15, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. Bro. Tommy Kelly will be officiating. Coleman Funeral Home of Oxford was in charge of arrangements. Contributions and memorials are to be made to The American Cancer Society. Online condolences can be left on the tribute wall at www.colemanfuneralhome.com.
ERNESTINE TAYLOR WHITEHEAD Ernestine Taylor Whitehead, 88, died Thursday, January 5, 2017, at Providence House in Batesville. The funeral service was held Wednesday, January 11, 2017, at 11:00 a.m. in the Chapel of Waller Funeral Home with Rev. Robert Allen officiating. Burial followed in Oxford Memorial Cemetery. Memorial contributions in Mrs. Whitehead’s memory may be made to First Baptist Church, 800 Van Buren, Oxford, MS 38655.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 2017
Volunteer Oxford Organizes MLK Day of Service BY CHANING GREEN NEWS WRITER
Volunteer Oxford is partnering up with several LOU community organizations next week to mark the MLK Day of Service. Volunteer Oxford has been honoring the civil rights movement leader’s birthday every year since 2011 by organizing different opportunities to give back while educating and empowering the community through the teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The day of events begins at 9 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 16, with a free breakfast hosted at Second Baptist Church on Jackson Avenue. Good Food for Oxford Schools is providing the food for the breakfast. It is being put on through a partnership with volunteers from FoodCorps, AmeriCorps and the Mississippi Sustainable Agriculture Network. The breakfast will include sausage from Brown Family Farms, Mississippi sweet potato biscuits, fresh fruit and coffee. Later at 10:30, the BurnsBelfry Museum and Multicultural Center will hold an awards ceremony featuring Assistant Professor of Sociology and Southern Studies Brian Foster as keynote speaker. There will be five Community Volunteer
Awards given out honoring the service and commitment individuals have made to the LOU community. At 1:30 p.m. at the Oxford Conference Center, The William Winter Institute for Racial Reconciliation will be holding a special screening and discussion of the critically acclaimed film “Selma.” The film follows the story of Dr. King’s march through Selma, Alabama, that took place in 1965 as part of the voting rights movement chapter in the larger Civil Rights Movement. The day of events will end with a community give back night from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Chick-Fil-A on Jackson Avenue and from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Chili’s Bar and Grill. Money raised during this time will go to benefit the Oxford Housing Authority. Throughout the day of events, canned goods as well as fresh foods donation will be taken to benefit the Abundant Truth Salt and Light Ministries Food Pantry Based in Taylor. If anyone wishes to donate food outside of the MLK Day of Service events for whatever reason, the pantry will accept them. Those interested can call 662-380-3587 for more information. Kaitlin Wilkinson is director of Volunteer Oxford and said that this Day of Service
COURTESY OF VOLUNTEER OXFORD
is about honoring MLK’s vision of change through the service he so strongly advocated for throughout his life. “Dr. King’s legacy is about service,” she said. “One of my favorite quotes from him is that ‘Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.’ So doing a community-wide event not only brings everybody together, but it helps us get into the spirit at the be-
ginning of the year to be serving and making our communities better.” Melody Frierson serves as the Youth Engagement Coordinator at the William Winter Institute. She will be facilitating the discussion happening after the screening of “Selma” at the Conference Center that afternoon. “This is important to us at the Winter Institute because our work is grounded in
community,” Frierson said. “We work in communities all over the state, and it is really important to us to be involved in local things here in Oxford because this is where we are based. A lot of our staff live here and their families work and go to school in Oxford. We feel like our specific skill set is useful here, and we are more than happy to provide our services here for free when we can.” Frierson said that the Winter Institute’s involvement in the MLK Day of Service also lines up perfectly with their ideals as an institution and advocate for change. “It speaks to our vision overall,” she said. “We’re the William Winter Institute for Racial Reconciliation. Dr. King’s legacy is more than his ‘I Have a Dream’ speech. He was radical, and we believe in radical change. We believe in love and dialog. It’s kind of a no-brainer that we’d be involved and want to support his legacy.” Additional organizations involved in the Day of Service include the Ole Miss Dean of Students Office, the McLean Institute for Public Service. To find out more information about the MLK Day of Service, check out Volunteer Oxford’s Facebook page. chaning.green@journalinc.com Twitter: chaningthegreen
The Dance Company prepares for spring show BY ALEXA ALMAGUER SPECIAL TO THE OXFORD CITIZEN
Dance is an art unlike any other and requires discipline and respect. In a small town like Oxford that is known for football and school spirit, many forget about the thriving arts community. One organization that is not commonly known is the Ole Miss dance organization known as The Dance Company. The Dance Company located on the University of Mississippi campus has created opportunities for students interested in choreographing, dancing, visual design and stage management. The company provides an environment for students that support the arts.
Members of the dance company are able to study and improve their techniques in all aspects of dance. The Dance Company has been on campus since 1962, formerly known as the University Dancers. It started around 1986. In 1962, the company was directed by the school’s wrestling coach. Today, artistic director Jennifer Mizenko brings many years of experience to the job. Mizenko began dancing at age 5 at a small studio right outside of Cleveland, Ohio. “When I was 5 or 6, I chomy first reographed dance,” she said. “I have always been making up dances.”
She also trained at the Cleveland Institute of Ballet. While in college, Mizenko was originally a pre-med student, but she later realized she didn’t want to become a doctor. Despite her success as artistic director of The Dance Company, she did not always envision herself pursuing a career in dance. “I have to do this,” she said. “This (dance) is in my blood.” After graduating with her master’s degree from Ohio State University, Mizenko was offered a job teaching dance at the University of Mississippi, which is what led her to Oxford. Every year, The Dance Company at Ole Miss
hosts a spring showcase. This enables students to showcase their skills and their own choreography. This showcase shows that the dance studio has become more than just a place of learning, but one of exploration. Students are able to uproot boundaries and awaken the creative instincts within. “I am interested in using all of the theatrical elements," Mizenko said of this year's show. "This year I am planning two pieces. One will be based on a common reading book.” Mizenko said she does not have the pieces complete yet and is still in the process of picking students for the spring show.
Along with the spring show, members of The Dance Company are also able to experience travel opportunities. This year, The Dance Company will be visiting a festival at Auburn University. Mizenko said the company once toured throughout Mississippi. “I’m investigating starting that up again,” she said. University of Mississippi junior Vedra Finch has been attending performances by The Dance Company for the past three years and plans on attending this spring’s showcase as well. “Every year, I look forward to seeing what the company is going to be presenting,” she said. “It’s
amazing being able to see how talented my classmates are.” Although not a dancer herself, Finch is a big fan of the art. “I have always wanted to take a dance class, but sports and academics have always been in the way,” Finch said. Many students that have danced for The Dance Company have gone on to dance professionally after graduating from the University of Mississippi. One of the biggest names that a student has gone on to dance for is the legendary Twyla Tharp. The Dance Company’s spring show will take place April 7-9 in the Meek Auditorium.
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Lydia Peelle coming to Square Book to promote debut novel BY CHANING GREEN NEWS WRITER
Author Lydia Peelle will be coming to Off Square Books on January 19 for a special event to promote her debut novel “The Midnight Cool.” Beginning in 1916, the book’s story follows traveling horse traders, Billy Monday and Charles McLaughlin, as they land in the fictional Tennessee town of Richfield. It is here where the unlikely pair of friends do something they’ve never done before: stay. Charles is a young man, not yet old enough to fight in the Great War raging on the other side of the world. Upon landing in Richfield, he lays eyes on the beautiful Miss Catherine Hatcher, and she becomes all he can think about. Billy, a middle-aged Irish immigrant, has a gift for selling horses that people would normally look over without a second glance. Some people might call it cheating or swindling, but Billy’s motto is caveat emptor. Buyer beware. As the novel progresses, the war in Europe rages on and many are speculating that the United States will soon be involved. Charles gets caught up in the very lucrative world of supplying the British army with mules for the war while Billy tries to tame the horse acquired from Catherine’s father, the mysterious and wealthy Leland Hatcher. With love stories crossing generations playing out against the backdrop of a world at war and a
small Southern town that keeps its secrets, Peelle’s debut novel takes readers on a journey of love, greed and perceived pointlessness in this beautifully written addition to American literature. The spirit of the novel is perhaps best summed up in the words of mule buyer Lloyd Bonnyman who tells Charles “The greatest tragedy of war is the realization that what lies at its center is the human heart.” Peelle first got the idea of the novel when she was working on her first book, a critically acclaimed collection of short stories, “Reasons for and Advantages of Breathing,” which was a New York Times Book Review Editor’s Choice book and received an honorable mention for the prestigious PEN/Hemingway Award. “When I was working on my short stories, I got really passionate about an idea that I quickly realized was going to be longer than a short story,” Peelle said. “It just happened organically. I just set off, making my way through the wilderness with no real plan, and seven years later, it is being published.” Though it did not take seven years to actually write the novel, the process of the getting the storyline together and getting it ready for press was a lengthy one. When she set out to write it, Peelle said she knew very little about World War I, but, as her research on the topic progressed, she became utterly fascinated with the industry of supplying
mules for the Allied Forces as a part of the war effort. She threw herself into research, examining the dis-
semination and effectiveness of propaganda and how it reached even the smallest of Southern
being published exactly 100 years after the bulk of the storyline takes place. In recognition of this centennial, Peelle’s book tour will be much more than a traditional book reading. The event will feature propaganda from the era that Peelle uncovered in her research. There will also be an antique Edison Cylinder there, which readers will recognize from the early parts of the novel. “My hope is that by bringing to the event some of the wonderful music and images I discovered while writing this book, that I can enrich a readers experience,” Peelle said. “I want this to add to the value of the experience they will get from reading the novel. If we pull it off, the book and this event will give them a taste of 1916 and 1917 in small town America.” Peelle’s husband, member of the popular band Old Crow Medicine Show, will be performing songs from the era on a gitjo, a hybrid instrument combining qualities from both a banjo and a guitar. This is an appropriate instrument considering the hybrid nature of the mules that tie much of the novel together. Peelle’s book was published by Harper Collins on January 10 and will be available for purchase at the event. The reading and signing is being called The Midnight Cool Revue and COURTESY OF ALL EYES MEDIA will be kicking off at 5 p.m. at Off Square Books. Retowns. Her storyline freshments will be served. bloomed out of this exploratory research. chaning.green@journalinc.com “The Midnight Cool” is Twitter: chaningthegreen
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THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 2017
BRIEFING Chamber of Commerce 2017 Junior Leadership Program deadline tomorrow Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce is accepting applications for the 2017 Junior Leadership Program. All 10th grade students who live in Oxford and Lafayette County are encouraged to apply. Junior Leadership is a program designed to help high school students develop the essential leadership skills to be successful in the future. More than 450 students have graduated from the program since its inception in 1998. The sessions are developed to introduce the students to team building techniques, goal setting strategies and are required to complete a community project prior to graduation. Through dynamic community speakers and onsite tours of local facilities such as Baptist Memorial Hospital, Caterpillar, Chancery Building and various facilities at the University, the students are able to get a unique view of what goes on in their community. “Through these sessions they see the variety of professions and services offered here in Oxford," said Junior Leadership Chair Lolita Gregory. "Going through this course may give them a better understanding of various jobs and help in making career decisions.” The participants will work together in a program that combines nine group sessions plus time invested in actual community projects that require them to use and develop leadership skills. Training sessions include leadership, team building, medicine, education, legal field and law enforcement, government, career development, and the arts, among other topics. Each session students get an opportunity to
meet top government officials, university professionals, medical specialists and local business leaders. The program runs from late January through the mid April and meets on Monday afternoons after school from 4:15 till 6:15 p.m. The program is restricted to 10th grade students from within Oxford and Lafayette County. Acceptance is based on completion of the required forms and documents by the deadline of Friday, and the payment of $50 tuition fee. The class is limited to 25 participants. Preference will be given to applicants who, in addition to their potential for leadership, would contribute to the overall diversity and strength of the class and have available time to commit to the program. Notification of acceptance into the program will be made by phone on or before Jan. 17. Orientation will take place Jan. 23, and the program will conclude with a graduation ceremony on April 18. Junior Leadership is sponsored by Your Extra Closet, Oxford's clean, safe and simple choice for self storage. Applications and a full schedule of sessions are available in the school counselor’s offices, online at www.oxfordms.com or can be picked up at the Chamber of Commerce at 299 Jackson Avenue West. For questions and further information please call Pam Swain, Senior Vice President, at the Chamber office at 662-234-4651.
award and the HHCAHPS Elite 2016 award. HomeCare Elite annually recognizes the top 25 percent of all Medicare-certified agencies and identifies the nation’s Top 100 and Top 500 agencies. This is measured through five pillars of performance: quality of care, quality of improvement and consistency, patient experience, process measure implantation, and financial performance. Whereas HomeCare Elite measures various performance avenues, HHCAHPS specifically focuses on patient experience. HHCAHPS stands for Home Health Consumer Assessment of Health Care Providers and Systems and is a standardized costumer feedback survey designed specifically for home health companies. Representing the nation’s 33,000 home care and hospice organizations, The National Association for Home Care & Hospice is a nonprofit that advocates for nurses, therapists, aides, and other caregivers that provide in-home services to more than 12 million Americans each year. NAHC is the standard for home care and enables its members to maintain the highest quality of care and excellence by continuously providing information. Camellia is a Mississippi-based healthcare company founded in 1974. Employing hundreds of dedicated professionals, Camellia cares for thousands of patients on a daily basis across the Southeastern Camellia United States. The comHealthcare pany has 32 home health/hospice offices Won Two throughout Mississippi, Awards at NAHC Louisiana, Tennessee, and Alabama, including Conference in Oxford. Camellia While at The National Healthcare is a Medicare certified, Association for Home state-licensed provider Care & Hospice annual of home health care, conference, Camellia Home Health & Hospice hospice, private duty won both the Homecare nursing and pharmaceuticals. Elite 2016 Top Agency
THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 2017
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Brummett named director of local United Way BY CHANING GREEN NEWS WRITER
Kurt Brummett has been named the newest executive director of the United Way of Oxford-Lafayette County. A native of Tremont, Illinois, Brummett came to Oxford in 1996 to pursue a degree from the University of Mississippi and has remained as a member of the community ever since. He is married to Kelly Brummett, who works with the North Mississippi Regional Center as licensed social worker. The pair have a child in the Oxford School District. Brummett was named executive director at the beginning of December and brought the organization into the new year. The new director said that he’s looking forward to leading the organization in the coming years and so far greatly enjoyed his time with the United Way. Brummett took time out of is day Monday to sit down with the Oxford Citizen to discuss the directors history and his recent appointment with the nonprofit. OXFORD CITIZEN: Where are you from? KURT BRUMMETT: Well, I’m originally from Tremont, Illinois. I came to Ole Miss in August of ‘96 and have been here ever since. I got a bachelor’s of art in sociology with a minor in economics. Then I earned a master’s degree in sociology, where my primary emphases were demography as well as community development. OXFORD CITIZEN: Why Ole Miss? BRUMMETT: Though I grew up in Illinois, a lot of my family was from this area. Even though I wasn’t born in Oxford, I’ve been coming here every summer since I was a child. I grew to love the university and the opportunities it presented from an academic perspective. I enjoyed my six years at Ole Miss. It’s just a great university and it brings so much to our community though great programs and opportunities they
offer. It was a good deci- knowing about the difference that the United Way sion for me. has made in our commuOXFORD CITIZEN: What nity. We do everything did you do before you from early childhood eduwere appointed to your cation programs, to workto combat current role with the ing homelessness. The good United Way? BRUMMETT: I was the re- thing about the United search and innovation di- Way, I like to say, is we are rector for the Three Rivers able to make an impact on Planning and Develop- the youngest to the oldest. ment District. I was over a We work through Excel variety of grants, site development, planning and by 5 to prepare young chila lot of geographic infor- dren to have a great start to mation systems work. I education. We help fund Meals on Wheels, which was there for 14 years. provides meals to elderly OXFORD CITIZEN: Talk individuals in our commuabout your current role nity who might not otherwise be able to have those. with the United Way. BRUMMETT: Well, I It’s just a great organizastarted as executive direc- tion. I know that, a lot of tor on Dec. 1. This is my times, when people think first time working with of the United Way, they them. I’ve heard for years think of us as more of a naabout the wonderful work tional organization, but, in the United Way does. It reality, we are here. We’re a was always something that local organization made greatly interested me in up of board members, volterms of being able to unteers and member of make more of an impact in the community to make the Oxford-Lafayette sure that funds are spent to make a significant imCounty community. In my role, I help to lead pact on the community. and participate in coalitions like the LOU Excel by OXFORD CITIZEN: What 5 Coalition and LOU do you want people to Reads. I also work with our know about the Oxfordboard of directors to allo- Lafayette County United cate funding to different Way? programs in the commuBRUMMETT: We’re part of nity. I have general over- the community. We want sight of our office. We people to see us as an orcurrently have me, our as- ganization that does good sociate director, Kathy work throughout all of Williams, and our Ameri- Lafayette County. We try to Corps Vistas, Ben Strass- make certain that the man and Edy Dingus. money that is so graciously donated to us goes OXFORD CITIZEN: Do to good causes. A big part of that is the work of the you like your new job? BRUMMETT: Oh, yes. This board and the groups that is a great organization. We receive applications subhave a wonderful staff and mitted by our partners to getting to work with the ensure we’re making an great partners we have in impact. the community, working Sometimes the numbers with our board of directors aren’t always the best, but to make sure our dollars we try to look at everything that are donated to the from a qualitative as well United Way go toward a as a quantitative perspecgood cause, making signif- tive. We are entrusted with icant impacts in the LOU this money and we do our community —it’s all just so very best to make certain it great. goes to a good cause. I’m proud to be a part of that OXFORD CITIZEN: What’s and proud to be able to your favorite part of your make such an impact in the LOU Community, the job so far? BRUMMETT: That’s a place I’ve called home for tough question. I guess my more than 20 years. favorite part of all of it would have to be waking chaning.green@journalinc.com up every morning, and Twitter: chaningthegreen
COURTESY OF KURT BRUMMETT
Kurt Brummett has been named the executive director of the United Way of Oxford-Lafayette County.The Illinois native and Ole Miss alumnus has been a resident of Oxford for more than 20 years.
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THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 2017
Hotel Hop FROM 1
movement that began in the early 20th century and brought together culture and entertainment in various formats like lectures and other events and programs. Visit Oxford is hoping to encompass this movement by hosing various events, speakers, exhibits and musical components throughout the week. “The Chautauqua idea, which I was familiar with, came up, and we thought we could base it off of that idea of having a week to celebrate Oxford’s rich cultural scene in various ways,” said Director of Visit Oxford Mary Allyn Hedges in an email to the Citizen. “We reached out to all of the hotels in town as well as other partner organizations who would want to get involved. It evolved into a week full of programming from everything from movie screenings and lectures to a TEDx talk and concluding with the Fiber Arts Festival, plus several book signings at Off Square Books and Thacker Mountain Radio. People were really excited to get involved in an event in January, when things are typically pretty quiet in town.” The Hotel Hop is being hosted on the first day of Pop Up Oxford and will last from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Hotels will be hosing food and drink tastings to guests who would like to know a little more about what they have to offer as a business. The day will begin with participants taking part in the Hotel Hop Meeting at the Visit Oxford office on the Square. The first event will be hosted by the Chancellor’s House at the Visit Oxford office, and will offer fine wine and cheese pairings. After that, the group will stop by the Inn at Ole Miss on the campus of the University of Mississippi. The Inn at Ole Miss will serve a hot soup and adult beverage combo to warm up attendees as they make their way to their next destination, the Green Roof Lounge at the Courtyard Marriott on Jackson Avenue. This stop will feature a special tapas menu and cocktail tasting.
PHOTO COURTESY OF VISIT OXFORD
The Inn at Ole Miss on the campus of the University of Mississippi is also among the hotels featured on the Hotel Hop. The last stop on the tour will feature The Coop at the Graduate Hotel. This rooftop bar will round out the evening with a mixology demonstration and desserts. Participating hotels will be offering shuttle service and the Double Decker Bus will also be providing transportation to each stop. “Pop Up Oxford is going to be a
great event, reminding everyone of all the amazing things Oxford has to offer,” said Nadia Thornton, assistant general manager for the Inn at Ole Miss. “With the Hotel Hop to kick off the week, we look forward to showing tourists and residents in the area what incredible hotels we have. Every hotel has something unique to feature and
we look forwarding to sharing that.” For more information about the Hotel Hop, Pop Up Oxford and how to purchase tickets, visit www.popupoxfordms.com. chaning.green@journalinc.com Twitter: chaningthegreen
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Lafayette County School Board swears in East, Larson BY CHANING GREEN NEWS WRITER
The Lafayette County School Board hosted their first meeting of the new year Monday evening in the Lafayette County School District Central Office. Before the meeting could begin, the two newest board members, elected in November’s election, had to be sworn into office. Lafayette #> County Justice Court Judge Johnny Wayne McLarty swore in the new members of the school board just minutes before the meeting was set to begin. Brent Larson, who replaced Johnny #> Parker for the District 1 seat on the school board, and Kimberly East, who replaced Bob Colston in District 2, put their hands on the Bible as they repeated the oaths of office. Each of their respective spouses held the Bible as the oath was repeated. One of the first orders of business as the meeting began was to name a new board president and secre-
Parker and Colston. With two of those three no longer in office, new members had to be appointed. The school board voted Bill McGregor of District 5 and East to serve on the vocational school’s board with Thompson. The board was also given a new strategic plan to review that includes, among other things, a new school district logo and motto. The board will take the month of January to review the packet and will vote on whether or not to adopt it at the next meeting of the board on the first Monday of February. The short meeting ended with Rud Robinson Jr. of PryorMorrow Architects standing before the board. Robinson’s company was contracted to oversee the renovations recently made PHOTO BY CHANING GREEN to the middle school auditoKimberly East of District 2 and Brent Larson of District 1 were both elected to serve on the Board of Trustees for the Lafayette rium. He reported that the County School District. They were sworn in by Lafayette County Justice Court Judge Johnny Wayne McLarty Monday evening project was able to be combefore the school board’s regularly scheduled meeting began. pleted $13,000 under the budget that was originally tary. East was nominated of District 3 was then nomi- choose three board mem- ously, those members were set aside for the project. and voted in as secretary, nated and voted in as board bers to serve on the Oxford Thompson (who remains chaning.green@journalinc.com Colston previously held the president. Lafayette School of Applied president of that board as Twitter: chaningthegreen position. Judith Thompson The board also had to Technology Board. Previ- well as the LCSD board),
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THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 2017
Community Church now hosting services at Lafayette auditorium BY CHANING GREEN NEWS WRITER
Community Church of Oxford has officially made the move from the Activities Center to the newly renovated Lafayette County High School auditorium. Community Church has been serving the people of Oxford since January of 2014. They function as a “church in a box,” as Lead Pastor Fish Robinson terms it, in that they host services in a location that is not a permanent sanctuary or church facility. For nearly the past three years, the church has found a home with the Oxford Park Commission’s Activity Center on South 15th Street. Though the church enjoyed a great relationship with the City and the facilities central location in town, parking was becoming a bit of challenge at the Activities Center. When the City relocated Price Street, the center lost a significant amount of parking. This coupled with a few other
factors including the big changes OPC is beginning to go through in terms of expansion and construction, Community Church made the decision last summer to part ways with the parks commission. “The Oxford Park Commission was amazing to us,” Robinson said. “We loved our relationships there and the partnerships we made there, but they’ve got a lot of things up coming with new buildings and construction and things like that. We just felt like it was a good time for us to step away.” Once the decision had been made, Robinson and his crew began scouting for a new location to host worship services. He reached out to Superintendent Adam Pugh and said the church would be willing to pay to rent the space from the school district if they would be interested. After meeting with school board a few times beginning in early September to discuss the possibility, the school board approved the
COURTESY OF FISH ROBINSON
Community Church of Oxford has begun holding services in the Lafayette County Middle School Auditorium. The church previously met at the OPC Activities Center on Sundays. church’s usage of the space and approved a contract with them. “One of the things that we really love about being in a school is that it gives us a chance to continue supporting the community,” Robinson said. “For example, say that we find out that teachers are in need of something. We as a church
would then be able to ban together and try to donate those things.” When Community Church first moved into the auditorium, there was no substantial projected system available to use. So the church bought one. They paid for the addition of two new projectors and screens that the church will
use on Sundays and that the school can use at any point throughout the week. Robinson said that the church’s experience at the school district has been phenomenal so far. The large auditorium seats more than 400 people and has a stage installed. This move to the Lafayette
County campus also saves the church a good bit of distance because they are located on the same road as the school district. “For us, being called Community Church, our goal has always been to chase after our community,” Robinson said. “And with our offices being right here on 334 as well, it’s just a win for us. We don’t have to travel very far at all. People can also identify us with this side of town. Our location is right here. This is where we’re at.” Robinson went on to say that the auditorium with its large seating capacity and stage area, there is less work involved for the volunteers and church staff in terms of setting up the space for worship services. Services are held every Sunday, with one at 9 a.m. and one at 11. For more information about Community Church and their work, check out their Facebook page. chaning.green@journalinc.com Twitter: chaningthegreen
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THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 2017
KATHRYN WINTER
Oxford Cryotherapy hosts their grand opening this weekend at 2686 West Oxford Loop, Suite 124.
Oxford Cryotherapy to host grand opening BY KATHRYN WINTER STAFF WRITER
A new type of chill is coming to Oxford on Friday at Oxford Cryotherapy’s grand opening. Cryotherapy lasts for about three minutes and works by exposing the body to temperatures ranging from -250 to -300 degrees. This type of freezing can help with reducing cellulite, decreasing inflammation, boosting metabolism and providing chronic pain relief. During the grand opening this weekend, owners Pat and Suanne Messer will be giving away door prizes and have a drawing
to win a one month free membership. Everyone’s first session is $25, and after that a session is $65. Students, seniors and military get a reduced rate of $45, and people who want unlimited membership passes can be purchased. Sessions can be booked online, but since the process of cryotherapy lasts 10 minutes at the most, they will be taking walk-ins. Cryotherapy was developed in Japan in the seventies, but is new to the U.S. Europeans have also been doing this kind of therapy for years. “Some people have said
it feels like ‘standing out in the snow naked,’ or going ‘duck hunting,’" Suanne Messer said. "We use cotton gloves and socks to keep fingers and toes from getting frostbite. Women can have everything off, or leave on cotton underwear. Metal is not allowed, so all jewelry must be removed. Men must keep their underwear on during the three minute process.” Pat Messer, a former nurse, wanted to invest in cryotherapy because she suffers from rheumatoid arthritis and first tried the freeze therapy while visiting friends in Texas. It helped relieve her pain from the symptoms, so she decided to bring
the cryotherapy to Oxford to help others. “During the three minutes you spend freezing, the body is removing toxins and replenishing the nutrients with the blood throughout the body, and finishing with the body recovering back to a new and improved state of well-being,” Pat Messer said. “It has been known to increase energy and improve sleep, improve skin issues (acne, eczema, and stretch marks) and each session burns up to 800 calories.” Currently, Pat works as an account manager in IVIG sales with Biocure. Finding different treatments besides drugs to
help treat her pain was important to her. After trying it multiple times and having great results with pain relief she knew it would be an awesome opportunity to share with the people of Oxford. Suanne is a dance teacher and said that the therapy helps her muscles to relax and increase blood flow throughout her body. "I have personally seen the results and am excited to share it with the rest of Oxford," Suanne Messer said. "Oxford is growing and is all about trying new things, so we thought why not give it a go?” Anyone with heart disease or elevated blood
pressure will not be allowed to get in the machine, as well as anyone under the age of 14. With parental consent, ages 1418 will be allowed to use the machines. There are three rooms in the building, two for cryotherapy, and one extra room available for rent to an acupuncturist, massage therapist, or something like cupping. Oxford Cryotherapy is located at 2686 West Oxford Loop, Suite 124. The grand opening this weekend is Friday from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. For more information, follow them on Facebook or visit oxfordcryo.com.
OXFORD CITIZEN
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THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 2017
500 Craft, Holly Springs $675,000
Excellent location for a combination convenience store / restaurant. Great opportunity for owner operation. 10,000 sq. ft & 80 parking spaces. MLS# 136110. Call Danny Flowers – 662-816-7294 or James Hunter- 662-871-8658.
Hwy 6 West, Oxford$1,895,000
This property is made up of 9 parcels for a total of approximately 75 acres. Good highway frontage. Oxford City Schools. Call today for more information. MLS#135269. Call Danny Flowers – 662-816-7294.
LAND FOR SALE
CR 331 -200 +/- wooded acres available as a future home site or hunter’s paradise. MLS#134132. $400,000.
Polina Wheeler
Hwy 6, Oxford
Paula Crum
$693,600
Good Development location, one small lake on property with several other potential spots. 102 acres available. Owner is a licensed MS real estate Broker. MLS# 135604. Call Danny Flowers – 662-816-7294.
214 CR 274, Oxford
$89,900
Eileen Saunders
2092 Old Taylor Rd. • Oxford
662-234-5344
tmhomes.com
Danny Flowers
517 Hwy 7, Oxford
$1,200,000
Building and approx. 2.3 acres make up this prime business location. This commercial location is approx. 13,000 sq. ft., with 10,000 being in the main open area of the shop and an additional 3,000 sq. ft. divided between 2 floors house offices, break rooms and possible living space. The current business, and equipment are not for sale just the building and land. MLS# 136920. Call Danny Flowers – 662-816-7294.
2422 S. Lamar, Oxford $750,000
Braemer Park Lots $129,000-$159,000
Come live in the Highlands of Oxford, MS where nature is always present. Select your Highlands’ Lot NOW before they are all taken! No time restrictions to start. You can begin your custom home when you are ready to build, but immediately begin taking advantage of the private ~80 Acre spring fed Trophy Lake and all the numerous amenities of Braemar Park right away. (Minimum required (heated/cooled) space is a minimum of 2500 square feet.). MLS# 136853. Call Paula Crum – 662.701.7789.
245 CR 164
$140,000
CR 430 - 146.5 acres of untouched nature. Just a few miles from Lafayette County High School. MLS#134789. $439,500. CR 430-B - wooded 20 acre home site with deed restrictions. Additional acreage negotiable. MLS# 135599. $60,000.
The Highlands - 2.5 + acre building lots with lake view in The Highlands MLS# 136113. Call Paula Crum for more information –
662.701.7789.
Hwy 6, Oxford
$1,010,000
Prime commercial lot with homesite and other buildings. 4 acres with 500 feet frontage on busy HWY 6 West just minutes from the Jackson Avenue intersection. Possible commercial development or business relocation. Includes spacious home to live in or convert to office space, B&B, doctor's office… opportunities are endless. Detached 2 car garage features additional workshop space. MLS# 135695. Call Eileen Saunders 662-404-0816 or Polina Wheeler- 662-401-4632.
Lafayette County! Build your dream home on this quiet country road surrounded by nature. Located just minutes from the square. The property is partially cleared with utilities.MLS# 137244. Call Dede Lewis662-681-6997.
Rare opportunity for commercial property available on South Lamar near the hospital. Sale includes 1) Address 2422 South Lamar--one lot and building zoned commercial and 2) Address 2418 South Lamar--one lot and house zoned residential. On-street parking or redevelop and add more. MLS# 136111. Call Eileen Saunders662-404-0816 or Polina Wheeler- 662-401-4632.
CRENSHAW - Three acres of land with a fixer-upper. Property includes a shed and several large shade trees. Being sold in its current condition. Potential rental income as it is. Central to Tunica, Senatobia and Como. Just north of downtown Crenshaw. MLS# 136657. Call Eileen Saunders- 662-404-0816.
Beautiful 322 acre piece of property with a very large 100 acre private lake. This property is a great get-away less than 25 minutes from Oxford. Enjoy spending time in nature and fishing on the gorgeous lake. This place is a must-see! Owner also has a 2.4 and 2.5 acre parcel that can be negotiated as well. Owner is willing to consider owner financing. MLS# 136279 Call Paula Crum662.701.7789 or Danny Flowers- 662.816.7294.
854 Askew Rd.
$60,000
300 CR 442, OXFORD $1,500,000
Wooded rolling hills with 10 year to mature timber. Road frontage on two sides, former home site, with some county utilities present. Possible development or single family home site. Your own piece of country living just 15 minutes from Oxford. MLS#134943. Call Eileen Saunders – 662-404-0816.
4003 Sutherland
$96,500
The Highlands - Have you ever wanted to just get away from all the hustle and bustle of city life, especially the stressful traffic jams? Find peace and tranquility where the only the sounds you hear are the sounds of nature as the buzz of honey bees, the grazing of deer and flapping of eagles wings as they fly over the ~80-acre Trophy Lake and ~30-acre Braemar Park. This ~2.4 acre lot is one of the lowest priced available and will not last long! (Lafayette County Schools; minimum required (heated/cooled space is 3,000sf). MLS# 136974. Call Paula Crum – 662.701.7789.
OXFORD CITIZEN
THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 2017
PAGE 13
December Sales Leaders TOP LISTER
TOP S ELLER
Danny Flowers
Blake Thompson
TOP PRODUCERS
Polina Wheeler
Weesie Biedenharn
Eileen Saunders
PAGE 14
OXFORD CITIZEN
THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 2017
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OXFORD CITIZEN
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OXFORD CITIZEN
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THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 2017
RebelWell Program Expands to Local Businesses with HealthyOxford BY KATHRYN WINTER STAFF WRITER
RebelWell program is now reaching out to local businesses in Oxford, in an effort to provide wellness opportunities to employees called HealthyOxford. Each month RebelWell will feature a local business and spotlight their wellness efforts and activities for employees and customers. The first business to receive the award is FNC Inc. FNC revolutionized real estate collateral information technology. Since the mid-1990s, FNC has offered solutions that automate appraisal ordering, tracking, documentation and review for lender compliance with government regulations. RebelWell is a program funded by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Mississippi, and developed through the university. RebelWell provides a range of opportunities for university employees, school age children, public school educators, university students and the greater LOU community. The program encourages healthy lifestyles through group fitness class, cooking demonstrations, nutrition counseling, and an array of programs and partnerships that focus on increasing physical activ-
ity and nutrition education. RebelWell project coordinator, Wendy Carmean said while doing research for the program, they learned that many local businesses, of all shapes and sizes, already offer wellness opportunities for their employees. “There are businesses in our community who go above and beyond to offer wellness opportunities for employees and their customers,” Carmean said. “These are important elements for creating a positive quality of life for the people who live and work in our town.” RebelWell believes FNC’s continued wellness efforts make it clear they believe in the importance of wellness for their employees. Bethany Cooper, HR Business Manager at
FNC said that the company works hard to provide resources that will have an impact. “From free fitness and yoga classes, held on-site, to healthy snacks in our break room, we want to do things that resonate with our employees.” Some of FNC’S wellness efforts include encouraging employees to hold walking meetings in the park across the street. “FNC’s management believes walking meetings are great opportunities for one-onone discussions and brainstorming sessions. Because of this, many FNC employees have developed healthier lifestyles, spurred by the company’s in-house wellness competitions.” FNC also offers an annual on-site health screening, which includes
a series of quick tests and measurements that provide employees with a snapshot of their current health status. “FNC recognizes that knowing your numbers is important to a healthy lifestyle, and on site health screenings may help identify health concerns before they are serious health problems,” Cooper said. FNC will display the RebelWell golden sneaker trophy at their office on Office Park Drive for the month and permanently display the HealthyOxford Business window decal signifying outstanding things in the wellness space. “We appreciate FNC’s efforts to provide a healthy workplace and wellness opportunities for their employees,” Carmean said. “We hope
through their example and the encouragement of HealthyOxford Business other companies will do the same. In a world of constant contact from smart phones, very little time left to make healthy food choices and even less time to squeeze in enough physical activity, it’s important to highlight employers and businesses who make an effort to help their employees or customers take care of themselves. Healthier people tend to be happier people, and we appreciate everyone who does their part to keep Oxford the happy place we all love.” Pam Swain, Senior VicePresident for the Oxford Chamber of Commerce and RebelWell’s HealthyOxford Community Advisory board member said
the program is a way to show how local businesses are already contributing to the health of our community. “HealthyOxford is a way to share wellness ideas and show community members how so many of our local employers and businesses go to great lengths to take care of their employees and customers. Worksite wellness is becoming a necessary element of running a business, and we want to help show that wellness doesn’t always have to be a formal program. Small steps here and there add up.” Anyone interested in recommending a company or business for HealthyOxford recognition, contact Wendy Carmean at wendy@olemiss.edu.
Program hopes to develop project ideas, motivate entrepreneurs BY KATHRYN WINTER OXFORD CITIZEN
The Oxford-Lafayette County Economic Development Foundation (EDF) along with the Yoknapatawpha Arts Council (YAC) is kicking off a free entrepreneur and mentoring program on Jan. 28. The nine-month program will start with a reception and information session organized by the Oxford-Lafayette Chamber of Commerce, EDF and YAC. The program will give North Mississippi artists, business owners, inventors and startup enthusiasts an opportunity to develop an idea into their
own sustainable small business. The Big Bad Business Series will include seminars, workshops, and action sessions designed to turn a great idea into a viable small business. It is a combination of EDF programming like the AdvoCare Challenge and the Arts Incubator Workshop series produced by the YAC. “We’re trying to build a community that fosters business," said Wayne Andrews, executive director of the YAC. "If we create it here, it will stay here. FNC was homegrown, what will businesses be in 20 years?” monthly Through
workshops and breakout sessions, participants will learn from some of the region’s most successful business executives, innovate with local artists and receive business coaching from local development experts. Another notable event will be the Ted Talks at the Gertrude C. Ford Center on Jan. 28, along with a grant writing and state resources workshop with Diane Williams of the Mississippi Arts Commission on Jan. 27, and the first challenge meeting on January 30 hosted by James Carden of the University of Mississippi Small Business Development Center.
“We found that YAC and EDF were offering similar programming to encourage small business growth in Lafayette County," Andrews said. "Whether you’re in the creative arts, manufacturing or technology, there are commonalities in business that you have to know. The Big Bad Business Series helps streamline the program so that we can have bigger payoffs-the action sessions like Startup Weekend, the Gillespie Business Challenge for university students, and the Night of Genius in September." The program balances small seminars and workshops with large action
events to help build networks between entrepreneurs and mentors from established businesses. Night of Genius will be a community event where participants in the program will explain their business idea and receive feedback from a panel of small business experts. “People will be able to get in front of potential investors and also learn about and connect with the skills and resources of established businesses,” Andrews said. Jan. 30 will begin the Challenge Meeting – getting started, how to write a business plan, stages of business and legal structure.
“Each month will include a challenge meeting and an action session that will increase your knowledge to advance your business idea to the next level," said Meghan Gallagher, a coordinator of the program. "Most of the workshops and sessions are free, and we recognize that someone may not be able to make every sessions, but there are incentives for those attending more than one session.” For more information, participants can contact Allen Kurr at 662-2344651 or allen@oxfordms.com, or Meghan Gallagher at 662236-6429 or outreachyac@gmail.com.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 2017
PAGE 17
Parrish Alford Ole Miss Sports
Ole Miss offense, tempo success, conference pride and more
W
ith Clemson scoring “just” 35 points against Alabama to win the national championship, it is now official that Ole Miss’ 43 points were the most scored against Alabama this season. Subtract the defensive touchdown, and it’s still the most. Alabama held its opponents to 12 points or fewer nine times this season. Teams change through a football season, and Ole Miss did not change for the better. The Alabama defense, though, was strong at the beginning. When the Rebels were healthy with Chad Kelly and were playing better, they were a very good offense. It will be interesting to see what healthy running backs and a new running scheme can yield early next season. Lots of folks in recent weeks have expressed amazement at the idea that Ole Miss would score 43 points against Alabama. As I said, teams change. The Ole Miss of October or November would not likely have reached 43.
IN OTHER NOTES Clemson ran 99 plays, the most run against Alabama, not just this season, not just against a Nick Saban-coached team, but ever. When Ole Miss defeated Alabama 43-37 in Tuscaloosa in 2015, the Rebels ran 65 plays. Ole Miss benefited from good field position or a big play and scored quickly. The Rebels did not have a scoring drive longer than 2 minutes, 53 seconds in that game. The defense had little time to rest and was gassed at the end. Alabama ran 100 plays. Forty-six of those plays came in the fourth quarter when the Rebels couldn’t get off the field. This is why so many coaches favor the up-tempo approach to offense. Ole Miss ran 73 plays in the game in Oxford this season.
JOEY BRENT
Oxford sophomore defender Olivia Rychlak has helped stabilize the back line for the undefeated Lady Chargers this season.
Defensive Charger Family love for soccer has paid off for Rychlak BY JOHN DAVIS
ELSEWHERE The SEC’s 6-7 bowl record was eighthbest among the 10 conferences and the Independents, a group of two that went 2-0. When you have 13 teams playing, you TURN TO OLE MISS PAGE 19
SPORTS WRITER
Soccer is like family to Oxford's Olivia Richly. The sophomore defender has been playing the sport for years and she's watched her five older siblings all garner success from run-
ning up and down the pitch. Each of Rychlak's sisters played soccer, and at least through half of their careers in high school for the Lady Chargers. “We all started playing when we were 4 or the youngest you could start,” Rychlak said. “Some of my siblings were more into it than others but
I think my older sister, Lindsey, was part of a real successful team. They had two losses on the season. They all really love soccer. It's really a family thing we all kind of bond over.” Mary Helen, who is six or seven TURN TO RYCHLAK PAGE 20
OXFORD CITIZEN
PAGE 18
THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 2017
Ready to Rebound Lafayette's Burgess all about hitting the boards BY JOHN DAVIS SPORTS WRITER
If a basketball is in the air, on either side of the court, Lafayette's Xhiir Burgess almost certainly has a bead on it. The sophomore is all about rebounding for the Lafayette Lady Commodores. It's her thing to do on the team, her identity if you will. Burgess has always been a rebounder as long as she has been playing basketball. Her father, Derrick, told her early on be aggressive. And when Burgess turned out to be a pretty good rebounder, she kept up with it. “Without a rebound, you don't have anything. You can't get second-chance shots on offense and defensive rebounds, it keeps the other team from scoring,” Burgess said. “And defense wins championships.” Defense has really been a key to the Lady Commodores' success this season. Some teams have struggled to even score a basket against them, and the ones that have earn every point thanks to the likes of Burgess. “I think we have a chance to do some big things, but we have work to do. There are things that we still have to do better,” Burgess said. “It's good when you still have work to do. We have to work on finishing.” The thing that Burgess has gained the most since she started in the Lafayette program, dating all the way back to seventh grade, is confidence. “I was so afraid, terrified back then,” said Burgess, who wasn't told that she was playing pretty well until she was in ninth grade. “My dad told me that I could do something with it and to keep working.” Burgess has leaned on her father for guidance in regards to her athletic career, and it's obvious that his words of wisdom have made an impact. “He's big for me. He teaches me things that he was taught and that he learned in the NFL,” she said. “He tells me to be
JOEY BRENT
Xhiir Burgess is all about rebounding for the Lafayette Lady Commodores. humble and to work hard and that helps me out a lot.” Another area of Burgess' game that has improved since she first started playing on the varsity level is her scoring. Being able to provide consistent points is
a good feeling for Burgess, who now has confidence to put the ball into the hole instead of pass to someone else. “I'm still more of a put back person. I still have to work on my mental part as far as shooting the ball,”
Burgess said. “I have to slow it down in my mind. I move too fast sometimes.” Basketball could lead to a college scholarship for Burgess. Or at least she wouldn't mind that happening in the future. In order for that chance to
come, Burgess said she has to keep rebounding. Through the first 15 games, she was leading the team with 5.2 rebounds per game. LeShaun Adams coached Burgess in middle school and said that she was a
great competitor. One of the ways she got better from last year was finding a way to turn disappointment into a positive. “She was disappointed that she did not reach the TURN TO BURGESS PAGE 21
OXFORD CITIZEN
THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 2017
PAGE 19
Neal Responds to Role Change some shots.” Neal is one of, if not the best, shooters on the roster, and Kennedy said Neal is at his best when offense is ran for him and he’s able to set and shoot. He was proven right at Auburn. Point guard might be the position of the past. “We’ve changed his role, obviously,” Kennedy said. “We’ve been point guard, point guard, point guard. But (against Auburn), we made a change. He didn’t play any point. He’s still a primary ball-handler; we still trust his decisionmaking. He was trying to be the inbounder vs. (Auburn’s) pressure. We didn’t do that as well as I would’ve hoped, but I thought he made pretty good decisions with the ball. “I was just proud he knocked down open looks, man. He’s a good shooter, most especially when he’s set. We tried to put him in actions where he could do what he does, and he made big plays for us down the stretch.” Breein Tyree started the game at point guard, though Deandre Burnett was given the majority of the minutes in the second half. Burnett led the team with 18 points, with most of his damage coming from the free throw line. He was 10 of 12. Expect more of the same going forward, even if Saturday was a departure what Kennedy from deemed as Ole Miss’ usual formula. The Rebels entered the game tops in the SEC in rebounding margin. They were minus-10. They also had more turnovers than assists, which they were able to overcome and win for just the second time this season. Instead, Ole Miss (10-5, 1-2 SEC) made plays down the stretch, its new-look lineup coming through when the Rebels’ needed it
the most. They next host Georgia (10-5, 2-1 SEC) Wednesday at 6 p.m. CT. The Rebels and the Bulldogs have split the last 16 meetings between the two schools. “We’ve got one guy (Sebastian Saiz) who’s commanding such attention that’s it’s allowing other guys to be free,” Kennedy said. “With the way they have to guard Sebas in the post, he’s hard to handle one-on-one. He’s doing a better job reading of where the help is coming from and trying to deliver the ball. But other than (Saiz), we’re going to be a work in progress finding guys that play well in certain opportunities. We shortened the bench; that’s what you do on the road in the SEC. We shortened the bench and the guys responded.” None more so than Neal.
though, at 9-3, three games ahead of the SEC, which had the second-most bowl wins. FROM 18 The Big 10 was 3-7, finhave more chances for ishing ahead of only the both success and failure. AAC and the MAC, the latThe ACC was pretty stout, ter going 0-6.
The whole No. 1 conference thing is a moving target every year, but it’s hard to argue against the ACC. The SEC’s case weakened amid some shuffling of its second-tier teams.
BY BEN GARRETT SPECIAL TO OXFORD CITIZEN
Cullen Neal was considered one of the best available graduate transfers in college basketball when he opted to leave New Mexico to finish his career last spring. He was pursued by, among others, Ole Miss, Ohio State and Texas A&M, each school envisioning Neal as a readymade point guard who could step in and potentially be the missing piece for an NCAA Tournament hopeful. He ultimately decided on the Rebels. His familiarity with head coach Andy Kennedy was undoubtedly the most important factor, but the departure of Stefan Moody, the team’s starting point guard, to graduation certainly helped, too. But 15 games into the 2016-17 season, Neal’s role has already changed. His turnover issues at New Mexico, where he had 101 in his final Lobo season, carried over, and Ole Miss’ offense struggled with rhythm and pace as a result. So, Kennedy moved Neal off the ball against Auburn, and after failing to score even one first-half basket, Neal came alive in the second, totaling 13 points on 4 of 7 from the field in an 88-85 Ole Miss win. He was 3 of 6 from 3. “It hasn’t been too difficult because my teammates are always talking to me, and we’re always talking to each other,” Neal said of his role change. “As you’ve seen, we’ve changed a lot of lineups since the year started. If A.K. continues to do that, we’ll be ready. We’re always ready. “I was just trying to stay aggressive. I have a little different role now, but I was trying to stay aggressive and shoot when I was open. I was able to make
Ole Miss
JOSH MCCOY/OLE MISS ATHLETICS
The Ole Miss Rebels will be back in action Saturday at South Carolina.
*Free Checking with Unlimited Cashback *Terms and Conditions apply 1101 Jackson Ave. W • Oxford, MS 38655 • (662) 236-9099
OXFORD CITIZEN
PAGE 20
Rychlak FROM 18
years older than her sister, is the only Rychlak that played more of a defensive role. Defense is something coach Hunter Crane had to replace from last season. Jordan Repka, who played the spot of center back, was the person Crane felt Rychlak could fill in for. Repka played in every minute of every game but Crane just had a feeling that the role would fit her well. “Olivia played sparingly as a freshman. We used her some at outside back and some at center back and then in the offseason, she decided that she was going to full commit to soccer,” Crane said. “She wanted to be a starter and she wanted to come in and make an impact on this year's team. In the offseason, she was with us the entire time. She lifted, she ran. She came to work everyday with the mentality that she wanted to be a stronger player for the team.”
When camp opened up in August, Crane said Rychlak came in and just won the position. “We all said with the way she handled things in the summer and in the offseason that this was the player for us to replace a Jordan Repka,” Crane said. “She started about every game and played about every minute. She has been one of the most important people to help rebuild the back line that we had last year that was very good for us. She's been an excellent player.” Rychlak knew that she had to step up for the Lady Chargers to win a second straight MHSAA Class 5A state title. There were key seniors leaving, and she wanted to do her part in order to help fill the void. “I knew I would really have to commit to get a starting spot. The way I tried to approach that was to quit the cross country team which I was on from seventh grade on through this year,” Rychlak said. “I think that was really important to making sure this was a priority, that I
could step up.” Using soccer to see where it will go is still a wait-and-see thing for Rychlak. She said that at this point, halfway through her 10th grade year, she wasn't looking to play soccer in college. But then added that anything can happen. “And maybe if I keep playing like I have, I'll get some attention,” Rychlak said adding that she was really having fun with her teammates. “I'm really close with Ruthie Jenkins and Wesley Warrington and Catherine Field, Addie Thompson, Katelyn Rock, Emily Hayward, all the people in my grade. Also, Ally Shinall is one of my good upper class man friends. I really appreciate all of them. They make it fun.” Rychlak described herself as a “goofball” who likes to make everyone around her laugh. “I kind of like to be the center of attention,” Rychlak said adding that she also liked to be the last line of defense before goalie Bailey O'Connor. “I like at points where our
THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 2017
midfield and offense is successful where I can watch and look at where the shape is and see how well we're playing.” Oxford has one of the state's best forwards in Morgan O'Connor and Rychlak deals with her in practice which of course makes her better even if she dislikes going up against her. “Even when I can defend her, if I step in front of her, I'm just afraid she is going to drill me with the ball,” Rychlak said. “Her shots are so hard. It's intimidating and I'm sure it's intimidating for anyone who knows who she is and that's probably everyone in the state.” Oxford was 11-0 heading into its match with Grenada and with the bulk of the schedule coming in the next few weeks, Rychlak was excited about the finish leading into the playoffs. “The break was definitely a lot of time off but I know I went outside and kicked it around with all my siblings,” Rychlak said. “We'll be ready when the time comes.”
JOEY BRENT
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OXFORD CITIZEN
PAGE 21
Burgess FROM 18
highest rebounding total for the season last year,” Adams said. “That's her main goal this year. Coach (Shayne) Linzy has helped her game. She can score now, and she's going to compete all the way around. She's a great player.” Adams agreed that confidence was the thing that Burgess has gained the most over the past few seasons. “When I had her in seventh grade, her athletic ability stood out. She was forced to score in eighth grade because Mariah (Holland) was moved to the varsity level,” Adams said. “Now, she wants to play every position if she gets the opportunity to. And she goes hard at every level. Her confidence puts her over the top with the already great athletic ability that she has.” Linzy looks at Burgess as her enforcer, or someone he can rely on to always do the tough jobs like defend and rebound. And the thing that really drives Burgess is her relationship with Holland, Linzy added. “Those two girls compete against each other. Mariah won the rebounding award and Boosie was visibly upset, in a laughing way, but yet it was clear that it was something she wanted,” Linzy said. “I told Xhirr the other day that she was up by about three rebounds and both of their eyes got a little bigger and they stood up a little taller. That's something they're striving for. I love the fact that I didn't mention anything about points, just rebounds. Every kid wants to score, but they take pride in the rebounds.”
JOEY BRENT
Citizen
PAGE 22
OXFORD
OXFORD CITIZEN
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PAGE 23
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OXFORD CITIZEN
THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 2017