OXFORD, Miss. – More
than 25 years ago, Claude Rives attended his first Ole Miss-LSU
football game. Rives, a native of Shreveport, La., was invited by
friends who were University of Mississippi alumni. Attending that
matchup became an annual event for the group, and each time Rives
returned to Oxford, it felt more and more like home.
“It was really the people that drew me to Ole Miss,” Rives said. “They are so friendly and also so passionate about football.”
Since
then, Rives’ youngest son, Christopher, graduated from UM’s School of
Applied Sciences in 1999, further cementing the family’s love for Ole
Miss. After that, Rives built a house in Oxford and calls it home. That
ever-growing affection for the university is the reason Rives recently
made several transformative gifts to the University of Mississippi
Athletics Association.
“The university has given me friendship. It’s a family,” Rives said. “I wanted to do something to give back to a place that has meant so much to me.”
Rives’ many gifts to the UMAA have supported such initiatives as the scholarship fund for student-athletes, the football equipment and training rooms, and the Indoor Practice Facility.
“We are fortunate to have Claude as a valuable part of our Ole Miss family,” Athletics Director Pete Boone said. “He has been around our program for several years and has seen the positive impact we can have on young men and women. Claude’s gifts help us accomplish those goals.”
Besides supporting the UMAA, Rives recently became a UM student himself, taking a creative writing class and history class.
“I’m not an alumnus, but I wanted to take some classes at Ole Miss to have the experience of being a student here,” Rives said. “You really feel a part of the university that way.”
Rives also attends the UMAA’s annual fantasy football camp, something he says he immensely enjoys because of the camaraderie.
“I think anyone who loves something and has a passion for it has got to get involved,” he said. “I try to give back because the university is such as asset to me. And, it’s really fun.”
For more information or to make a gift to the UMAA, visit http://www.umaafoundation.com .