Friday Night at the Fountain Moves to New Centennial Green Space
Thu, 09/09/2010 - 11:55am | By: David Tisdale
A home football game tradition continues at its new home when the Friday Night at the Fountain concert and pep rally kicks off at 7 p.m. this Friday, Sept. 10 at the Centennial Green, located at the site of the old University Commons on the campus of The University of Southern Mississippi.
Friday Night at the Fountain will begin with a concert by the Southern Miss student group S.M.A.S.H. from 7-9 p.m., which will be followed by a pep rally featuring the Southern Miss Cheerleaders, Dixie Darlings, Golden Eagles mascot Seymour, a member of the Southern Miss football coaching staff and the Pride of Mississippi Marching Band.
Held prior to each home football game, Friday Night at the Fountain is an opportunity for students, faculty, staff and administrators to get in the spirit to cheer the Golden Eagles to victory against their upcoming football opponent. Sponsored by the Southern Miss Activities Council (SMAC), the event was previously held near the fountain in front of the Aubrey K. Lucas Administration Building.
“We're excited about having Friday Night at the Fountain at the Centennial Green,” said Southern Miss Student Activities Director Joel Hughes. “It's the perfect location for this event because it's become a popular campus destination for our students, and the university has done a great job of landscaping the grounds around it.”
The event will also feature inflatables provided by Action Party Rentals and refreshments, including snow-cones, popcorn and cotton candy. Following Friday Night at the Fountain, the Power House restaurant, located adjacent to the Centennial Green and across from Cook Library, will serve all-you-can-eat chicken wings for $7.99.
Private funding has enabled the university to landscape the perimeter of the Centennial Green, including the addition of 16, 20-ft tall Southern Magnolias, which make up a screen at the north end of the site. Hattiesburg landscaper Fred Fisher has donated labor and plants for this landscaping effort as part of an overall effort to beautify the campus during its yearlong Centennial Celebration.
Student Government Association President Kasey Mitchell said she's received a lot of positive feedback about moving the event to the Centennial Green. “This marks an important transition for the Southern Miss community,” she said. “The Centennial Green is a beautiful space and our students have really taken to it, so now they can enjoy one of their favorite events at one of their favorite places on campus.”
Student tailgating will also resume this football season at The District, located adjacent to the Ogletree Alumni House. For more information about Friday Night at the Fountain, contact SMAC at 601.266.4403. For information about student tailgating, including policies and procedures, call the Dean of Students Office at 601.266.6028 or online visit www.usm.edu/sga and click on the student forms and applications link. For information about tickets to the Southern Miss-Prairie View A & M football game, call 601.266.5418.