'It's Important To Us!' Rebels' Chris Beard Discusses Relationship With Student Body
OXFORD, Miss. -- The Ole Miss Rebels are going through some growing pains in Chris Beard's first season with the program, but the team has had no problems getting fans to buy into the process - especially the student body.
Club Red has been packed for inside the Sandy and John Black Pavilion this season, but Ole Miss students took it to another level during the recent win over the Arkansas Razorbacks. Ole Miss announced on Thursday that the SJB Pavilion student attendance record was set during Wednesday night's matchup, a rather impressive feat considering it is only Beard's first season in Oxford.
Carleigh Harbin-The Grove Report
Beard got the chance to speak about the relationship between the team and students, and expressed that involving them has been a priority since he walked in the building.
"In terms of students buying in, I would tell you that we've worked at it," Beard told reporters on Thursday. "It's been an objective. I remember the day I took the job, 30 minutes after I had the press conference we were talking about in-game environment and relationships with students. It's a relationship that's important to us. Not a day goes by that we don't talk about our relationship with the students."
Students are a critical part of your home-court advantage in college hoops, and the Rebels have had their full support all season long. A rocking student section has helped make the SJB Pavilion a difficult environment for opponents to play in, as the Rebels are undefeated at home this season. The win over Arkansas increased Ole Miss' home win streak to 11 games, the longest streak in The Pavilion.
Beard knows that winning and attendance go hand in hand.
"Obviously winning helps. We're at a program-high winning streak right now in The Pavilion in terms of games won in a row. I think that's no surprise, when you win, it always helps your marketing efforts."
The Rebels are now set to battle the Texas A&M Aggies on the road in Reed Arena on Saturday. Texas A&M owns a 12-7 overall record entering its matchup versus the Rebels. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. CT, and the game will be televised on SEC Network.
