This Saturday’s Game Day Will Also Be “Carson Hughes” Day

This Saturday is not only Ole Miss game day, it will also be a day to celebrate a favorite Ole Miss alumnus — Carson Hughes of Jackson, Mississippi. Friends and family will honor Carson in the Grove this Saturday with what they have dubbed “Carson Hughes Day.”

Hughes is a beloved Signa Nu alumnus who, even now, keeps his fellow fraternity brothers informed through digital communications. He began his tenure at Ole Miss in the fall of 1965, joined Sigma Nu and has been dedicated to his fraternity and his university through his time, energy and financial resources ever since.

Johnny Maloney, a friend of Hughes also of the Jackson, Mississippi area, joined Sigma Nu during his time at Ole Miss, from 1974 to 1978. But it was in 1968 that Maloney first met Hughes thanks to his brother, Eddie Maloney, who was being recruited by Hughes for Sigma Nu.

“Carson has done so much for Ole Miss, Sigma Nu and the state of Mississippi that the men of Sigma Nu wanted to say thanks for all Carson has done by having a day in his honor,” Maloney said.

Hamp Dye has also been a friend of Carson Hughes since the ‘80s, when Dye pledged Sigma Nu. A bond between Dye, Hughes and other fraternity brothers was formed and has developed over several years through the many connections Ole Miss has provided, such as sporting events.

Dye said that Hughes has always been responsible for updating the Sigma Nu alumni through web blasts, which Dye calls “snake email.”

“Carson is always updating folks on marriages, children, grandchildren and, of course, deaths of friends and brothers… what’s going on in Oxford,” Dye said. “We have 800 Sigma Nu and friends on our web email, and carson keeps them informed and always adds humor. He’s a witty fellow.”

Dye said this weekend was the best weekend for the Sigma Nu’s and friends to join together to share their appreciation of their dear friend, Carson Hughes.

The exact turnout for Carson Hughes Day is unknown, but the invitation to meet Hughes is on the table for anyone, whether Sigma Nu alumni, active Sigma Nu or for anyone who has heard of him and wants to meet the Ole Miss icon himself.

You can find friends of Hughes and friends in a tent near the Ole Miss outdoor stage this Saturday at the Andrews, Wammack, McKenzie, Hays, Boone, Godman and Maloney Tent to the left of the stage on the turf. Visitors are encouraged to look for the black and gold balloons.

The gathering will begin after the Ole Miss football team finishes the Walk of Champions at 4 p.m. The party will last until 5:30 p.m., 30 minutes before Ole Miss kickoffs against Auburn.

Close by, the Ole Miss band will be warming up for the game. In a way, one could say the band will be playing for Carson Hughes.

In a special note from Dye, he said: “Bring your own beverage and if you want to make a donation to the new addition to the Sigma Nu House in Carson’s Honor, Jimmy Davis will be there to collect your check. So stop on by before the game and celebrate Carson Hughes Day in the Grove.”

For more Carson Hughes, read HottyToddy.com’s story titled: Carson Hughes Recalls Golden Days of Oxford.

Jackson Olstad is an intern for HottyToddy.com. He can be reached at jtolstad@go.olemiss.edu.