Sports

Ole Miss Softball Stadium Renamed Alisa and Mark Bourne Stadium

Ole Miss announced that its softball stadium has been renamed Alisa and Mark Bourne Stadium following a generous gift from the couple, whose family name now adorns the facility. The stadium was completed before the 2025 regular season, thanks in part to their support, according to university officials.

Vice Chancellor for Intercollegiate Athletics Keith Carter praised the Bournes for their commitment to Ole Miss athletics. “Alisa and Mark are exceptional leaders in the Ole Miss family, and we are deeply grateful for their unwavering commitment to our athletics success,” Carter said. “Their generosity will have a lasting impact on our student-athletes and help our teams compete for championships.”

Ole Miss softball head coach Jamie Trachsel also expressed gratitude. “Today is a landmark moment for our program, for our university and for everyone who has poured into building this team into what it is today,” she said. “We are grateful to celebrate this milestone.”

The Bournes, longtime supporters of Ole Miss, became fans in the early 2000s after receiving tickets to the Egg Bowl from the late Bill Seawright, a former Ole Miss football player. Their fandom grew over two decades, leading to their involvement in donations to the athletic department. Mark Bourne developed an interest in softball during the Rebels’ historic run to the 2025 Women’s College World Series in Tucson, Arizona.

Bourne, a Texas A&M graduate and Edward Jones financial adviser, traveled to watch Ole Miss play in the NCAA regional in 2025. He was impressed by the team’s performances, including a memorable double play and a stolen base, which fueled his enthusiasm for the sport. Alisa Bourne, originally from New Orleans, attended Mississippi University for Women and the University of Southern Mississippi.

The couple, who have a son named Christian Malley, a 2009 Ole Miss graduate, and two granddaughters, said supporting the university’s athletic programs is meaningful even though neither attended Ole Miss. “It solidifies our support for Ole Miss athletics and what the university means to us,” Mark Bourne said.

Source: Original Article

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