JACKSON — Mississippi sports fans say they would most want their ashes scattered at two of the state’s iconic college football stadiums, a national survey found.
The poll by SportsbookReview.com surveyed 3,013 sports fans and found Starkville’s Davis Wade Stadium at Mississippi State ranked first among Mississippi respondents, followed by Ole Miss’ Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford.
Davis Wade Stadium, home to Bulldogs football since 1914, is known for its cowbell tradition and game-day atmosphere on Scott Field. Vaught-Hemingway Stadium opened in 1915 and sits adjacent to the Grove, where the university’s tailgating culture is well established.
The survey found emotional attachment drove many choices. About 26% of respondents cited memories involving family, friends and childhood experiences as their primary reason, while 25% pointed to lifelong support for a team. Another 17% described stadiums as feeling like a “second home,” and 13% said the venues represented part of their identity.
Researchers also found 64% of fans preferred ashes scattered on the playing surface rather than in seating areas or outside the stadium. A slight majority, 54%, said they supported allowing ash scattering in controlled circumstances.
James Bisson, editor-in-chief of SportsbookReview.com, said the findings illustrate how venues become tied to personal history. “What we’re seeing here isn’t just about fandom — it’s about memory, identity and belonging,” he said. We will provide more information as it becomes available.
