University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
HOMECOMING Fan Feature: Benjie Barham
10/25/2016 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 25, 2016
Born and raised in Meridian, Mississippi and a son of lifelong fan and hall of famer Berneice Barham, one could say it was destiny that he end up at Southern Miss. Benjie attended his first year of college at Meridian Community College before transferring to Southern Miss to finish his degree. As a student, he studied Journalism and Marketing, graduating in 1987. It was in that same year that his mother was inducted into the Southern Miss Alumni Hall of Fame. Berneice graduated from Southern Miss in 1957 and has been a season ticket holder of football, basketball, and baseball ever since.
“It was a special year,” Barham remarked, “…getting to celebrate those accomplishments with each other.”
While attending Southern Miss he found himself becoming heavily involved on campus. Benjie was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon, a student body senator, a member of the student alumni association and was also one of the few to undertake the honor of serving as Seymour, the University’s beloved mascot.
HOMECOMING for Benjie was a stressful time. He was not only a member of SAE but he was the house manager. This meant that he had to not only maintain the usual upkeep and order of the house but during HOMECOMING he played a critical role in many areas. One of those areas was float decorating. He remembered the stress that filled the air as the guys worked diligently to get it completed in time. When he was not at the house or on campus he was working in athletics as one of the mascots.
During HOMECOMING, Benjie remembered participating in a fundraiser on campus. A few of the physical plant employees built a nest that allowed the mascot to sit in it and pose for pictures for a donation. That was just one of the many special events or appearances he made over the course of the week as Seymour. As one can imagine, Seymour is in high demand during this time of year.
HOMECOMING has changed for Benjie over the years. From once experiencing it as a student and being in the middle of all the activities going on to now being an alum and bringing his family to campus. Despite the change in roles for Benjie throughout the years, one thing has remained a constant emphasis as part of HOMECOMING: Celebrating the University.
“It is a family oriented event,” Barham said. “It was different as a student versus now being an alumni, but no matter what, it is an important time for the university and a celebration.”
Now when Benjie and his family come back, HOMECOMING is viewed as a time when alumni can bring their families on campus and spend some quality time with each other.
“Usually you get there earlier, stay longer, and appreciate more of the campus when it’s HOMECOMING,” Barham said.
The Barham family looks forward to being in attendance this Saturday for HOMECOMING at The Rock as the Golden Eagles host C-USA foe Marshall. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. with the annual parade taking place at 11 a.m. on Hardy Street.
HATTIESBURG, Miss. -- Between decorating floats, setting up alumni dinners, and being whisked away to appear at special events, Benjie Barham was one who couldn’t wait for HOMECOMING.
Born and raised in Meridian, Mississippi and a son of lifelong fan and hall of famer Berneice Barham, one could say it was destiny that he end up at Southern Miss. Benjie attended his first year of college at Meridian Community College before transferring to Southern Miss to finish his degree. As a student, he studied Journalism and Marketing, graduating in 1987. It was in that same year that his mother was inducted into the Southern Miss Alumni Hall of Fame. Berneice graduated from Southern Miss in 1957 and has been a season ticket holder of football, basketball, and baseball ever since.
“It was a special year,” Barham remarked, “…getting to celebrate those accomplishments with each other.”
While attending Southern Miss he found himself becoming heavily involved on campus. Benjie was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon, a student body senator, a member of the student alumni association and was also one of the few to undertake the honor of serving as Seymour, the University’s beloved mascot.
HOMECOMING for Benjie was a stressful time. He was not only a member of SAE but he was the house manager. This meant that he had to not only maintain the usual upkeep and order of the house but during HOMECOMING he played a critical role in many areas. One of those areas was float decorating. He remembered the stress that filled the air as the guys worked diligently to get it completed in time. When he was not at the house or on campus he was working in athletics as one of the mascots.
During HOMECOMING, Benjie remembered participating in a fundraiser on campus. A few of the physical plant employees built a nest that allowed the mascot to sit in it and pose for pictures for a donation. That was just one of the many special events or appearances he made over the course of the week as Seymour. As one can imagine, Seymour is in high demand during this time of year.
HOMECOMING has changed for Benjie over the years. From once experiencing it as a student and being in the middle of all the activities going on to now being an alum and bringing his family to campus. Despite the change in roles for Benjie throughout the years, one thing has remained a constant emphasis as part of HOMECOMING: Celebrating the University.
“It is a family oriented event,” Barham said. “It was different as a student versus now being an alumni, but no matter what, it is an important time for the university and a celebration.”
Now when Benjie and his family come back, HOMECOMING is viewed as a time when alumni can bring their families on campus and spend some quality time with each other.
“Usually you get there earlier, stay longer, and appreciate more of the campus when it’s HOMECOMING,” Barham said.
The Barham family looks forward to being in attendance this Saturday for HOMECOMING at The Rock as the Golden Eagles host C-USA foe Marshall. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. with the annual parade taking place at 11 a.m. on Hardy Street.
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