2 min read The University of Mississippi will honor its first Black student-athlete, Coolidge Ball, with a life-size statue in the north plaza of The Pavilion come May 15., according to an announcement from Ole Miss Athletics on Monday. The university will also install a historical marker beside the statue to showcase Ball’s place in history as a civil rights pioneer. “Coolidge Ball is a trailblazer whose lasting legacy at the University of Mississippi is reflected in how he braved uncharted territory and, in doing so, helped to move the university and our state forward,” Chancellor Glenn Boyce said in a statement. “As the first Black student-athlete to enroll here, Coolidge opened the door of opportunity for countless other student-athletes. This statue is a well-deserved and fitting honor that ensures his courage will always be remembered and celebrated by our university and our fans.”