Ole Miss Rebel fans attending the College Football Playoff on Dec. 19 will notice some new names, in addition to Golding’s, in the University of Mississippi’s Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.
UM alumni Brooks Anne and Johnson Berry of Dallas, Texas, recently made a significant and transformational gift to the Vaught Society, the Ole Miss Athletics Foundation’s (OMAF) premier fundraising level that provides critical financial assistance to student-athletes through scholarships, academic guidance and wellness support.
The gift ranks among the largest individual contributions in OMAF history. In recognition, the foundation named a prominent space within the stadium the Brooks Anne and Johnson Berry Family Field Club, located along and beneath the lower rows of the south end zone.
“We hope this gift strengthens the experience for Rebel student-athletes — competitively, academically and personally,” Johnson Berry said. “Some of our most cherished family memories have been made inside Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, particularly in the Field Club, where we’ve shared countless unforgettable moments together.
“It would mean the world to us for future generations of Rebels to feel that same pride, magic and connection every time they walk through those gates.”
The Berrys, both members of the Class of 2005, met at Ole Miss and were later married in Oxford. Johnson Berry, a native of Indianola, Mississippi, graduated from the UM School of Business Administration having majored in managerial finance and was a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity.
Brooks Anne Berry, who grew up in Clarksdale, Mississippi, earned her undergraduate and master’s degrees in accountancy, was a member of the Delta Delta Delta sorority and was inducted into the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society.
“Brooks Anne and I have talked for years about wanting to give back to Ole Miss in a way that truly reflects what this university has meant to our family,” Berry said. “Both of us grew up in the Mississippi Delta, where supporting the Rebels wasn’t just a pastime; it was part of everyday life from the moment we were born.
“I’m a proud third-generation Rebel, and our children, Swayze and Watts, are already huge fans and well on their way to becoming fourth-generation Rebels themselves,” he continued. “Seeing their enthusiasm has reminded us just how deeply Ole Miss is woven into our family’s story, and it felt like the right time to continue that momentum with a meaningful and impactful gift.”
Keith Carter, vice chancellor for Intercollegiate Athletics, expressed gratitude for the family’s generosity.
“Brooks Anne and Johnson have been committed supporters of Ole Miss Athletics through the Vaught Society since 2021,” Carter said. “Their contributions have directly supported our student-athletes by underwriting scholarships and facility enhancements, helping keep the Rebels competitive on the field and high-achieving in the classroom.
“We are extremely grateful for their most recent leadership gift, which will play a major role in the continued success of our student-athletes and athletic programs.”
The appreciation is mutual.
“We have tremendous respect for the vision and leadership of the University, the Ole Miss Athletics Foundation, and the Rebel Football program,” Berry said. “We’re grateful for the opportunity to support the work they’re doing and to contribute to the continued growth and success of Ole Miss Athletics.”
Johnson Berry is the CEO and Co-Founder of Dallas-based DLRdmv, a leading electronic titling and registration provider in the United States. The company partners with state governments, departments of revenue and motor vehicle agencies to support more than 5,000 automotive dealerships nationwide, automating complex regulatory processes across the automotive ecosystem.
Berry also serves on the board of the Young Presidents Organization (YPO) of North Texas, a chapter of the world’s largest leadership community of chief executives.
To join the Vaught Society, contact William Fisher, assistant athletic director for development, at fisher@givetoathletics.com or 662-915-7159. For more information, click here.
By Bill Dabney/UM Foundation