Ole Miss band to cease playing the song 'Dixie'

Ole Miss has announced its marching band will no longer play the song "Dixie" prior to, during, or after games.

The song which was the unofficial anthem to Confederacy during the American Civil War and has been debated that it's lyrics have ties to the "Old South."

"The newly expanded and renovated Vaught-Hemingway Stadium will further highlight our best traditions and create new ones that give the Ole Miss Rebels the best home-field advantage in college football," said Ole Miss athletic director Ross Bjork in a statement. ...

"Because the Pride of the South is such a large part of our overall experience and tradition, the Athletics Department asked them to create a new and modern pregame show that does not include 'Dixie' and is more inclusive for all fans."

This is not the first time the school has distanced Confederate symbols from its athletic program and university. In 2003, the school removed Colonel Reb as its mascot and in 2010 replaced it with Rebel Black Bear. In 2015, the university removed the state flag form its campus because it had the confederate battle emblem on it.

The announcement by Ole Miss comes on the heals of Vanderbilt renaming a residence hall Memorial Hall from Confederate Memorial Hall.