Coliseum Renovations Prompt Relocation of Songfest at USM
By Alex Green
Reed Green Coliseum renovations began in early 2025, transforming the entrances, seating, and facilities while forcing Chi Omega’s Songfest to find a temporary new home.
The major renovation of the coliseum aimed to enhance and modernize the 1965 venue for Sunbelt Conference sports and entertainment for USM students and people who live in Hattiesburg. The “Reed Green Rising” project includes a new practice gym and facility for women’s and men’s basketball, an exciting north side entrance for ticketing, and state-of-the-art scoreboards and seating underneath the Dome.
“The proposed enhancements and renovations to Reed Green Coliseum aspire to preserve its reputation as a formidable venue for visiting teams, modernize its infrastructure and technology to optimize event management, and introduce amenities that will enrich the experiences of the student-athletes, fans, and community,” states the project summary on Reed Green Rising.
The projected two-year construction timeline brought significant restrictions on campus traditions. Chi Omega Songfest is the largest and longest-running philanthropic event on Southern Miss’s campus, and historically, it is held in Reed Green Coliseum. This fundraising event raised money in support of the local Make-A-Wish Mississippi chapter. However, the construction forced the organization to find a temporary venue space to fit their guests and preserve the tradition.
Chi Omega’s Songfest chair, Lynnlee Hopkins, spoke on the drastic changes taking place this year.
“Songfest is very important to the women of the Epsilon Delta chapter of Chi Omega, whether active members or alumni,” she said. “It is our job to keep the event special despite the new venue and structure.”
Despite the setback, their dedication to Make-A-Wish Mississippi is firm.
“It is important to remember our ‘why’ for Songfest and reflect on the impact we will be making, no matter where the event occurs,” said Hopkins.
Songfest is not just about Chi Omega and the venue; it is a night where they celebrate an organization that grants wishes to children with life-threatening illnesses.
Reed Green Coliseum transformed for the greater good of the university and the Hattiesburg community while Chi Omega’s Songfest team searched for alternative venues. The university stepped in to help this organization find a new venue space to accommodate an event of that magnitude and deep tradition.