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The University of Mississippi Athletics
11/5/2026 | Football
OXFORD, Miss. – The Ole Miss Chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame (NFF) will honor Karen and Bruce Moore of Nashville, Tennessee with its Contribution to Amateur Football Award and Michael W. Sweet Sr. of Jackson, Mississippi with the Distinguished American Award on Saturday, November 7, when the Rebels host the Georgia Bulldogs. Kickoff on ABC is set for 6:30 p.m. CT at Vaught‑Hemingway Stadium.
The Contribution to Amateur Football Award is given by the Ole Miss Chapter in honor of those who have made numerous contributions to the college athletics world through service to their fellow man, while the Distinguished American Award is presented to individuals who have set the standards for excellence in a life of service to the community.
"We are pleased to honor Karen and Bruce Moore for supporting many areas of need on the Ole Miss campus, as well as to Ole Miss Athletics, and to also honor Michael Sweet, who continues to touch many lives as Director of Ministries at Gateway Rescue Mission in Jackson," said NFF Ole Miss Chapter president Richard Noble of Indianola, Mississippi. "Karen, Bruce and Michael are most deserving of this recognition and having an on-campus salute provides an excellent opportunity to express our sincere appreciation to them."
Vice Chancellor for Intercollegiate Athletics Keith Carter and National Football Foundation Chief Operating Officer Matt Sign will join Noble for the on-field presentation honoring Karen and Bruce Moore and Michael Sweet.
A heartfelt desire to give back to their alma mater has led Karen and Bruce Moore to a lifetime of extraordinary generosity to the University of Mississippi, and all three of their children attended Ole Miss. Since their first gift over 25 years ago, the Moore family has faithfully supported not only academics, but athletics as well. Their total lifetime giving to Ole Miss now exceeds $8 million.
In 2022, they made their first major contribution to the Ole Miss Athletics Foundation, giving $1.2 million to the Vaught Society, OMAF's premier giving level that fuels investments in student-athlete scholarships, capital projects, revenue sharing initiatives and deferred maintenance and facility improvements that enhance student-athletes' experience and keep them competing at the highest level.
Two years later, the couple added another $250,000 to the Vaught Society. In recognition of that gift, Gate 31 at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium was named in their honor.
Their most recent support for Ole Miss Athletics came last August, a $2 million gift that will help propel the future of the University of Mississippi's golf programs by funding a new state-of-the-art facility that will support generations of Rebel student-athletes.
In recognition of the gift, the university's new golf building will be named for the Moore family. The facility will feature administrative offices, coaches' offices and modern player lounges designed to enhance the experience and development of both men's and women's golf student-athletes. Construction is expected to be completed by fall 2027. For Bruce Moore, the gift is both an investment in the future and a tribute to the success and leadership that have elevated Ole Miss Golf to national prominence.
Karen Moore, who earned a bachelor's degree in applied sciences from Ole Miss in 1982, has served the university in numerous leadership roles. Her volunteer service includes the Ole Miss Alumni Association Board, where she served as president in 2024; the University of Mississippi Foundation Board; the Gertrude C. Ford Center for the Performing Arts Board; and leadership positions with the Ole Miss Women's Council for Philanthropy. Today, she is founder and president of Project Redesign, a Nashville nonprofit that furnishes homes and facilities for families and individuals in need.
Bruce Moore, who earned a bachelor's degree in managerial finance from Ole Miss in 1982, built a distinguished career at HCA Healthcare. Beginning as an internal auditor after graduation, he retired in 2025 as group president overseeing service lines and operations. Like his wife, he has remained deeply engaged with the university through service on the University of Mississippi Foundation Board, the Parents Council and multiple university campaign committees.
A native of Vicksburg, Mississippi, Michael W. Sweet Sr. earned his BS in Health, Exercise Science, and Recreation (BSHPE) degree from the University of Mississippi in 1978. While attending Ole Miss, Sweet lettered three years (1974-75-76) in football while playing running back and wide receiver for Coach Ken Cooper's Rebels.
Sweet was among the first African American athletes to play football at Ole Miss, which included such teammates as Ben Williams, James Reed, Lawrence Johnson, James Storey and Curtis Weathers.
Since 2004, Sweet has worked at Gateway Mission Rescue in Jackson, which has served as a beacon of hope for the homeless and hungry since 1948. At Gateway, Sweet is the Director of Ministries and oversees chapel services, spiritual counseling and the Gospel outreach components.
Also known as "Pastor Sweet," he has been preaching and teaching at Gateway for 22 years. In his role at Director of Ministries, Sweet mentors, teaches, and counsels homeless individuals, out-of-work clients, and men and women recovering from drug and alcohol addiction. He also coordinates cold-weather shelters and holiday assistance.
Michael and his wife, Sadelle, have been married for 42 years and together they have three sons.
Highly recruited out of high school, Sweet played as a true freshman and turned in a performance worthy of his being named to the All-Southeastern Conference freshman team. That early success earned him a starting spot at running back the next two years, but a series of injuries cut into his playing time. A second knee surgery sidelined Sweet for what would have been his senior season in 1977, ending all hopes for what had once been a dream of playing in the National Football League.
During his three years on the field, Sweet rushed for 1,376 yards and eight touchdowns, caught 29 passes for 303 yards and two TDs, and returned 28 kickoffs for 685 yards. Sweet's best season at Ole Miss was as a sophomore in 1975 when he led the team in rushing and kickoff returns, while finishing second in scoring and second in receiving.
Even though he had to battle through injuries during his three years on the field, he became an Ole Miss fan favorite with his ability to be a threat to go the distance every time he touched the football. Some of the highlights included Sweet's 16-yard fourth down TD reception from Tim Ellis with 42 seconds remaining to give the Rebels a 17-13 victory over LSU in 1975, plus his 52-yard TD run against Southern Mississippi, and his 40-yard TD burst against Tennessee, both during the 1975 season.
(Bill Dabney, University of Mississippi Foundation, contributed to this story.)
The Contribution to Amateur Football Award is given by the Ole Miss Chapter in honor of those who have made numerous contributions to the college athletics world through service to their fellow man, while the Distinguished American Award is presented to individuals who have set the standards for excellence in a life of service to the community.
"We are pleased to honor Karen and Bruce Moore for supporting many areas of need on the Ole Miss campus, as well as to Ole Miss Athletics, and to also honor Michael Sweet, who continues to touch many lives as Director of Ministries at Gateway Rescue Mission in Jackson," said NFF Ole Miss Chapter president Richard Noble of Indianola, Mississippi. "Karen, Bruce and Michael are most deserving of this recognition and having an on-campus salute provides an excellent opportunity to express our sincere appreciation to them."
Vice Chancellor for Intercollegiate Athletics Keith Carter and National Football Foundation Chief Operating Officer Matt Sign will join Noble for the on-field presentation honoring Karen and Bruce Moore and Michael Sweet.
A heartfelt desire to give back to their alma mater has led Karen and Bruce Moore to a lifetime of extraordinary generosity to the University of Mississippi, and all three of their children attended Ole Miss. Since their first gift over 25 years ago, the Moore family has faithfully supported not only academics, but athletics as well. Their total lifetime giving to Ole Miss now exceeds $8 million.
In 2022, they made their first major contribution to the Ole Miss Athletics Foundation, giving $1.2 million to the Vaught Society, OMAF's premier giving level that fuels investments in student-athlete scholarships, capital projects, revenue sharing initiatives and deferred maintenance and facility improvements that enhance student-athletes' experience and keep them competing at the highest level.
Two years later, the couple added another $250,000 to the Vaught Society. In recognition of that gift, Gate 31 at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium was named in their honor.
Their most recent support for Ole Miss Athletics came last August, a $2 million gift that will help propel the future of the University of Mississippi's golf programs by funding a new state-of-the-art facility that will support generations of Rebel student-athletes.
In recognition of the gift, the university's new golf building will be named for the Moore family. The facility will feature administrative offices, coaches' offices and modern player lounges designed to enhance the experience and development of both men's and women's golf student-athletes. Construction is expected to be completed by fall 2027. For Bruce Moore, the gift is both an investment in the future and a tribute to the success and leadership that have elevated Ole Miss Golf to national prominence.
Karen Moore, who earned a bachelor's degree in applied sciences from Ole Miss in 1982, has served the university in numerous leadership roles. Her volunteer service includes the Ole Miss Alumni Association Board, where she served as president in 2024; the University of Mississippi Foundation Board; the Gertrude C. Ford Center for the Performing Arts Board; and leadership positions with the Ole Miss Women's Council for Philanthropy. Today, she is founder and president of Project Redesign, a Nashville nonprofit that furnishes homes and facilities for families and individuals in need.
Bruce Moore, who earned a bachelor's degree in managerial finance from Ole Miss in 1982, built a distinguished career at HCA Healthcare. Beginning as an internal auditor after graduation, he retired in 2025 as group president overseeing service lines and operations. Like his wife, he has remained deeply engaged with the university through service on the University of Mississippi Foundation Board, the Parents Council and multiple university campaign committees.
A native of Vicksburg, Mississippi, Michael W. Sweet Sr. earned his BS in Health, Exercise Science, and Recreation (BSHPE) degree from the University of Mississippi in 1978. While attending Ole Miss, Sweet lettered three years (1974-75-76) in football while playing running back and wide receiver for Coach Ken Cooper's Rebels.
Sweet was among the first African American athletes to play football at Ole Miss, which included such teammates as Ben Williams, James Reed, Lawrence Johnson, James Storey and Curtis Weathers.
Since 2004, Sweet has worked at Gateway Mission Rescue in Jackson, which has served as a beacon of hope for the homeless and hungry since 1948. At Gateway, Sweet is the Director of Ministries and oversees chapel services, spiritual counseling and the Gospel outreach components.
Also known as "Pastor Sweet," he has been preaching and teaching at Gateway for 22 years. In his role at Director of Ministries, Sweet mentors, teaches, and counsels homeless individuals, out-of-work clients, and men and women recovering from drug and alcohol addiction. He also coordinates cold-weather shelters and holiday assistance.
Michael and his wife, Sadelle, have been married for 42 years and together they have three sons.
Highly recruited out of high school, Sweet played as a true freshman and turned in a performance worthy of his being named to the All-Southeastern Conference freshman team. That early success earned him a starting spot at running back the next two years, but a series of injuries cut into his playing time. A second knee surgery sidelined Sweet for what would have been his senior season in 1977, ending all hopes for what had once been a dream of playing in the National Football League.
During his three years on the field, Sweet rushed for 1,376 yards and eight touchdowns, caught 29 passes for 303 yards and two TDs, and returned 28 kickoffs for 685 yards. Sweet's best season at Ole Miss was as a sophomore in 1975 when he led the team in rushing and kickoff returns, while finishing second in scoring and second in receiving.
Even though he had to battle through injuries during his three years on the field, he became an Ole Miss fan favorite with his ability to be a threat to go the distance every time he touched the football. Some of the highlights included Sweet's 16-yard fourth down TD reception from Tim Ellis with 42 seconds remaining to give the Rebels a 17-13 victory over LSU in 1975, plus his 52-yard TD run against Southern Mississippi, and his 40-yard TD burst against Tennessee, both during the 1975 season.
(Bill Dabney, University of Mississippi Foundation, contributed to this story.)
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