JSU will celebrate the new name of a campus space this week, and all are invited to attend. On Tuesday, October 5th, at 4:30 PM, we will hold a dedication ceremony to honor the legacy of DeLeath Rives and unveil a new plaque on the DeLeath Rives Memorial Tower at Bennett Field, the home of the Marching Southerners. This will be an outdoor ceremony, and light refreshments will be served. Bennett Field is directly behind Paul Carpenter Village at 114 Miller Street, Jacksonville, AL 36265.

Rives was a charter member of Jacksonville State University’s Marching Southerners and went on to teach band at Lafayette, Cordova, Jacksonville, Gadsden, and Gaston High Schools.  His musical talents contributed much to the growth and education of music students throughout his lifetime. He was always a friend, leader, and mentor to his students and was an avid supporter of the Jacksonville State University band program.