1962 Homecoming Queen Diane Klyce Thomas poses for a photo for the yearbook. Courtesy of The Ole Miss
Fifty-two years ago, Ole Miss was anything but a typical university. In 1962, the James Meredith riots were erupting, an undefeated football team was triumphing and Diane Klyce, now Diane Klyce Thomas, was campaigning for her chance to be Homecoming Queen.
Growing up 26 miles away in Sardis, Mississippi, Klyce Thomas always knew she would attend The University of Mississippi.
“The college years were magical,” Klyce Thomas said. “The sororities made sure everyone participated in activities, and it was so easy to meet people. There wasn’t anything I didn’t enjoy.”
The English major was involved in many extracirriculars and lived in the Delta Gamma sorority house.
During the elections, there was only one official candidate for Homecoming Queen on the ballot. In response, Delta Gamma put Klyce Thomas up as a write-in candidate.
Klyce Thomas and her supporters ran a big campaign with attention to details. Each write-in had to be spelled correctly for the vote to count.
“You can’t imagine running for election in those dark ages with no cell phones and no computers,” Klyce Thomas said. “You actually had to talk to people face-to-face.”
In the midst of homecoming campaigning, riots were breaking out across campus. Political and racial tensions were rising in response to the first black student, James Meredith, being admitted into the university. Federal marshals occupied the campus and the university.
“Most of the students were going about their classes and were blindsided by the upheaval and turmoil,” Klyce Thomas said.
Right in the middle of her campaign, the campus was briefly shut down, and The University of Mississippi was about to lose its accreditation.
“You would watch TV and see what was being reported as going on at Ole Miss, and it seemed as though they were talking about a different place,” Klyce Thomas said.
Once campus re-opened, Klyce Thomas returned to finish her campaigning. After the election closed and the votes were tallied, Klyce received a phone call at the Delta Gamma house. The campaigning was successful.
“It seemed like a long shot to me, but I was a cheerleader that year, and that exposure probably helped me win the election,” Klyce Thomas said.
The undefeated Ole Miss Rebel football team did not play any games on campus in the 1962 season. All of the games Ole Miss hosted were played in Jackson, and the rest were away games.
The University of Tennessee hosted Ole Miss for their homecoming game, and there were plans to recognize the Ole Miss homecoming royalty during halftime. The Homecoming Queen didn’t make it to the game, though.
Klyce Thomas, who was a cheerleader, was traveling with her teammates on a couple of small airplanes to the game. One of the planes began having technical difficulties, so both planes took an emergency landing. The cheerleaders spent the night listening to the game over the radio rather than on the sidelines.
Klyce Thomas never received the traditional recognition on the football field in front of peers and fans, but she still carries the title with as much pride in 2014 as she did in 1962.
“The Ole Miss campus is quite different today,” she said. “Although, the landmarks remain the same, and I can still find the buildings where most of my classes were held.”
The university has evolved in the past 52 years, making Klyce Thomas’ college experience one much different from today, but some things never change.
“I think the campus is so lovely today, and the spirit around campus is still that of a small university – very friendly and welcoming,” Klyce Thomas said.
Klyce Thomas has returned to campus for many reunions, including the Homecoming Queen reunion. At the last reunion, Klyce Thomas was the oldest returning Homecoming Queen.
“I proudly wore my banner around campus that day,” she said. “It’s a lot of fun to see the current queen and be a part of such a great tradition.”
Klyce Thomas and her husband of 48 years, Alan Thomas, reside about 45 minutes south of Atlanta, Georgia, in Moreland. The couple owns a stable and equestrian facility where they board horses. Diane said she still rides most days and loves nature.
“I don’t leave the farm much, but when I do, it’s to go to Ole Miss,” she said.
Klyce Tomas said she is thrilled she had the Ole Miss experience and is proud of its diversity. She added that the 2014 football team has brought back all the excitement of Ole Miss in its heyday.
“I would have been thrilled to be Homecoming Queen and cheerleader any year,” Klyce Thomas said. “It was super special to be a part of that 1962 team that defied all odds — rose above politics — put their hearts to the task at hand and brought Ole Miss back into a good light.”
Diane Klyce Thomas poses for a photo in honor of her 1962 Homecoming win. Courtesy of Diane Klyce Thomas
