Bobcat Stadium at Sim Cooley Field - Jones College Bobcats

Photos by Matt Colville, Stadium Journey

Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14

Bobcat Stadium at Sim Cooley Field 70 Stadium Circle Ellisville, MS 39437

Jones College Bobcats website Bobcat Stadium at Sim Cooley Field website

Year Opened: 2003 Capacity: 5,500

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Bobcat Football in the Free State of Jones

Jones College was founded as Jones County Agricultural High School in Ellisville, Mississippi, in 1911. It became a junior college in 1927 and, after decades of growth and modernization, re-branded as Jones College in 2018 – though it remains legally recognized as Jones County Junior College. Today, the school serves an eight-county district in South Mississippi and enrolls roughly 4,000 students, competing as one of 14 programs in the Mississippi Association of Community Colleges Conference (MACCC), one of the most competitive JUCO conferences in the country.

Football began here in 1924, when the school was still operating as a high school and playing at a modest on-campus field. Six years later, in 1930, Busch-Young Field opened, becoming the long-time home of Bobcat football. The venue would witness generations of players, coaches, championships, and postseason triumphs – but it would also serve as the backdrop for one of the most important moments in Mississippi junior-college sports history.

In 1955, Jones made national headlines when it traveled to Pasadena, California, to face Compton Junior College in the Junior Rose Bowl, becoming the first all-white Mississippi college football team, at any level, to play an integrated opponent during the segregation era. The Bobcats fell in the game, but the trip marked a breakthrough moment for Southern athletics and remains a defining chapter in the school’s legacy.

The Bobcats rose to national prominence in the decades that followed, particularly under legendary head coach Sim Cooley, who led the program from 1961 to 1987. Cooley delivered five state championships, consistently fielded national-contender teams, and cemented his status as one of the winningest coaches in junior-college football history. The pinnacle came in 1968, when Jones completed an undefeated season and captured its first – and to date only – NJCAA National Championship.

Over its storied football history, Jones College has amassed 13 state/MACCC championships and appeared in 11 JUCO bowl games, further solidifying its reputation as one of the nation's premier junior college programs.

Busch-Young Field remained the heartbeat of Bobcat football for 72 years, until a fire in 2002 destroyed the historic stadium and football facilities. Coincidentally, the program was already planning a move to a larger, modern venue at the front of campus that would open the following year.

In 2003, Bobcat Stadium opened its gates, ushering in a new era for Bobcat Football. The field was officially dedicated to Sim Cooley in 2006, and today Sim Cooley Field at Bobcat Stadium stands as one of the premier gameday environments in Mississippi JUCO football, continuing the tradition of excellence that has defined Jones College for over 100 years.

Food and Beverage   3

The food scene at Bobcat Stadium is simple but dependable, anchored by a single concession stand attached to the athletic offices in the north end zone. Fans will find all the basics here: burgers, hot dogs, nachos, popcorn, and chips – nothing fancy, but everything you’d expect from a classic JUCO game day setup. Prices are reasonable, portions are solid, and bottled Coca-Cola products make up the drink options. Season ticket holders and booster club members can sometimes upgrade their experience by accessing the hospitality tent in the north end zone, where a full buffet-style spread is typically offered before kickoff.

Atmosphere   3

Bobcat Stadium at Sim Cooley Field may appear straightforward in design, but it offers an intense and uniquely southern JUCO football atmosphere. Tucked along the back side of campus near the school’s athletic complex, the venue follows a traditional high school and community college layout, with a north–south field layout and open end zones framing each side.

Fans enter primarily through the south end zone, where the ticket office and athletic department offices are located. On select game days, this area transforms into a lively pre-game zone, with a tailgate tent reserved for season ticket holders, boosters, and alums. The setup also often features a full buffet-style spread and refreshments, creating one of the more impressive hospitality experiences you'll find at the junior college level.

Seating stretches along both sidelines on uncovered metal bleachers. The visiting section occupies the west sideline with roughly 15 rows, while the home grandstand on the east sideline rises to around 30 rows, topped by a two-story press box. From the top rows, fans can enjoy excellent views of campus and the surrounding athletic facilities.

The home side seating bowl is especially striking with alternating garnet and gold sections, as well as a matching garnet windscreen wrapping the field, both reinforcing the Bobcat identity. A trimmed hedge runs along the home sideline, giving the field a classic “between-the-hedges” feel, which is unique at this level. In addition, behind the north end zone sits a sizeable LED board displaying replays, highlights, and Jones College promos, adding to the modern presentation.

Also adding to the atmosphere is one of the premier marching bands in junior college athletics, the Jones College Typhoon. Their booming brass, crisp percussion, and pre-kickoff entrance set the tone early, and the band fills breaks in the action with a steady soundtrack that makes the stadium feel alive from whistle to whistle.

Neighborhood   3

Jones College sits in the charming small town of Ellisville, with a population of just over 3,400. Ellisville is one of the state’s oldest towns, and its historic character gives it plenty of personality. Just a few blocks from campus, downtown Ellisville features a classic Southern courthouse square surrounded by brick buildings, which look much like they did a century ago.

Just off campus in downtown you can find several restaurants, including Casadores Mexican Grill, offering everything from Mexican favorites to sizzling fajitas. Alternatively, Harp & Hound provides a cozy pub-style setting with draft beers and comfort food, and after dinner, you can stroll across the square to Bennie & Mae's – the local ice cream shop that’s a favorite stop.

Antique hunters and vintage lovers should make time for the Carpenter Bros. Emporium of Wonderful Whatnots, a two-story treasure trove open on weekends only. Dig through vinyl records, collectibles, and quirky finds; this beloved shop has even earned national attention thanks to an appearance on HGTV’s Home Town, filmed just down the road in Laurel.

In addition, history buffs and thrill-seekers alike won’t want to miss the Amos Deason House. Built in 1845, this home became famous after a Civil War skirmish took place there in 1863, resulting in the death of its owner. Today, the property is known as one of the South’s most haunted homes and has been featured on paranormal TV shows. Free tours are offered on Saturdays, and the dramatic events that unfolded here helped inspire the 2016 film Free State of Jones, starring Matthew McConaughey.

For hotels, there are none in Ellisville, but a short 20 minutes either way will put you in either Hattiesburg or Laurel, where you can find plenty of lodging.

Fans   3

When you come out for a Bobcats home game, one of the first things you notice is the intimate, community-driven feel of the crowd. The Bobcats average about 4,000 fans per home game, as the visiting side often fills up as well – JUCO football is huge in Mississippi.

The fan base here is made up of students, faculty, alumni, and residents from Ellisville and surrounding Jones County. On game night, you’ll see groups of high school friends, local families, and long-time supporters who’ve followed the Bobcats through good and bad seasons. In a town of about 3,400 people, that kind of turnout means the whole community shows up in spirit. You will also see a lot of visiting fans, as the Mississippi JUCOs travel well to away games.

Access   3

Ellisville sits in a sweet spot along I-59, almost perfectly halfway between Hattiesburg (population around 46,000) and Laurel (population roughly 18,000). If you’re coming in from either direction on the interstate, the easiest route to campus is Exit 85; take that exit and follow the winding road into campus. Then, after a short drive through the trees, the stadium appears on the back side of campus, tucked beside the school’s other athletic facilities.

Parking is plentiful and free, with the largest cluster of spots located near the baseball stadium right next door. Additional campus lots are also usually open on game day, so finding a space is rarely an issue.

Inside Bobcat Stadium, seating is general admission except for the chairback section at midfield on the home side. Fans are free to move around as they please, and you can easily walk between the home and visiting sides to get different sightlines, or to soak in the atmosphere from both fan bases.

Return on Investment   3

With $10 for general admission, tickets here are a steal for this level of football – you’re getting a front-row look at some of the most competitive JUCO schools in the country. In addition, concessions here won’t drain your wallet, parking is simple, and the stadium’s layout lets you roam freely from the home bleachers to the visiting side without any hassle, giving you multiple vantage points of the game.

Also, with the sheer influx of talent into Mississippi JUCO football, you never really know who you’re watching. Just a few years ago, Stetson Bennett was slinging passes for the Bobcats in 2018 before becoming a back-to-back national championship quarterback at Georgia. That’s the kind of return on investment you get for ten bucks: future stars, big-time plays, and a game day experience that feels way bigger than the price tag.

Extras   4

The Bobcats have produced 17 NFL Draft picks in their history, including three first-rounders. Their most legendary alum is quarterback Jackie Parker, one of the greatest players in CFL history. A three-time Grey Cup champion, Parker is enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame for his Mississippi State career, as well as honored in the Jones College and NJCAA Halls of Fame for his brilliance in Ellisville.

Jones has also sent major standouts to the NFL, such as former Packers Pro Bowl receiver Javon Walker and Super Bowl XXXIX MVP Deion Branch of the New England Patriots.

Entering the 2025 season, two former Bobcats are active in the league: Stetson Bennett, a two-time national championship quarterback at Georgia, and Washington Commanders defensive lineman Javon Kinlaw.

Another extra for the key chapter in Jones College’s football history, which came in 1955, when the Bobcats traveled to California to play Compton Junior College in the Junior Rose Bowl. Compton’s roster was made up largely of Black players, making Jones the first Mississippi college football team at any level to compete against Black athletes. A historical marker commemorating that groundbreaking game now stands on campus in front of A.B. Howard Gymnasium, home of the Bobcat basketball program.

Another extra for the program is the Jones College Typhoon Band, one of the most celebrated ensembles in all of junior college football; if Jackson State’s Sonic Boom of the South is the gold standard at the Division I level, then the Typhoon Band holds that same stature in the JUCO ranks.