Northeast Mississippi Community College
2011-12 Spring Sports Media Guide
Northeast
Sports
Northeast Mississippi Community College
Northeast
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Table of Contents
p. 4.....................................................................................................Presidential Greeting p. 5..........................................................................................................Board of Trustees p. 6............................................................................................Athletic Director Greeting p. 7...................................................................................................Kent Farris Biography p. 8 ..........................................................................................Richy Harrelson Biography p. 9 ..... .............................................................................................Jody Long Biography p. 10 .............................................................................................Evan Pounds Biography p. 10...........................................................................................Mike Anderson Biography p. 11.............................................................................................Lynn Smither Biography p. 11 ...................................................................................................Bo Ricks Biography p. 12........................................................................................M. Joseph Miller Biography p. 13........................................................................................................... Retired Jerseys p. 14 ...................................................................................................... Baseball Schedule p. 15 .......................................................................................................... Baseball Roster p. 16-18 ............................................................................................ Baseball Biographies p. 19 ................................................................................................ Diamond Girl Roster p. 20-21 ................................................................................... Diamond Girl Biographies p. 22 ....................................................................................................... Softball Schedule p. 23 ........................................................................................................... Softball Roster p. 24-25 ............................................................................................. Softball Biographies p. 26 ..........................................................................................................Tennis Schedule p. 27 .....................................................................................................Tiger Tennis Roster p. 27 ............................................................................................Lady Tiger Tennis Roster p. 28 ............................................................................................Tiger Tennis Biographies p. 29 ...................................................................................Lady Tiger Tennis Biographies p. 30 .............................................................................................................Golf Schedule p. 31 .................................................................................................................Golf Roster p. 32 .........................................................................................................Golf Biographies p. 33 ............................................................................................................All-Americans p. 34-36 ........................................................................2011 NEMCC Sports Hall of Fame p. 36 ....................................................................................NEMCC Sports Hall of Fame p. 36 .................................................................................... MACJC Sports Hall of Fame p. 37 ............................................................................................. 2010-11 Year in Review p. 40 ................................................................... Northeast Athletics Contact Information
Northeast Mississippi Community College
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Letter from the President Dear Friends of Northeast: Thank you for your support of the athletic efforts of Northeast Mississippi Community College. Each coach and each athlete has worked hard to ensure that our teams are ready to give performances that make you proud to be a “Tiger Fan.� Northeast exists to provide educational, recreational and social resources for students and supporters to grow and enjoy their accomplishments. While you are on campus, I hope you have a safe and enjoyable visit. I trust you will use this opportunity to get to know our students, coaches and staff. We are always ready to assist you to enjoy your time with us. Thank you for everything that you do to encourage and support our efforts. We are always glad to have you on our campus.
Sincerely, Johnny L. Allen President 4
Northeast Mississippi Community College
Northeast
Sports Board of Trustees
T. Jack Ramsey
Chairman Tenure of Service: 1983 Tishomingo County/ Banker
Ken Basil
Tenure of Service: 2008 Union County Superintendent of Education
Douglas Jackson
Tenure of Service: 1995 Tippah County Retired Educator
Randle Downs
Tenure of Service: 2012 Prentiss County Superintendent of Education
Troy Holliday
Vice Chairman Tenure of Service: 1964 Tippah County Businessman
John O. Cunningham
Alvie Blakney
Tenure of Service: 2011 Tishomingo County Retire Businessman
Malcolm Kuykendall Tenure of Service: 2006 Tishomingo County Superintendent of Education
Gina Smith
Tenure of Service: 2012 Alcorn County Superintendent of Education
Secretary Tenure of Service: 1995 Prentiss County Businessman
Bill Breedlove
Tenure of Service: 1999 Prentiss County Businessman
Tracie Langston
Tenure of Service: 2004 Prentiss County Businesswoman
Luzene Triplett
Tenure of Service: 2002 Prentiss County Retire Educator
Northeast Mississippi Community College
Wayne Butler
Tenure of Service: 2007 Alcorn County Retire Educator
Sam McCoy
Tenure of Service: 1988 Prentiss County Businessman
Vance Witt
Tenure of Service: 2007 Union County Businessman
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Athletic Director Ricky Ford
Former Northeast women’s basketball coach Ricky Ford left his “built Ford tough” mark on many Lady Tiger teams since coming to Northeast in 1981. After the 2010-11 season, Ford decided to hang it up and went into his victory lap through the Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges (MACJC). On March 7, 2011 Ford announced he was stepping down as women’s basketball coach at Northeast. Ford ended his career at Northeast with an overall record of 588-226. While wins have not been on the coach’s mind, the satisfaction of a job well done kept Ford going at Northeast for 30 seasons. Building success on and off the court was what Ford did since coming to Northeast Mississippi Junior College in 1981. During his 30-year coaching career, Ford only had four sub-.500 seasons and the first of those did not come until his 2002-03 Lady Tigers finished 11-12 but even it finished as the North Division runner-up. Within five years since taking over the Lady Tiger program in 1981, Ford had transformed the Lady Tigers into national title contenders that included a national runner-up finish in 1986 and a national championship in 1987. During Ford’s illustrious career, the Lady Tiger basketball coach led his team to 15 North Division titles, nine MACJC State
Championships with 6 (six) of those state championships being consecutive and three Region XXIII crowns while leading the Lady Tigers to the National Junior College Athletic Association’s (NJCAA) national basketball tournament on three separate occasions. Ford went to the national tournament a final time in 2005-06 as the Lady Tigers captured the North Division, MACJC State and Region XXIII titles and finished the season as the nation’s No. 21-ranked team after appearing in the national event in Salina, Kan. Following his final national tournament appearance, Ford was honored as the Division I, District O, Region XXIII Coach of the Year - an award that is given to the head coach of each of the 16 regional championship teams. One year after his national tournament appearance, Ford continued his success in the MACJC as the veteran mentor led the Lady tigers back to the Region XXIII tournament
for a twenty-fifth straight year as the Lady Tigers once again captured the North Division - their fourth straight division title - and successfully defended their 2006 MACJC State Title. Ford was appointed Dean of Student Services at the beginning of the 2011 spring semester following the retirement of Kenneth Pounders, and is currently in his sixth year as athletic director for the college. His responsibilities as athletic director has Ford overseeing the day-to-day operations of an athletic department that features eight varsity sports, an all-female cheerleading squad and also coordinates the annual MACJC AllStar Football Classic game that is held each year in December. Prior to coming to Northeast, Ford built successful basketball programs at Booneville High School coaching the Lady Blue Devils for four years and the Blue Devils for a pair of seasons. Ford’s overall careen record stands at 676253 and carries a winning percentage of 72.7 percent into retirement. An alumnus of Northeast and former Tiger basketball player under Kenneth Lindsey, Ford earned a bachelor’s degree from Mississippi State University and a master’s degree from the University of Mississippi. Ricky and his wife LuAnne have four children, Aaron, Lauren, Suzanne, and Ben.
Letter from the Athletic Director Parents, Fans, Supporters, Alumni, On behalf of the Athletic Department at Northeast Mississippi Community College, I want to welcome you to this athletic event. We hope that your visit today will create an interest that will encourage you to come back. As we strive for excellence in the classroom and in the athletic arena, we would like to encourage every one of you to become involved in all aspects of our athletic department. As we try to reach the highest level with all of our sports programs we must continue to work very hard to be the very best we can be. We are looking for all avenues of resources to build on our already competitive programs. Within the last five (5) years, we have steadily improved every one of our athletic teams. We now have great leadership in all of our athletic programs and we are very excited about what the future holds for all of them. We would like to invite you to become a part of our Athletic booster club and help us as we strive to reach the highest level. Our goal is to educate our student/athletes to a level that will put them at the very top in their perspective sport. In addition, we want our athletes to be some of our most productive citizens. Again, welcome to the NEMCC campus and we hope you have a very enjoyable visit and we welcome you back at any time either to visit our campus or to attend another athletic event. Thanks! Ricky G. Ford 6
Northeast Mississippi Community College
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Head Baseball Coach Kent Farris
Kent Farris Ever since taking over the Tiger baseball program in 2007, Kent Farris has seen the Tigers steadily increase their prominence in the Mississippi Association of Community/Junior Colleges (MACJC) and the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA). Farris and company posted a winning record during the 2010-11 season at 22-20 and finished the North Division with a break-even mark of 12-12. In 2009-10, Farris’ team continued to make its mark as a premier sport for the Tigers by appearing in the MACJC State Playoffs for the third straight year. Farris’ club advanced as the third seed from the North Division and traveled to Hinds Community College to face the Eagles who was the south division runner-up. Northeast was unable to get by Hinds and finished the season with an overall record of 25-27. In 2008-09, Farris led the Tigers to their second straight runner up finish in the Mississippi Association of Community/Junior Colleges (MACJC) North Division and helped the Tigers gain their first postseason host role for the first time since 1992. Northeast registered its first win over Itawamba since 2004 under Farris as the Tigers scored a 9-2 win against the Indians on the final game of the regular season in 2009 as the Tigers finished with a 33-14 record and a 17-7 mark in the league. Farris led the Northeast Tigers baseball team to a 32-18 record, a runner-up finish in the MACJC North Division, and appearances in both the State and Region 23 tournaments. The veteran high school baseball coach and instructor made the jump back to the college level in 2006, when Northeast Mississippi Community College chose Farris to be its new head baseball coach, replacing Ray Scott who had held the position since 1991. Farris came to Northeast from Columbus High School (CHS) where he spent the last two seasons as the head baseball coach. Under Farris, the Falcons recorded an 18-11 record, won the 2006 Division II-5A championship and hosted a first round playoff series for the first time
Season 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
Coach Kent Farris Kent Farris Kent Farris Kent Farris Kent Farris
Overall
in school history. His 2005 team went 14-16, which was a 12 win improvement over its 2004 total. During his tenure at CHS five players signed community/junior college scholarships and two players participated in the Crossroads Diamond Club State All-Star Game. He was named Columbus Commercial Dispatch Area Coach of the Year in 2006. Before taking over the Columbus program Farris was head baseball coach at Caledonia High School from 2002-2004. He worked as an assistant baseball coach at New Hope High School and head junior high baseball coach from 1996-2002, where he was also an assistant football coach and head soccer coach and ninth grade football coach. Farris’ most extensive head coaching experience came at Alcorn Central High School where he served as head baseball coach for both the junior high and high school from 1984 to 1995. While at Central, Farris led the Golden Bears to a 265-162-7 record. His teams qualified for the 3A State Playoffs in 1984, 1986, 1988 and 1990. Alcorn Central won the 3A State championship in 1988; the 3A North Half in 1988 and 1990; and the division title in 1988. He was selected Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal Coach of the Year in 1988. Nineteen of his players from this era signed college scholarships and two signed professional contracts. Farris was on the staff as an assistant baseball coach at the University of North Alabama (UNA) from 1983-84 and helped lead the Lions to the 1984 Gulf South Conference title for the first time in school history. That team also finished second in the NCAA Division II South Central Region and featured five players that signed professional contracts. An active coach in American Legion Baseball during his career, Farris also began working as an associate scout for the Pittsburgh Pirates Professional Baseball Club in 1998. Farris earned a Bachelor of Science degree from UNA in 1981 and a Master of Arts in secondary education from the same institution in 1983. He also completed teaching certification requirements in health from the Mississippi Department of Education in 1994 and in driver’s education from Mississippi State University in 2001. Professionally, Farris is a member of the American Baseball Coaches Association, the Crossroads Diamond Club, the Baseball Coaches Association (national high school), the Mississippi Association of Coaches, the Mississippi Association of Professional Educators and is a founding member and board member of the Northeast Mississippi Coaches Association for Better Baseball (NEMCABB). Farris’ other professional honors and awards include his being named a Crossroads Diamond Club All-Star Game coach in 1989, a MEMCABB All-Star coach in 1992 and 2002, and a Junior Sunbelt Classic coach in 1979-99 and in 2001. Farris has one son, Keaton and is married to Joye Farris.
Farris at Northeast
W 14 32 33 25 22
L 32 20 14 27 20
126 113
Division Results 2 14 10 6 Fourth in State Tournament, Qualified for Region XXIII Tourn. 17 7 North Division runner-up, Hosted Playoff with Jones Co. 15 9 Third in the North, went to Hinds in first round 12 12 Fifth in the North
56 48
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Assistant Baseball Coach Richy Harrelson
Richy Harrelson Northeast Mississippi Community College baseball fans will see a familiar sight in the dugout when the Tigers open up the 2011-12 season as Richy Harrelson of Iuka returns to the Tiger coaching staff. Harrelson was the Tigers pitching coach in 2008 and helped lead the Tiger baseball team to a 32-18 record alongside Northeast head coach Kent Farris. During Harrelson’s year with the Tigers, Northeast notched a Mississippi Association of Community/Junior Colleges (MACJC) North Division runner-up finish and appeared in the National Junior College Athletic Association’s (NJCAA) Region XXIII Tournament. “We are very excited to have Coach Harrelson returning to the program after being at USM the past three seasons,” said Farris. “He has been vital to the success of the Golden Eagles for the past three years which included a trip to Omaha and the College World Series and participation in three NCAA Regional Tournaments.” Following a successful stint with the Tigers, Harrelson helped guide the University of Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles to its first-ever Super Regional against the University of Florida and thanks to a 7-6 win against the host Gators, the Golden Eagles also claimed their first-ever College World Series appearance. Prior to his 2008 season with the Tigers, Harrelson was a successful varsity coach helping to guide the Lafayette County High School Commodores to a 105-80 record during his time there including 14 postseason victories and the 2006 Missis-
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sippi High School Activities Association’s (MHSAA) Class 4A State Championship. During his final year at Lafayette County, Harrelson led the Commodores to a 23-11 record while reaching the MHSAA postseason for a fourth straight year before falling to Neshoba Central in the Class 4A North State semifinals. Harrelson made his mark on the northeast Mississippi baseball community during his prep career at Iuka High School in Tishomingo County. During his high school career (1989-92), Harrelson put himself among the nation’s best. Harrelson is still listed in the National High School Baseball Record Book for career hits (236), career runs batted in (226) and career wins (55) “Coach Harrelson brings a great deal of energy, enthusiasm, and knowledge of the game with him and we are extremely excited about him returning to this area and Northeast,” Farris said. “He is a very familiar face to this area and we know that he will be a positive influence for us in all aspects of our baseball program and Northeast.” Harrelson began his coaching career as an assistant with the University of Mississippi in 1997, before moving to Hillcrest Christian School in Jackson in 1998 where he was assistant baseball coach, assistant football coach and taught world history until 2001. At Southern Miss, Harrelson oversaw the Golden Eagle outfielders, worked with the USM hitters and coached first base. Harrelson also helped Chad Caillet in leading an offensive attack the led Conference USA in each of the last 3 years in several categories. Those categories included: Base on Balls, Hit By Pitches, OB %, RBI’s, Sac Bunts, Sac Flies, and most important Runs Scores. During his time at Ole Miss, Harrelson was a third baseman and pitcher for the Rebels from 1993- 96. He also played a season in the prestigious Cape Cod summer league in 1994 and one season as a professional in 1997. Professionals Coached: bold indicates the school where the players were attending. Harrelson is married to Hope Belk Harrelson of Weir, MS. He has two children, Gage and Mary Cille. His mom and dad, Jerry and Lana, also live in Booneville.
Northeast Mississippi Community College
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Head Softball Coach Jody Long
Jody Long Head Coach Jody Long led his Lady Tigers back to the 201011 MACJC State Tournament in Perkinston and gave host Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College a run in the first round of the tournament before seeing their season come to an end. Northeast finished a 25-23 record on the softball diamond and the program sits just one win shy of the 300-win plateau since switching over to fast-pitch competition in 2011. In 2009-10 Coach Long was able to collect wins in the second half of the season to close out the year on a positive note. The Lady Tigers just missed the post season by falling in to the fifth spot in the final MACJC North Division standings, which was the first time that has happened since making the switch to fastpitch in 2001. Long began working as an assistant softball coach at Northeast in 1997, and following the 2000 season, played a major role in the program’s switch to fast pitch competition. Following a postseason appearance in ‘07, Long’s 2008 Tigers found their stride en route to a 34-20 record, including a 14-3 mark in division play, good enough to earn Northeast’s 7th MACJC North Division title in the past eight years. Long led the Tigers (33-22) to their third straight Tiger-Fest championship, a sixth consecutive North Division title and a State and Region 23 Tournament runner-up finish in 2006. Those finishes were the fourth and third in a row respectively. He was runner-up in the voting for Mississippi Association of
Season Coach 2006 Jody Long 2007 Jody Long 2008 Jody Long 2009 Jody Long 2010 Jody Long 2011 Jody Long Overall
Community/Junior Colleges (MACJC) Coach of the Year. Northeast’s softball team is the only team in Region 23 (Mississippi and Louisiana) to play in every championship game from 2001 to 2006. Beginning with the 2001 season, the Tigers shared one North Division title (’01) and won the championship outright five times (’02, ’03, ’04, ’05 and ‘06). Northeast has hosted the State/Region 23 Tournament twice (’02 and ‘04) and battled through the loser’s bracket to win the Region 23 title and participate in the National Tournament in 2003. In 2001, Long was named the All-Region/All American Director through the National Fast Pitch Coaches Association (NFCA). Following the 2003 campaign, he was named NFCA Division II South Region Coach of the Year. Long has also served as the president of the MACJC Softball Coaches Association since 2003. Long also serves as assistant director of event planning and resident life and is a Fellowship of Christian Athletes sponsor. After attending Northeast as a student and working as a manager/trainer on the baseball team, Long of New Albany returned to Booneville in the spring of 1997 to complete an internship through the University of Mississippi. He joined the Northeast family full time that summer as the director of the college’s commercial-style health and fitness center, which he planned and developed, and an assistant director of student activities. Since then, Long has become an instrumental member of the Northeast athletic family, helping turn the Tiger softball program into a perennial powerhouse. Prior to coming to Northeast, Long earned a bachelor’s degree in exercise science and leisure management (ESLM) from the University of Mississippi. He was named the ESLM undergraduate of the year in 1997 with a 3.85 core grade point average. Long obtained a master’s degree in education administration in December of 2000. Long is a member of the Booneville Church of Christ. Jody and his wife Wendy Sullivan of Pontotoc have two sons, Anderson and Thomas.
Long at Northeast W 32 24 34 18 14 25 147
L Division Results 23 14 2 Division Champion, Region Runner-up 29 14 4 Division Runner-up 20 14 3 Division Champion 21 13 11 4th in Division 30 10 14 5th in Division 23 12 10 4th in Division 146 77 44
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Assistant Softball Coach Evan Pounds
Evan Pounds Northeast Mississippi Community College newest assistant softball coach is a familiar face in the crowd. Northeast head softball coach Jody Long has announced that Evan Pounds will be joining the Lady Tigers for the 2011-12 season. Pounds, a former baseball catcher under current Northeast baseball coach Kent Farris, makes his return to Northeast after a pair of years at the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) where he served as a student assistant/manager under Missy Dickerson’s Lady Rebel softball team while earning his undergraduate degree. Pounds graduated from the University of Mississippi with a bachelor’s degree in social studies education in May 2011 and plans to begin work on his master’s degree during the summer.
However, Pounds’ trip back to Booneville is not his first foray into the City of Hospitality. Pounds is a life-long resident of Booneville and is the son of Stan and Wilda Pounds. Wilda Pounds is a natural science instructor on the Northeast Booneville campus and also serves on the Booneville Board of Aldermen. During his varsity career, Pounds was a three-year starter for Bo Sandlin’s Booneville Blue Devils before making the short trek to Northeast in the fall of 2007. While with the Blue Devils, Pounds pieced together a .341 batting average, a .449 slugging percentage and had a .987 fielding percentage before becoming Farris’ first signee of the 2007-08 Northeast baseball class. During his freshman year with the Tiger baseball team, Pounds had a .455 batting average and a pair of RBI while appearing in 13 games for the Tigers. In his final year at Northeast, Pounds made the switch from baseball to softball and began his career trek with Long’s Lady Tigers as a student assistant. In the 2008-09 season, the Lady Tigers finished in fourth place in the North Division and made an appearance in the Mississippi Association of Community/Junior Colleges (MACJC) State Tournament against Copiah-Lincoln. Following his time at Northeast, Pounds make the short trip to Oxford to be part of Dickerson’s staff with the Lady Rebels while completing his undergraduate degree.
Head Golf Coach Mike Anderson
Mike Anderson Mike Anderson begins his first season as Northeast head golf coach and brings a wealth of knowledge to the Tiger team. Anderson served as the Booneville Golf and Country Club manager for nearly five years in the mid-1990s. During his time at the Booneville Golf and Country Club, Anderson oversaw the day-to-day operations of the golf course, swimming pool, clubhouse and pro shop from 1994-98. When not running the Booneville Golf and Country Club, Anderson is a life-long golfer and has an intimate knowledge of the game. 10
However, it is in southern Prentiss County where Anderson has found his calling. Anderson has served three stints at Wheeler High School first for 24 years as a teacher and coach before returning in 1999-2000 on a part-time basis to help with the Wheeler Junior High girls and boys basketball program. During his first 24 years, Anderson was an American Government and Economics instructor and also handled the teaching duties for American history and Mississippi studies. Anderson’s third return to the Eagles came in 2009-11 where he once again helped the Wheeler Junior High boys basketball team. Between his time at Wheeler High School and the Booneville Golf and Country Club, Anderson has spent time at Jumpertown High School, Marietta Junior High School and Pine Grove High School. Anderson, a life-long educator, has had the opportunity to coach high school girls, ninth grade boys, junior high boys and girls, and junior high baseball during his time in the Mississippi Public School system. Anderson attended Northeast Mississippi Junior College in 1964-66 before completing his degree at Delta State University in Cleveland in 1968.
Northeast Mississippi Community College
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Head Tennis Coach Lynn Smither
Lynn Smither Lynn Smither begins her first year as head coach for the men and women’s tennis teams at Northeast after Jeff Melson resigned to devote more time to the classroom. Smither is no stranger to the courts clocking time as a member the Delta State Lady Statesmen tennis team in the late 1980s
and early 1990s and has been an active member of the recreational tennis scene for many years. Smither, who serves as an ABE/GED instructor for Northeast’s Adult Basic Education division, holds a bachelor’s in physical education and health science from Delta State with a minor in special education and also earned a master’s in special education from the Cleveland, Miss.-based university. Smither played singles and doubles for the Lady Statesman program and grew up playing tennis at Cleveland High School. During her time at Delta State, Smither was also a founding member of the Delta Ladies, a group of young women that served as recruiters for the Statesman football program. Smither has also had the opportunity to serve a three-year term on the Mississippi Professional Educators Board of Directors and represented Mississippi’s 15 community and junior colleges on the board. Smither is the wife of Northeast head football coach Ricky Smither and has two children, Russ and Kaitlyn.
Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist Bo Ricks
Bo Ricks A life-long Booneville resident has return to be Northeast’s Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist . Bo Ricks, who grew up in Booneville, has returned to the City of Hospitality to take over the reins of the Northeast athletic training program after Meghan Sink returned to Florida during the fall 2011 semester. Ricks, whose mother Debbie Ricks served as the department chairperson for the Northeast Mississippi Community College Associated Degree Nursing program, spent the last six months in Gainesville, Fla., before returning home. Following his graduation from the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) with a Master’s Degree in Exercise Science with an emphasis in Neuromechanics, Ricks headed to the Sunshine State to serve as a personal trainer at the Gainesville Health and Fitness Center during the latter part of 2011. While at the University of Mississippi, Ricks completed work on his undergraduate degree in business administration with an
emphasis in Management of Behavioral Groups in 2007 and then focused on his master’s degree while working with the University of Mississippi football team and served as an intern strength and conditioning coach for the Rebel football from July-December, 2009. During his time with the Rebel football team, Ricks helped to lead, direct and coach athletes in the weight room as well as assisted with the speed, strength and conditioning training of the Rebel skill and redshirt groups. Ricks oversaw the day-today dietary needs and nutritional needs of the athletes under his watch as well. While focusing on his master’s degree, Ricks moved into a laboratory setting as a graduate research assistant in the Applied Biomechanics/Ergonomics Laboratory (ABEL) and assisted with data collection during a study entitled, “The Effect of Extended Durations on Walking with Different Footwear on Postural Control Measures.” Before making the trek to Oxford, Ricks was busy in the City of Hospitality working at the Master Craft Builders, Inc., for a year-and-a-half where he learned how to design commercial steel buildings in AutoCAD and assessed project plans with clients and prospects. Ricks’ love for working with people dates back to his days his high school days where he served as a lifeguard at the Booneville City Park as a lifeguard for three straight years starting in 2001. Ricks is currently certified with the National Strength and Conditioning Association as a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) and in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and to use an automated external defibrillator (AED).
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Sports Information Director Joseph Miller
Michael Joseph Miller of Milton, Fla., was hired August 25, 2008 to the Public Information Office as the Assistant Public Information Officer and Sports Information Director at Northeast Mississippi Community College. After graduating from Milton High School in May of 1995, Miller joined the United States Navy in September of that same year and served in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii as a Torpedomans Mate. Miller received an honorable discharge in 1998 along with the National Defense Ribbon from the Gulf War and the Good Conduct Medal for his faithful service to the country. Upon completing his duty to the Navy, Miller decided to return to school and pursue his education and athletic aspirations. He found his way to Northeast Mississippi Community College in the spring of 1999, and soon began his journey to fulfill his academic and athletics aspirations as a Tiger. As a student-athlete for Northeast playing football for the Tigers, Miller was coached by head coach Laurin Collins during the 1999 and 2000 seasons. Despite being plagued by knee injuries (torn ACL’s), he entered both seasons atop the depth chart at free safety. Miller graduated early in the fall of 2000 and was on the Dean’s List with an associate’s degree in physical education from Northeast. After Northeast, Miller went on to play football and pursue his higher educational
Joseph Miller
goals at Troy State University and lettered in Division I-A football in 2002-03. He graduated from Troy on the Dean’s List in 2004 with a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism mentoring in Media Relations and Sports Information. Miller spent one year in the Sports Information Department at Troy as an intern for the Sports Information Director Tom Strothers. He also worked part-time for the Troy State Television Department as a studentreporter, cameraman, anchorman, master control room operator, and writer for three years before graduation. As part of his work with TSU-TV, Miller was chosen to represent Troy at the WAKA 8 television station in Montgomery, Ala., as a sports anchor for a contest of amateur sports anchors. He was selected as the third best anchor out of countless of contestants by the viewing audience in 2003.
Miller worked for the Unity Broadcasting Network in Booneville in 2004 as a master control operator, cameraman, anchor, reporter, writer, and as an advertising sales representative in the public relations department. After his work in journalism, Miller spent four years from 2004 to 2008 working for the United States government at Miltec Missiles and Space A Ducommun Company in Iuka. He worked as a Missiles Mechanical Technician/Inventory Clerk and was also the Media Relations representative for the Iuka facilities reporting to the home office public relations department in Huntsville, Ala. Miller decided to get back to his first love, journalism, and came on board with Northeast Mississippi Community College in August of 2008. His responsibilities at Northeast duties include working with members of the local media as they cover NEMCC sporting events and other campus happenings, constructing and sending press releases to local media outlets regarding NEMCC, and helping the Tigers’ coaching staff recruiting efforts, and keeping statistics, working for the associate vice president of Public Information Tony Finch. Miller and his wife Sabrina have two children, Elias Jude and Lydia Diane,and are members of Calvary Apostolic/Holiness Church in Corinth.
“TIGERS”
When Northeast was founded in 1948, Bonner Arnold served as physical education instructor, men’ basketball coach and athletic director. Arnold and legendary University of Kentucky Wildcat men’s basketball coach Adolph Rupp were friends and as a result of this friendship and the success of the Kentucky basketball program, Arnold wanted the school’s athletic teams to sport a similar nickname. “Fighting Tigers” was adopted as the school’s mascot.
Arnold
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Later, the school’s athletic program grew to include men’s and women’s varsity sports. “Fighting” was dropped and the teams became known as the “Tigers” and “Lady Tigers.”
Northeast Mississippi Community College
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Retired Jerseys
Northeast athletic department officials have announced the retirement of nine jerseys worn by former Tiger athletes who played or are currently playing on the professional level.
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10
25
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David “Nub” Strickland (‘55) Holly Springs Denver Broncos (NFL)
Adrian Smith (‘56) Kirksey, KY Cincinnati Royals (NBA)
Mike Williams (‘81) Atmore, AL Philadelphia Eagles (NFL)
Jackie Perry (‘86) Jackson, TN Int’l Women’s Basketball League
22
14
32
88
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Jerome Woods (‘93) Memphis, TN Kansas City Chiefs (NFL)
Mitch McNeely (‘94) New Albany Los Angeles Dodgers (MLB)
Dontae Jones (‘95) Nashville, TN New York Knicks (NBA)
Michael Boireau (‘98) North Miami, FL Minnesota Vikings (NFL)
Qyntel Woods (‘02) Memphis, TN Portland Trailblazers (NBA)
Boa-Viagem, Portugal
Go, Fight, Win “Go --- Tigers, We’re behind you. Fight --- till the battle’s over. Win --- for --- the pride of Northeast Gain the Victory! Go!......................... Fight!..................... Win!....................... N.E.M.C.C. Lyrics by former Northeast director of bands and ‘74 alumnus Ricky Bishop. Sung to the tune of “The Victors,” (L.Elbel) the University of Michigan fight song.
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2011-12 Tiger Baseball Schedule Site
Time
Meridian# East Central# (2)
Decatur Decatur
1 p.m. 4 p.m.
Northwest# Meridian#
Jackson Jackson
10 a.m. 1 p.m.
Wallace St.-Hanceville (2) Calhoun (Ala.) (2) Jones County (2) Jackson St. (Tenn.) (2) Wallace St.-Hanceville (2)
Booneville Booneville Ellisville Jackson, Tenn. Hanceville, Ala.
Noon Noon 2 p.m. Noon 1 p.m.
MARCH Thursday, March 1 Saturday, March 3 Tuesday, March 6 Saturday, March 10 Monday, March 12 Saturday, March 17 Sunday, March 18 Tuesday, March 20 Saturday, March 24 Wednesday, March 28 Saturday, March 31
Hinds Tournament Arkansas Baptist (2) East Central (2) Ellsworth (Iowa) Jones County Coahoma* (2) Mississippi Delta* (2) Arkansas Baptist (2) Holmes* (2) Northwest* (2) East Mississippi* (2) Itawamba* (2)
Raymond Booneville Decatur Booneville Booneville Clarksdale Booneville Little Rock, Ark. Booneville Senatobia Booneville Fulton
Noon Noon 1 p.m. 10 a.m. 4 p.m. Noon Noon 1 p.m. 1 p.m. 1 p.m. 1 p.m. 3 p.m.
APRIL Tuesday, April 3 Thursday, April 5 Wednesday, April 11 Saturday, April 14 Tuesday, April 17 Saturday, April 21 Wednesday, April 25
Calhoun (Ala.) (2) Coahoma* (2) Mississippi Delta* (2) Holmes* (2) Northwest* (2) East Mississippi* (2) Itawamba* (2)
Decatur, Ala. Booneville Moorhead Goodman Booneville Scooba Booneville
Noon Noon 1 p.m. 2 p.m. 1 p.m. 3 p.m. 1 p.m.
SEPTEMBER Saturday, Sept. 24 OCTOBER Wednesday, October 12 FEBRUARY Tuesday, February 14 Tuesday, February 21 Saturday, February 25 Monday, February 27 Tuesday, February 28
Opponent
MAY May 4-5 MACJC State Playoffs May 10-13 MACJC State Championships *Denotes MACJC North Division Game #Denotes Fall Exhibition Game BOLD denotes home contest at Harold T. White Field 14
Northeast Mississippi Community College
Northeast
Sports
2011-12 Tiger Baseball Team
No.
Name
Position
Class
Ht.
Wt.
1 Drew Wray Infield Fresh. 5-10 140 2 Trae Allison Infield Soph. 5-10 170 3 Drew Chisholm Infield Soph. 5-8 130 4 Tre Welch Outfield Fresh. 5-9 154 5 Kyle Robbins Left-handed Pitcher Fresh. 5-10 214 6 Drew Cristo Infield Soph. 5-6 142 7 Josh Mills Infield Fresh. 5-10 165 8 Hunt Halford Left-handed Pitcher Fresh. 6-1 174 10 Beau Cummings Right-handed Pitcher Soph. 6-4 198 11 Kyle Stephenson Right-handed Pitcher Fresh. 6-0 155 12 Ethan Estes Infield Fresh. 5-9 152 13 Jake Beck Catcher Fresh. 6-0 172 17 Josh Drake Right-handed Pitcher Fresh. 6-2 225 18 Jonathan Morrison Right-handed Pitcher Fresh. 6-0 192 19 Blake Littlejohn Catcher Soph. 6-2 191 20 Will Robertson Outfield Fresh. 5-10 201 21 Dillon Payne Left-handed Pitcher Fresh. 5-11 199 22 Dalton Sims Outfield Fresh. 6-0 198 23 Taylor Bonifacio Outfield Soph. 5-10 205 24 Eric Wilson Left-handed Pitcher Soph. 5-10 154 26 Corey Smith Catcher Soph. 5-9 175 27 Morgan McCarley Right-handed Pitcher Soph. 5-10 156 29 Tyler Beaty Right-handed Pitcher Fresh. 6-2 167 30 Blake Frazier Catcher Fresh. 5-11 177 31 Tyler Nelson Right-handed Pitcher Fresh. 5-11 155 32 Tyler Basil Right-handed Pitcher Fresh. 6-0 184 33 Chris Aichinger Right-handed Pitcher Fresh. 6-4 167 34 Daymon Eriksen Right-handed Pitcher Soph. 6-4 204 35 Sawyer Wheatley Infield Soph. 6-1 217 36 Justin Neal Outfield Fresh. 5-10 154 Kent Farris, Head Coach Rich Harrelson, Assistant Coach Stuart York, Student Assistant Jacob Prather, Student Manager
Bats/Throws R/R L/R R/R R/R R/L R/R R/R L/L R/R R/R R/R L/R R/R R/R R/R R/R L/L R/R L/R L/L L/R R/R R/R R/R R/R R/R R/R R/R R/R L/R
Northeast Mississippi Community College
High School
New Albany Hernando Saltillo Booneville North Pontotoc Booneville Lafayette Co. Oxford Myrtle Booneville Biggersville Alcorn Central Hopkinsville (Ky.) Ripley Pontotoc Falkner Saltillo DeSoto Central East Central Southaven New Albany Vina (Ala.) New Albany Corinth Baldwyn New Albany Milton (Ga.) Collierville (Tenn.) New Albany Southaven
15
Northeast
Sports
2011-12 Tiger Baseball Team
16
No. 1 Drew Wray Infielder Freshman New Albany HS
No. 2 Trae Allison Infielder Sophomore Hernando HS
No. 3 Drew Chisholm Infielder Sophomore Saltillo HS
No. 4 Tre Welch Outfielder Freshman Booneville HS
No. 5 Kyle Robbins Left-Handed Pitcher Freshman North Pontotoc HS
No. 6 Drew Cristo Infielder Sophomore Booneville HS
No.7 Josh Mills Infielder Freshman Lafayette County HS
No. 8 Hunt Halford Left-Handed Pitcher Freshman Oxford HS
No. 10 Beau Cummings Right-Handed Pitcher Sophomore Myrtle HS
No. 11 Kyle Stephenson Right-Handed Pitcher Freshman Booneville HS
No. 12 Ethan Estes Infielder Freshman Biggersville HS
No. 13 Jake Beck Catcher Freshman Alcorn Central HS
Northeast Mississippi Community College
Northeast
Sports
2011-12 Tiger Baseball Team No. 17 Josh Drake Right-Handed Pitcher Freshman Hopkinsville (Ky) HS
No. 18 Jonathan Morrison Right-Handed Pitcher Freshman Ripley HS
No. 19 Blake Littlejohn Catcher Sophomore Pontotoc HS
No. 20 Will Robertson Outfielder Freshman Falkner HS
No. 21 Dillon Payne Left-Handed Pitcher Freshman Saltillo HS
No. 22 Dalton Sims Outfielder Freshman DeSoto Central HS
No. 23 Taylor Bonifacio Outfielder Sophomore East Central HS
No. 24 Eric Wilson Left-Handed Pitcher Sophomore Southaven HS
No. 26 Corey Smith Catcher Sophomore New Albany HS
No. 27 Morgan McCarley Right-Handed Pitcher Sophomore Vina (Ala.) HS
No. 29 Tyler Beaty Right-Handed Pitcher Freshman New Albany HS
No. 30 Blake Frazier Catcher Freshman Corinth HS
Northeast Mississippi Community College
17
Northeast
Sports
2011-12 Tiger Baseball Team No. 31 Tyler Nelson Right-Handed Pitcher Freshman Baldwyn HS
No. 32 Tyler Basil Right-Handed Pitcher Freshman New Albany HS
No. 33 Chris Aichinger Right-Handed Pitcher Freshman Milton (Ga) HS
No. 34 Daymon Eriksen Right-Handed Pitcher Sophomore Collierville (Tenn.) HS
No. 35 Sawyer Wheatley Infielder Sophomore New Albany HS
No. 36 Justin Neal Outfielder Freshman Southaven
Commuter Meal Tickets Whenever hunger strikes... 10 meals for $50, 20 meals for $98 or 30 meals for $145.50
18
Northeast Mississippi Community College
Northeast
Sports
2011-12 Diamond Girls
Name
Anna Bass Tiffany Blake Anna Brooke Conlee Taylor Cotton Liz Davis Chelsey Hall Hannah Jamieson Kaitlin Kendrick Molly Koon Lindsay Long Argerie Marin Devin McCalla Nikki McDonald Lakin Potts Carlee Puckett Marlana Ray Sallie Richardson Molly Rowland Tiffanie Settlemires Karrie Beth Stevens Lauren Stevens Emily Thomas Devin Tucker Savannah Wilbanks Paige Witt
Class
Freshman Sophomore Sophomore Sophomore Sophomore Freshman Sophomore Sophomore Freshman Freshman Freshman Freshman Sophomore Freshman Sophomore Freshman Sophomore Sophomore Sophomore Sophomore Sophomore Sophomore Freshman Sophomore Freshman
Northeast Mississippi Community College
Hometown
Corinth New Albany New Albany Bruce Ripley Kossuth Booneville Booneville Wheeler Olive Branch Olive Branch Kossuth Alcorn Central Ingomar Tish County Corinth Olive Branch Booneville Glen Booneville Hamilton Booneville Baldwyn Pine Grove New Albany 19
Northeast
Sports
2011-12 Diamond Girls
20
Anna Bass Freshman Corinth
Tiffany Blake Sophomore New Albany
Anna Brooke Conlee Sophomore New Albany
Taylor Cotten Sophomore Bruce
Liz Davis Sophomore Ripley
Chelsey Hall Freshman Kossuth
Hannah Jamieson Sophomore Booneville
Kaitlin Kendrick Sophomore Booneville
Molly Koon Freshman Wheeler
Lindsay Long Freshman Olive Branch
Argerie Marin Freshman Olive Branch
Devin McCalla Freshman Kossuth
Nikki McDonald Sophomore Alcorn Central
Lakin Potts Freshman Ingomar
Northeast Mississippi Community College
Northeast
Sports
2011-12 Diamond Girls Carlee Puckett Sophomore Tishomingo County
Marlana Ray Freshman Corinth
Sallie Richardson Sophomore Olive Branch
Molly Rowland Sophomore Booneville
Tiffanie Settlemires Sophomore Glen
Karrie Beth Stevens Sophomore Booneville
Lauren Stevens Sophomore Hamilton
Emily Thomas Sophomore Booneville
Devin Tucker Freshmen Baldwyn
Paige Witt Freshman New Albany
Susan Cristo Sponsor Booneville
Northeast Mississippi Community College
21
Northeast
Sports
2011-12 Lady Tiger Softball Schedule
Date
Opponent
Site
Time
SEPTEMBER Saturday, September 17 Family Potluck# Saturday, September 24 Fall Classic#
Booneville Senatobia
9:30 a.m. TBA
OCTOBER Sunday, October 9 Saturday, October 15 October 17-22
Fall Alumni Game# NEMCC Fall Classic# Black and Gold Series#
Booneville Booneville Booneville
1:30 p.m. TBA TBA
FEBRUARY Thursday, February 9 February 17-18 February 24-25
Calhoun (Ala.) (2) Rush Tournament Tiger-Fest
MARCH Thursday, March 1 Saturday, March 3 Tuesday, March 6 Friday, March 9 Wednesday, March 14 Saturday, March 17 Wednesday, March 21 Saturday, March 24 Tuesday, March 27 Friday, March 30
Coahoma* (2) East Mississippi* (2) Holmes* (2) Itawamba* (2) Southwest Tenn. (2) Jackson State (Tenn.) (2) Northwest* (2) Mississippi Delta* (2) Calhoun (Ala.) (2) Coahoma* (2)
APRIL Monday, April 2 Wednesday, April 4 Tuesday, April 10 Saturday, April 14 Tuesday, April 17 Monday, April 23 April 26-27
East Mississippi* (2) Holmes* (2) Itawamba* (2) Northwest* (2) Mississippi Delta* (2) Jackson State (Tenn.) (2) MACJC State Tournament
Decatur, Ala. Meridian Booneville
1 p.m. TBA TBA
Clarksdale Booneville Booneville Fulton Memphis, Tenn. Jackson, Tenn. Booneville Moorhead Booneville Booneville
1 p.m. Noon 3 p.m. 2 p.m. 2 p.m. 1 p.m. 2 p.m. Noon 1 p.m. 2 p.m.
Scooba Goodman Booneville Senatobia Booneville Booneville North Champ
3 p.m. 3 p.m. 3 p.m. Noon 3 p.m. 3 p.m. TBA
MAY May 3-5 Region XXIII Tournament Clinton TBA May 16-20 NJCAA National Tournament Clinton TBA * Denotes North Division Games # Denotes Exhibition Games Bold denotes Home Games All Home Games are played at Booneville City Park 22
Northeast Mississippi Community College
Northeast
Sports
2011-12 Lady Tiger Softball
No. 1 2 3 5 6 7 9 10 11 12 13 15 17 18 20 21 22 23
Name Raleigh Downs Kimberly Jumper Hannah Hastings Nicki Whitten Claire Wilkerson Erin Dixson Jaisa Fox Kelsie Follin Andrea Cutts Jazmin Smith Haley Knepp Katie Beth Dahlem Ellen Tarrant Madeline Hickman Jessica Pannell Brittany Minton Leeanna Nelms Kristen Claunch
Position Second Base Outfield First Base Shortstop Outfield Pitcher Pitcher First Base Catcher Utility Utility Catcher Third Base Outfield Outfield First Base Second Base Pitcher
Classification Sophomore Sophomore Sophomore Sophomore Sophomore Freshman Sophomore Sophomore Freshman Sophomore Sophomore Sophomore Freshman Sophomore Freshman Sophomore Freshman Freshman
Northeast Mississippi Community College
Hometown Booneville Etta Booneville Booneville Myrtle Amherst, NY Cincinnati, Ohio Kossuth Ackerman Anchorage, AK Kossuth Hamilton New Albany Booneville Booneville Horn Lake Kossuth Cherokee, Ala. 23
Northeast
Sports
2011-12 Lady Tiger Softball
24
No. 1 Raleigh Downs Second Base Sophomore Booneville
No. 2 Kimberly Jumper Outfielder Sophomore Etta
No. 3 Hannah Hastings First Base Sophomore Booneville
No. 5 Nicki Whitten Shortstop Sophomore Booneville
No. 6 Claire Wilkerson Outfielder Sophomore Myrtle
No. 7 Erin Dixson Pitcher Freshman Amherst, NY
No. 9 Jaisa Fox Pitcher Sophomore Cincinnati, Ohio
No. 10 Kelsie Follin First Base Sophomore Kossuth
No. 11 Andrea Cutts Catcher Freshman Ackerman
No. 12 Jazmin Smith Utility Sophomore Anchorage, AK
Northeast Mississippi Community College
Northeast
Sports
2011-12 Lady Tiger Softball No. 13 Haley Knepp Utility Sophomore Kossuth
No. 15 Katie Beth Dahlem Catcher Sophomore Hamilton
No. 17 Ellen Tarrant Third Base Freshman New Albany
No. 18 Madeline Hickman Outfielder Sophomore Booneville
No. 20 Jessica Pannell Outfielder Freshman Booneville
No. 21 Brittany Minton First Base Sophomore Horn Lake
No. 22 Leeanna Nelms Second Base Freshman Kossuth
No. 23 Kristen Claunch Pitcher Freshman Cherokee, Ala.
Northeast Mississippi Community College
25
Northeast
Sports
2011-12 Northeast Tennis Schedule
Date
Opponent
Site
Time
FEBRUARY Thursday, February 16
Copiah-Lincoln
Wesson
2 p.m.
Friday, February 17
Hinds
Jackson
2 p.m.
Saturday, February 18
Holmes
Goodman
Noon
Friday, February 24
East Central
Booneville
1 p.m.
Booneville
10 a.m.
Itawamba
Fulton
2 p.m.
Monday, March 5
Meridian
Meridian
10 a.m.
East Central
Meridian
2 p.m.
Wednesday, March 21
Bethel College
Booneville
1 p.m.
Friday, March 23
Jones County
Booneville
1 p.m.
Monday, March 26
Itawamba
Booneville
2 p.m.
Friday, March 30
Holmes
Booneville
10 a.m.
Marion Military Institute
Booneville
2 p.m.
April 19-21
MACJC State Tournament
Tupelo
TBA
April 25-26
NJCAA Regionals
TBA
TBA
Saturday, February 25 Gulf Coast Tuesday, February 28 MARCH
APRIL
BOLD Denotes Home Matches All home tennis matches are played at the Northeast Tennis Courts adjacent to the Haney Union 26
Northeast Mississippi Community College
Northeast
Sports
2011-12 Northeast Tennis
Name Taylor Dees Andrew Ferrell Drew Gann Brandon Gardner Joshua Heylin Ben Nhek Duncan Schaefer Preston Wade
2011-12 Tiger Tennis Class Sophomore Freshman Freshman Sophomore Sophomore Sophomore Sophomore Sophomore
Hometown Booneville Corinth Corinth Corinth Booneville Corinth Ripley Jacks Creek, TN
Class Sophomore Freshman Sophomore Sophomore Sophomore Sophomore
Hometown Holly Springs Corinth Belmont Corinth Corinth Iuka
2011-12 Lady Tiger Tennis
Name Emily Burk Elizabeth Mitchell Leigh Ann Mock Monica Pruitt Amanda Rorie Marcey Ann Sykes
Northeast Mississippi Community College
27
Northeast
Sports
2011-12 Tiger Tennis
28
Taylor Dees Sophomore Booneville
Andrew Ferrell Freshman Corinth
Drew Gann Freshman Corinth
Brandon Gardner Sophomore Corinth
Joshua Heylin Sophomore Booneville
Ben Nhek Sophomore Corinth
Duncan Schaefer Sophomore Ripley
Preston Wade Sophomore Jacks Creek, Tenn.
Northeast Mississippi Community College
Northeast
Sports
2011-12 Lady Tiger Tennis
Emily Burk Sophomore Holly Springs
Elizabeth Mitchell Freshman Corinth
Leigh Ann Mock Sophomore Belmont
Monica Pruitt Sophomore Corinth
Amanda Rorie Sophomore Corinth
Marcey Ann Sykes Sophomore Iuka
Northeast Mississippi Community College
29
Northeast
Sports
2011-12 Northeast Golf Schedule
Date Tournament/Host School Course/Location FEBRUARY February 26-27 MACJC Event #1 The Oaks Golf Club MS Gulf Coast Pass Christian MARCH March 3-4 MACJC Event #2 Eagle Ridge Golf Club Hinds Raymond March 5-6 MACJC Event #3 Brookhaven Country Club Copiah-Linclon Wolf Hollow Golf Club March 25-26 MACJC Event #4 MSU Golf Course East Mississippi Starkville APRIL April 2-3 MACJC Event #5 North Creek/Horn Lake Northwest Wedgewood/Olive Branch April 16-17 MACJC State Championship Riverbirch Itawamba Amory April 22-23 NJCAA Region XXIII Championship Big Oaks Northeast Tupelo MAY May 20-25 NJCAA National Championship Swan Lake Resort May 20-21 Practice Indiana National Golf Club May 22-25 18-hole Rounds BOLD Denotes Home Matches
30
Northeast Mississippi Community College
Northeast
Sports
2011-12 Tiger Golf
Name
Class
Hometown
Easton Cartwright
Sophomore
Booneville
Blake Conlee
Sophomore
New Albany
Daren Farrar
Freshman
Thrasher
Ty Lindsey
Freshman
Baldwyn
Taylor Trimble
Sophomore
Thrasher
Jordan Wilson
Freshman
Baldwyn
Austin Woodard
Freshman
Muscle Shoals, Ala.
Northeast Mississippi Community College
31
Northeast
Sports
2011-12 Tiger Golf Easton Cartwright Sophomore Booneville
Blake Conlee Sophomore New Albany
Daren Farrar Freshman Thrasher
Ty Lindsey Freshman Baldwyn
Taylor Trimble Sophomore Thrasher
Jordan Wilson Freshman Baldwyn
Austin Woodard Freshman Muscle Shoals, Ala. 32
Northeast Mississippi Community College
Northeast
Sports
All-Americans Throughout the history of Northeast Mississippi Community College, superior athletes have been named to the All-American team, the highest honor bestowed upon any player. Recipients of this honor are chosen by the 23 regional directors of the National Junior College Athletic Association. Their selection for the All-American team, second team and honorable mention are made only after careful evaluation of the hundreds of nominations which are submitted by community/junior college coaches from across the country. We are proud to salute those who brought honor to themselves as young men and women and to Northeast Mississippi Community College for the time to come.
FOOTBALL
Jerry King - 1956 Running Back, All-American Chattanooga, TN
Larry Parker - 1977 Running Back, Honorable Mention Rogersville, AL
Paul Rhodes - 1980 Defensive Lineman, Second Team Kossuth
Johnny Buskirk - 1969 Quarterback, Honorable Mention New Albany
Barry Todd - 1977 Defensive Back, Second Team Memphis, TN
Anthony Norman - 1980 Running Back, Honorable Mention Morrow, GA
Donnie Clayton - 1969 Tight End, Honorable Mention Ripley
Maury Hill - 1979 Defensive Back, Second Team Ripley
Antonio Foster - 2010 Offensive Lineman, Honorable Mention Valdosta, GA
MEN’S BASKETBALL Gene Garrett - 1950 Guard, All American LaCenter, KY
Gaylon Baird - 1968 Forward, All American Myrtle
Dontae Jones - 1995 Forward, All American Nashville, TN
Ken Lindsey - 1951 Forward, All American Booneville
Maurice Stafford - 1982 Forward, Honorable Mention Biggersville
Tim Cole - 1998 Guard, All American Memphis, TN
Charles ‘Doodle’ Floyd - 1954 Forward, All American Water Valley, KY
Anthony Anderson - 1984 Guard, Second Team New Albany Anthony Gamble - 1989 Forward, All American Booneville
Eric Batchelor - 2000 Forward, All American Memphis, TN
Adrian ‘Odie’ Smith - 1956 Guard, All American Kirksey, KY Vince Del Negro - 1959 Forward, All American Springfield, MA
Clay Johnson -1989 Guard, All American Booneville
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
Qyntel Woods - 2002 Forward, All American Memphis, TN
BASEBALL Chase Porch - 2008 Designated Hitter, 3rd Team East Union
GOLF Craig Lauderdale - 1990 All American Booneville Chase Williams - 2007 All American Corinth Blake Hatfield - 2010 All American Booneville
SLOW-PITCH SOFTBALL Stephanie Stubblefield - 2000 Infielder, All American Ecru
FAST-PITCH SOFTBALL Lori Wilson - 2001 1st Base, All American Blue Mountain
Paige Wright - 2004 Shortstop, All American Southaven
Jessica Spain - 2002 Shortstop, All American NFCA Louisville Slugger Booneville
Staranna Fraizer - 2004 Outfielder, 3rd Team NFCA All American 2nd Team New Albany
Jocelyn McGolrick - 2003 NFCA All American
Shanika Randle - 2007 Outfielder, NFCA All American Houston
Jackie Perry - 1986 Forward, All American Jackson, TN
Tiffany Sitton - 1998 Forward, All American Glen
Kunshinge Sorrell - 1986 Point Guard, All American Booneville
Tamica Pierce - 2001 Forward, All American Decatur, GA
Sherry Slayton - 1987 Forward, All American Belmont
Marqueciqa Thomas - 2004 Forward, All American Jackson
Phyllis Stafford - 1987 Center, All American Biggersville
Jessica Hooker - 2006 Forward, All American Brownsville, TN
Charity Graham - 2003 NFCA All American 2nd Team
Evelyn Thompson - 1988 Forward, All American LaGrange, GA
Krystal Robinson - 2006 Forward, All American Covington, TN
Josie Lindgrin - 2004 Pitcher, NFCA 2nd Team British Columbia, Canada
Brandi Vondenstein - 2003 3rd Base, Honorable Mention NFCA All American 1st Team
Northeast Mississippi Community College
Kelly Hankins - 2007 Infielder, Distinguished Academic All American Mooreville Callie Weaver - 2008 Shortstop, NFCA 2nd Team Houston
33
Northeast
Sports
NE welcomes five into Sports Hall of Fame Northeast inducted five new members into its Sports Hall of Fame on Saturday, October 8. Joining the hallowed halls of the Sports Hall of Fame were (left-right) former Lady Tiger basketball coach and current Northeast Dean of Students and Athletic Director Ricky Ford, former Tiger football player Jim Drewry, former Lady Tiger basketball player Sherry Slayton-Holland and former Tiger football player Johnny Buskirk along with Northeast president Dr. Johnny L. Allen, Ed.D. Former Tiger basketball player Vincent Del Negro was also inducted along with Ford, Drewry, Slayton-Holland and Buskirk but was unable to attend the induction ceremony.
Northeast Mississippi Community College will induct five new members into its Sports Hall of Fame on Saturday, October 8 as part of the Homecoming 2011 festivities on the Booneville campus. Northeast alumni Ricky Ford, Jim Drewry, Johnny Buskirk, Vincent Del Negro and Sherry Slayton Holland will all be enshrined into the Northeast Sports Hall of Fame during a luncheon held at the Claude Wright Room inside the Haney Union on Saturday, October 8. Drewry and Buskirk are both former football players for the Tigers while Ford, Del Negro and Slayton starred on the hardwood for the Tigers and Lady Tigers. Ford, who guided the Lady Tiger basketball program for 30 years, also serves as athletic director and dean of student services for the college. A reception will be held in the Black and Gold Room on the first floor of the Haney Union at 11 a.m. before the induction luncheon at noon in the Claude Wright Room. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased by contacting the Northeast business office at 662-720-7251. Deadline to purchase tickets for the luncheon is September 23. Ford, Drewry, Buskirk, Del Negro and Slayton Holland join an illustrious cast of Sports Hall of Fame inductees. During the 2010 induction, former Tiger football and baseball player Mike Grier, former Tiger basketball player Jack Martin, former Lady Tiger basketball players Kunshinge Sorrell Howard and Phyllis Stafford Dilworth and former football and softball coach and athletic director David Carnell all became members of the Sports Hall of Fame. In its second year (2009), Northeast Sports Hall of Fame inducted five members to join the initial 10 inductees with former basketball players Gerald Caveness, Clyde Jones, Evelyn Thompson, and football player Larry Parker along with former Tiger basketball coach Harvey Childers all inducted during the second year. Northeast’s inaugural inductees of ten former coaches, players and supporters of Northeast Mississippi Community College athletics included Harold T. White, W.B. ‘Bill’ Ward, Ken Lindsey, Chuck ‘Doodle’ Floyd, Gene Garret, Adrian Smith, Kenneth ‘Cat’ Robbins, David ‘Nub’ Strickland, Earline ‘Woodsie’ Woods and Bonner Arnold. Jim Drewry (Tiger Football 1950-51) 34
Jim Drewry led Northeast to its first two winning seasons as the Tiger quarterback on the 1950 and 1951 seasons. In 1950, Drewry helped lead a Doug Hamley squad to a 6-2-2 mark and the Mississippi Conference Valley Championship with a 32-14 win over Sunflower Junior College. During his time as the Tiger quarterback, Drewry guided Northeast to a 11-6-3 overall record that included back-to-back wins over Northwest Mississippi Community College (31-0 in 1950 and 34-7 in 1951) and Northeast’s 47 points against UT-College in 1951 still ranks as the sixth highest point total in school history and as the fourth highest winning margin for Northeast in its 52-year football history. Following his time at Northeast, Drewry went on to play at Delta State University but it was his time on the sidelines at Kossuth, Booneville and Tishomingo high schools that Drewry made a name for himself. However, it was his time at Delta State that Drewry got his first taste of being a coach and helped guide the 1954 Statesmen football team to an undefeated record and a national championship as part of E.B. Chadwick’s coaching staff as a student assistant. Drewry began his coaching career at Kossuth in 1958 and spent two seasons as the Aggies head man before moving to Brandon as an assistant coach in 1960. Drewry returned home in 1965 and began his first stint as Booneville’s head coach leading the Blue Devils to three bowl games and a Tombigbee Conference co-championship in 1977 before leaving for his second stint at Kossuth from 1979-86. After retiring to sell insurance in 1987-88, Drewry returned to the sidelines at now defunct Tishomingo High School in 1989 before returning to the Blue Devils in 1990 and guiding Booneville until his retirement in spring 2010. During his second stint with Booneville, Drewry saw most of his success leading the Blue Devils to three state championships and four state runnerup finishes. Drewry carried his work ethic into his final year as Booneville head coach where in his 50th season as a head coach, the former Northeast signal caller directed his team to a 13-1 record (starting out 13-0) and appearance in the Class 3A state semifinals. In the spring 2010, Drewry finally hung up his coaching whistle at the
Northeast Mississippi Community College
Northeast age of 79 and with over 50 years in the football. Drewry, who had retired one time before after the 1987 season, ended his coaching career as Mississippi’s all-time winningest football coach, passing Joe Bradshaw in the fall of 2009 with a 59-6 win over S.V. Marshall in the first round of the Class 3A state football playoffs. Drewry finished his career with a 346-157-5 record in head coaching stops at Booneville, Kossuth and Tishomingo where his teams made the state playoffs 17 times and brought home the Class 2A state championship trophy in 1990, 1999 and 2000. Drewry has been the recipient of many awards and honors and was named the 2009 Power of Influence Award recipient by the American Football Coaches Association. In addition to the 2009 Power of Influence Award, Drewry has also been inducted into the National Federation of State High School Associations Hall of Fame and the Mississippi Association of Coaches Hall of Fame. In 2000, he was inducted into the Delta State University Alumni Coaches Hall of Fame and was named the Tombigbee Coach of the Year in 1967, 1969, 1978 along with being the District 1 Coach of the Year in 1985. Drewry has also been honored as the Division 1-3A Coach of the Year in 1986, the Daily Corinthian Coach of the Year in 1993, 1997 and 1999 along with the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal Coach of the Year in 1999 and the Class 2A Coach of the Year in 1999 and 2000. In 2003, Drewry was named All-American Football Foundation’s Gerald R. Ford All-American High School Coach of the Year, and in 2005, he was the first Mississippi recipient of the NSSA-USA Football Champions Award. Drewry has also had the honor of having a street named after him in the city of Booneville. Currently, Drewry sits on an advisory board for the American Football Coaches Association and has been figured in a trio of books about football in the state of Mississippi — Gridiron Gold, Gridiron Glory (which featured the Northeast alumni on the cover) and Y’all vs. Us showcasing the rivalry between Booneville and Baldwyn. Johnny Buskirk (Tiger Football 1968-69) Johnny Buskirk’s career at Northeast started off a new era of Tiger football. Buskirk championed the Northeast football team during the first two seasons after coming off an 11-year hiatus from 1957-67 and led Northeast to an 11-7 record during that time. During his freshman year at Northeast, Buskirk was named the most outstanding player averaging nearly 270 yards per game running and passing and was nationally ranked for his offensive talents. Buskirk’s sophomore season saw the Tiger signal caller bring the most success to Northeast’s football program since Horace McCool coached the team to a 10-1 mark in 1956. Buskirk led Northeast to a 7-2 mark his sophomore year and more importantly was the Tiger Award recipient for that year and was named the most outstanding back in Mississippi inside the junior college ranks. Buskirk is one of only a handful of football players to end his Northeast career on a four-game win streak. During the 1969 season, Buskirk capped his sophomore season with wins over Northwest, Copiah-Lincoln, a close 20-18 decision over Itawamba and a season-ending win over Perkinston. Under Coach Bill Ward’s guidance, Buskirk was one of two National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) All-Americans produced by Northeast in 1969. Joining Buskirk on the All-American team was tight end Donnie Clayton. In 1969, Buskirk led the Northeast to a 7-2 mark and in both his freshman and sophomore years, the former Tiger signal caller led Northeast to high offensive outputs. In 1968, Northeast put up 48 points against Itawamba and then turned the trick again in 1969 with a 48-14 showing against East Central. The 48-point performance ranks fifth in school history for points scored and sits just one touchdown and extra point away from the top mark. Following his time at Northeast, Buskirk took his skills to Mississippi College where he was a quarterback, running back and kick returner. Buskirk’s talents helped him set a record at Mississippi College that holds to today – his six kickoff returns against Furman College in 1970 are still listed in the Mississippi College record book.
Sports Following his time at Mississippi College, Buskirk entered the coaching ranks and was named the Tippamingo Conference Coach of the Year in 1974. Vincent Del Negro (Tiger Basketball 1958-59, 1959-60) Vincent Del Negro would have made Dominque Wilkins jealous as the “Human Highlight Reel” in the late 1950s. In his first six games as a freshman on Bonner Arnold’s Tiger basketball team, Del Negro broke out for 172 points – a 34.4 points per game average – and never looked back. During his freshman season in 1958-59, Del Negro helped lead the Tiger basketball team to the North Half Tournament and a 9-3 mark during North Division play before becoming an unanimous selection for the AllState Team. In his first six games with the Tigers, Del Negro dropped 32, 32, 32, 34, 39 and 42 points – the latter two coming in a 109-85 win over Memphis State and a 96-95 decision over East Mississippi in Scooba. During the 1959-60 season, Northeast made an improvement on its 12-12 record of Del Negro’s freshman campaign with a 15-12 mark that included wins over Freed-Hardeman and nationally ranked Vincennes (Ind.) 62-61. In the one-point win over Vincennes, Del Negro let fellow Tiger captain Bobby McCarley knock down the last shot – a 23-foot jumper – but the 6-5 center had the final say, when Del Negro pulled down the game-ending rebound to seal the victory. While scoring just 16 points against Freed-Hardeman in their first meeting, Del Negro made up for lost time with a 45-point effort against FreedHardeman in an 83-69 win and turned the trick once again with a 45-point night against East Mississippi in a 100-74 showing. Del Negro’s biggest night came in a 46-point effort against Sunflower. Del Negro was also popular with the student population as evident from him being voted Most Athletic on the Northeast campus during his sophomore year. McCarley and Del Negro were also selected to play in the national allstar game together in Coffeyville, Kansas at the culmination of his sophomore season. During his second season in Booneville, Del Negro led the nation with a 33.4 points per game average while racking up 1,022 points and was named a first-team All-American. Del Negro helped lead Northeast to the North Half championship his sophomore season as the Tigers finished as runner-ups in the state. Del Negro was an all-around athlete. During regular season play, the 6-5 center average 33.024 points per game, in North Half play 34 points per game and in the State Tournament 31.5 points per game. In his two seasons at Northeast, Del Negro average 32.6 points per game as a freshman and 33.4 points per game as a sophomore. Following his time in Booneville, Del Negro played for legendary coach Adolph Rupp at the University of Kentucky after signing a grant-in-aid scholarship with the program following his appearance in the national allstar game. Sherry Slayton Holland (Lady Tiger Basketball 1985-86, 1986-87) Sherry Slayton Holland made an immediate impact on the Northeast basketball scene when she joined Ricky Ford’s Lady Tigers during the 1985-86 and 1986-87 seasons. Alongside Phyllis Stafford for two years and Kunshinge Sorrell Howard her first year, Slayton helped guide the Lady Tigers to the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) national tournament in both her years in Booneville. During her freshman season, Slayton and the Lady Tigers dropped only one game all season and posted a 31-0 record heading into the national championship game against Odessa, Texas in 1986. Slayton bested her freshman year one season later when the Lady Tigers went undefeated -- 34-0 -- en route to the 1987 national championship. During her two years at Northeast, Slayton amassed a 65-1 record on the hardwood and was named to the MACJC All-State and NJCAA Region XXIII teams both years at Northeast. Northeast swept through the regular season during Slayton’s sophomore year undefeated and knocked off Northwest Mississippi Community College
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80-78 for the MACJC State Championship and then swept through the Region XXIII tournament before heading to Senatobia for the NJCAA National Women’s Basketball Tournament. Northeast made good on its return trip as the Lady Tigers won four straight games in the Division I women’s national tournament -- including the national championship game when Northeast upended St. Gregory’s in the national championship game 68-64. It was during the 1986-87 National Tournament that Slayton made a name for herself on the hardwood and was named the Most Valuable Player for the tournament. During her sophomore season, Slayton led the Lady Tigers in steals per game and assists per game with 3.8 and 6.6 per game, respectively. Northeast’s undefeated season also saw Slayton piece together a 14.2 points per game average. In her two years at Northeast, Northeast captured two North Division championships, two state championships, two Region XXIII championships, back-to-back Tyler, Texas Invitational Championships, a national runner-up finish and a national championship. Following her sophomore season, Slayton was named an NJCAA AllAmerican alongside Lady Tiger Phyllis Stafford. Following her time at Northeast, Slayton took her talents to the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) where she was joined by a pair of former Lady Tigers – Phyllis Stafford and Jackie Martin. Ricky Ford (Lady Tiger Basketball 1981-2011, Athletic Director 2006-Present) Former Northeast Mississippi Community College women’s basketball coach Ricky Ford left his “built Ford tough” mark on many Lady Tiger teams since coming to Northeast in 1981. On March 7, 2011 Ford announced he was stepping down as women’s basketball coach at Northeast. Ford ended his career at Northeast with an overall record of 588-226. During his 30-year coaching career, Ford only had four sub-.500 seasons and the first of those did not come until his 2002-03 Lady Tigers finished 11-12 but even it finished as the North Division runner-up. Within five years since taking over the Lady Tiger program in 1981, Ford had transformed the Lady Tigers into national title contenders that included
a national runner-up finish in 1986 and a national championship in 1987. During Ford’s illustrious career, the Lady Tiger basketball coach led his team to 15 North Division titles, nine MACJC State Championships with 6 (six) of those state championships being consecutive and three Region XXIII crowns while leading the Lady Tigers to the National Junior College Athletic Association’s (NJCAA) national basketball tournament on three separate occasions. Ford went to the national tournament a final time in 2005-06 as the Lady Tigers captured the North Division, MACJC State and Region XXIII titles and finished the season as the nation’s No. 21-ranked team after appearing in the national event in Salina, Kan. Following his final national tournament appearance, Ford was honored as the Division I, District O, Region XXIII Coach of the Year - an award that is given to the head coach of each of the 16 regional championship teams. One year after his national tournament appearance, Ford continued his success in the MACJC as the veteran mentor led the Lady tigers back to the Region XXIII tournament for a twenty-fifth straight year as the Lady Tigers once again captured the North Division - their fourth straight division title and successfully defended their 2006 MACJC State Title. While Ford may hung up his coaching whistle, the veteran coach still has plans to carry that same passion he showed on the basketball court into the academic life. Ford was appointed Dean of Student Services at the beginning of the 2011 spring semester following the retirement of Kenneth Pounders, and is currently in his sixth year as athletic director for the college. His responsibilities as athletic director has Ford overseeing the day-today operations of an athletic department that features eight varsity sports, an all-female cheerleading squad and also coordinates the annual MACJC AllStar Football Classic game that is held each year in December. Prior to coming to Northeast, Ford built successful basketball programs at Booneville High School coaching the Lady Blue Devils for four years and the Blue Devils for a pair of seasons. Ford’s overall career record stands at 676-253 and carries a winning percentage of 72.7 percent into retirement. Before putting on the coaching whistle, Ford also played basketball under Northeast Sports Hall of Fame coach/basketball player Kenneth Lindsey.
Sports Hall of Fame Inductees Northeast Sports Hall of Fame 2008
David ‘Nub’ Strickland, Football W.B. “Bill” Ward, Football coach/Athletic Director Kenneth “Cat” Robbins, Basketball Coach Kenneth Lindsey, Men’s Basketball Chuck “Doodle” Floyd, Men’s Basketball Gene Garrett, Men’s Basketball Adrian Smith, Men’s Basketball Bonner Arnold, Basketball Coach/Athletic Director Harold T. White, Football/College President Earline “Woodsie” Woods, Supporter
2009
Harvey Childers, Men’s Basketball Coach Gerald Caveness, Men’s Basketball Clyde Jones, Men’s Basketball 36
Larry Parker, Football Evelyn Thompson, Women’s Basketball
2010
Michael Grier, Football Kunshigne Sorrell Howard, Women’s Basketball Phyllis Stafford Dilworth, Women’s Basketball Jack Martin, Men’s Basketball David Carnell, Sr., Softball Coach/Athletic Director
2011
Ricky Ford, Women’s Basketball Coach/Athletic Dir. Jim Drewry, Football Johnny Buskirk, Football Vincent Del Negro, Men’s Basketball Sherry Slayton, Women’s Basketball
MACJC Sports Hall of Fame 2011
Kunshigne Sorrell Howard, Women’s Basketball
2010
David “Nub” Strickland, Football
2009
Harvey Childers, Men’s Basketball Coach
2008
Kenneth Lindsey, Men’s Basketball Harold T. White, Football/College President
2007
Adrian Smith, Men’s Basketball Bonner Arnold, Basketball Coach/Athletic Director W.B. “Bill” Ward, Football Coach/Athletic Director
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Athletics brought hope in 2010-11 Throughout the 2010-11 academic year, the Northeast athletic department continued to bring praise to the college. Whether it was on the gridiron, hardwood, diamond, tennis courts or the golf course, Northeast athletics continued to excel inside and outside of the classroom. Ricky Smither’s Tiger football team posted the twelfth winning season in the college’s 51-year football history when Smither’s troops finished with a 5-4 overall record and a 4-2 mark in the Mississippi Association of Community/Junior Colleges (MACJC) North Division in 2010. Northeast’s 4-2 mark in the North Division helped the Tigers finish in a tie for second place in the ultra competitive North Division. Northeast garnered national attention during week six of the season after the Tigers were able to knock off defending MACJC State Champion East Mississippi 49-42 in a shootout in Scooba where Tiger running back Jaquise Cook (Ripley) Ran for 267 yards and four scores against the Lions. Cook was awarded the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Player of the Week honors following his week six performance. In addition to posting the team’s first winning season since 2005, the Tiger football team also captured the attention of the national media when Northeast was included in the NJCAA National Top 20 Football Poll for the week of October 19, 2010 at No. 18 after the Tigers opened up the season 5-2. Not to be outdone, five different Tigers were honored by the MACJC with All-State status with wide receiver Josh Jarboe (Atlanta, Ga.), defensive back Brynden Trawick (Atlanta, Ga.), linebacker Anthony Brown (Cairo, Ga.), defensive back Jeremy Spikner (Olive Branch) and offensive lineman Antonio Foster (Valdosta, Ga.) all being selected to the All-State squad. Foster continued to represent the Tigers on the NJCAA Region XXIII squad and became the first Tiger football player to garner All-American status in 30 years when the Valdosta, Georgia native was selected as an honorable mention All-American. On the hardwood, David Robbins led the Tiger basketball team to appearances in the MACJC State Tournament and the NJCAA Region XXIII Tournament after finishing as the North Division runner-up with a 7-5 mark in the North Division and an 11-14 mark overall. The Tigers found the same opponent awaiting them in both the state and region tournaments – 19th-ranked Pearl River Community College – and the Tigers gave the Wildcats a run in the state tournament before falling in overtime 92-83. Due to his effort on the court, sophomore point guard Tyler Pritchard (Iuka) was honored as a NJCAA Region XXIII selection after his 19-point effort against Pearl River in the Region XXIII Tournament and the Northeast sophomore was selected to play in the MACJC All-Star Basketball Game in Decatur following the season. In women’s basketball, Ricky Ford’s longtime run as Lady Tiger head coach came to an end after 30 years when Ford stepped down following the Lady Tigers appearance in the post-season. Ford helped lead the Lady tigers to a fourth place finish in the North Division (6-6) and faced off with the MACJC 2010-11 state champion and state tournament host Copiah-Lincoln Community College in the first round of the state tournament. After posting a 11-12 overall mark, the Lady Tigers had a pair of individuals selected for the MACJC All-North Division second team as Erin Strowder (Memphis, Tenn.) and Anna Brooke Page (Belmont) garnered individual honors. Sophomore point guard Amber Johnson (Pine Grove) was selected to play in the MACJC All-Star Basketball Game in Decatur following the season. Ford wrapped up his 30-year coaching career at Northeast with a 588226 collegiate record and carries a 72.7 winning percentage overall with
a 676-253 record. On the tennis courts, Jeff Melson continued to transform the Tiger and Lady Tiger tennis teams into state and national contenders. During the 2010 MACJC state tournament, Northeast saw its whirlwind season come to an end as the Tigers placed four matches into the semi-finals of the state tournaments and the Lady Tigers had two matches reach semi-final status with Chelsey Whitaker (Alcorn Central) reaching the finals of the state tournament. Led by sophomores Ward Bynum, Colin Holley, Ben Ferrell, Ben Ford and Matt Murphy, the Tiger team had one of its most successful season in recent history and finished the year ranked in the top 30 by the International Tennis Association (ITA) at the end of the season. On the links, Craig Lauderdale continued to keep the Northeast Tiger golf team in the national spotlight as Austin Holt (New Albany) continued Northeast’s streak of national tournament appearances when the Tiger sophomore qualified for the NJCAA National Golf Championships at Goosepond Colony Golf Course in Scottsboro, Ala., in May. In 2010, a pair of Tiger linksters – Blake Hatfield (Booneville) and Brandon Robbins (Corinth) – qualified for the national event while Hatfield made a solo appearance in Northeast’s first year back in Division II competition in 2009. During the 2007 and 2008 season, Northeast went undefeated through the Mississippi Association of Community/Junior Colleges (MACJC) Division III ranks and captured the Region XXIII crown and appeared in the NJCAA Division III National Golf Championship in Jamestown, NY. Holt rallied back on the final day of the four-day national event to finish in a tie for 57th overall with a four-day 305. On the softball diamond, Jody Long’s Lady Tigers returned to the 2010-11 MACJC State Tournament in Perkinston and gave host Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College a run in the first round of the tournament before seeing their season come to an end. Northeast finished a 25-23 record on the softball diamond and the program sits just one win shy of the 300-win plateau since switching over to fast-pitch competition in 2011. In 11seasons, Northeast is 299-232 and has a 137-56 record in the North Divisionheading into the 2012 campaign. With its 25 wins during the 2010-11 season, Northeast recorded its most wins since the 2008 Lady Tiger softball team pieced together a 3420 mark en route to a North Division championship. On the baseball diamond, Kent Farris’ club finished the year with a 22-20 mark and was 12-12 in the North Division and came away with a season split against rival Itawamba Community College claiming a 4-2 victory in Fulton and 6-1 decision against the Indians in Booneville on April 13. Corey Smith of New Albany and Jacob Long of Vardaman were named to the MACJC All-State first team while Trae Allison of Hernando and Will Wallis of Ripley were named to the All-State second team. Jordan Gurley of Corinth was awarded with a National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) All-Region XXIII golden glove selection at third base. Northeast’s cheerleaders made the successful transition from a co-ed squad in the 2009-10 season to a squad of 10 during the 2010-11 year under the leadership of cheerleading coach Jennifer Johnson.
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A proud sponsor of Northeast Mississippi Community College Athletics. Go Lady Tigers and Tigers! Northeast Mississippi Community College’s Sudexo cafeteria staff invites the public to stop in for breakfast, lunch, or dinner Monday-Friday Breakfast 7-9 a.m. Lunch 10:45 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Dinner 4:30-6 p.m. Sunday lunch buffet open to the public every Sunday from 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Don’t forget to call for your catering needs 662-720-7260 Northeast Mississippi Community College
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Quick Facts about Northeast Athletics Location........................................................................................................................................................Booneville, MS Founded.........................................................................................................................................................................1948 President..........................................................................................................................Dr. Johnny L. Allen, Ed.D.(7226) jlallen@nemcc.edu Athletic Director......................................................................................................................................Ricky Ford (7302) rgford@nemcc.edu Sports Information Director.........................................................................................................M. Joseph Miller (7300) mjmiller@nemcc.edu Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist...................................................................................... Bo Ricks (7286) rcricks@nemcc.edu Head Football Coach.........................................................................................................................Ricky Smither (7890) resmither@nemcc.edu Asst. Football Coaches...................................Travis Macon (7587), Deljuan Robinson (7351), Jonathan Webster (7575) ttmacon@nemcc.edu; dcrobinson@nemcc.edu; jjwebster@nemcc.edu Head Men’s Basketball Coach.........................................................................................................David Robbins (7241) wdrobbins@nemcc.edu Head Women’s Basketball Coach.................................................................................................Brian Alexander (7887) bcalexander@nemcc.edu Asst. Basketball Coach..................................................................................................................Maurice Stafford (7161) mdstafford@nemcc.edu Nick Coln (7241) Head Baseball Coach..............................................................................................................................Kent Farris (7309) wkfarris@nemcc.edu Assistant Baseball Coach...............................................................................................................Richy Harrelson (7344) rwharrelson@nemcc.edu Head Softball Coach................................................................................................................................Jody Long (7305) jwlong@nemcc.edu Asst. Softball Coach.............................................................................................................................Evan Pounds (7218) elpounds@nemcc.edu Golf Coach.................................................................................................................................Mike Anderson (416-1929) msanderson@nemcc.edu Tennis Coach................................................................................................................................Lynn Smither (365-2118) losmither@nemcc.edu Cheerleading Coach...............................................................................................................Jennifer Johnson (416-2221) netigercheercoach@gmail.com Athletic Phone..............................................................................................................................................(662) 720-7302 Athletic Office Fax.......................................................................................................................................(662) 728-1165 Football Stadium...........................................................................................................................................Tiger Stadium Basketball Arena..........................................................................................................................Bonner Arnold Coliseum Baseball Field...................................................................................Harold T. White Field/Booneville Westside City Park Softball Field............................................................................................................Field 1/Booneville Westside City Park Golf Home Course........................................................................................................................Booneville Country Club Tennis Courts.................................................................................................................................Northeast Tennis Courts Athletic E-mail...................................................................................................................................... rgford@nemcc.edu National Affiliation......................................................................National Junior College Athletic Association/Region 23 State Affiliation......................................................................Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges Colors..............................................................................................................................................................Black & Gold Mascot...........................................................................................................................................................................Tiger (All numbers carry a 662 area code and are led by a 720-prefix unless otherwise noted)
Northeast Mississippi Community College