University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Athletics Foundation Sets Up Medical Fund For Student Athletes
1/17/2003 12:00:00 AM | Football
Athletics Foundation Sets Up Medical Fund For Student Athletes
"Our thoughts and prayers continue to go out to Derrick and his family," Giannini said. "The University of Southern Mississippi Athletics Foundation is establishing a medical fund to assist student athletes with the medical expenses such as those associated with Derrick's kidney ailment. This fund will help pay the medical expenses that are not covered by insurance, which may be considerable. We gratefully appreciate the friends and fans of Derrick and Southern Miss, who have inquired about how they can support him through this process. The Medical Fund will be a worthwhile endeavor, and we know all Golden Eagle fans will come to our aid in supporting our student athletes."
"The purpose of this fund is in conjunction with the long term goal of a transplant," said Dr. Jon Thornton, Kidney Nephrologist at the Hattiesburg Clinic and one of Nix's doctors. "It will be to help with the financial assistance of the transplant and with the medication associated with that."
Nix recently completed his career at Southern Miss, finishing with 3,584 yards rushing and scoring 30 touchdowns. He finished second on the school's and Conference USA's rushing yardage charts, was second on the school's career 100-yard games (14) and all-purpose yards (4,005) and third on the career rushing touchdowns list. In 2002, he finished with 1,184 yards and scored 11 touchdowns, garnering first-team All-Conference USA honors. That marked the third time he was an all-conference selection. Nix was selected to play in the senior bowl and was assured to be a high NFL draft pick, prior to his illness.
"So often, the ones who get challenged and have to fight through situations like Derrick is going through now are the ones who can overcome it," Southern Miss Head Coach Jeff Bower. "I have no doubt about this young man?s character and toughness."
Checks can be made payable to the Southern Miss Athletic Foundation, marked for the Student Athlete Medical Fund. The address is Southern Miss Athletics Foundation, P.O. Box 15458, Hattiesburg, MS 39404, or the contribution can be dropped off at the foundation office in the Pat Ferlise Center, 3001 West Fourth Street. For more information, contact Christi Holloway, the Chief Financial Officer of the Athletics Foundation, at 601-266-5034.
"You don't realize how much you mean to people until something happens." Nix said. "I love this university and everybody here. This was kind of tough situation for me to handle at first, but with so much love, it is like I am still playing. I just need another two yards for the first down, and that is how I will persevere and keep on going."
