University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
HOMECOMING Fan Feature: John Cox
10/27/2016 12:00:00 AM | Football
John Cox has been a part of HOMECOMING at Southern Miss since 1974. Cox graduated in 1978 with a BS in Radio, Television and Film and has been the, “Voice of the Golden Eagles” since he took over for Bill Goodrich in 1982. Cox calls football, men’s basketball and baseball along with hosting the Golden Eagle Hotline radio show and the Southern Miss Sports Today TV show.
“I always think of HOMECOMING as the ultimate family reunion,” Cox said. “A lot of people live far away and aren’t able to come back as often as they like so the HOMECOMING game is always probably the one game that people come back to. You get to see a lot of people who are friends that you haven’t seen in a long time. People come back home and celebrate and remember all the things that made them special to them.”
Since Cox has been involved for such a long time, his perspective is unlike most HOMECOMING attendees.
“From my perspective, I see players that I haven’t seen in a long time, whether they be football, basketball, or baseball- all the athletes I’ve covered. [Each game has] their own special and unique things that I remember whether it be a play, the result of the game, or someone that I saw. The combination of all the HOMECOMINGS make them special in their own way.”
2016 HOMECOMING will be different and standout for Cox when he serves as the Grand Marshal of the HOMECOMING Parade.
“I’ve never thought about being the Grand Marshal of the parade, but I was honored when they called me to ask me,” Cox said. “I’m looking forward to it. The closer it gets the more I look forward to it. I’ll get to see some people I haven’t seen in a while, but from a different perspective.”
Cox also added that HOMECOMING is more than just the football game and gave advice to people that are coming back.
“Spend more time soaking in all the events that are all about HOMECOMING. The Friday night when people are on campus and going to see the decorations, is my advice [to do for] anyone coming back. There is so much more now than when I was in school. There is so much more that shows off all the great things about this University.”
