University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Lady Eagles Engage in Community Before Season Starts
10/30/2019 9:54:00 AM | Women's Basketball
The Southern Miss women's basketball team has been interacting with the community before their season starts on Nov. 2.
The Lady Eagles visited elementary schools in the area to talk about education before their Education Day game against William Carey all throughout the month of September, and recently took part in the eighth annual Halloween Parade on the Avenues on Oct. 29.
They have visited Oak Grove Lower, Petal Lower, Quitman Lower, and Benndale Elementary.
Head Coach Joye Lee-McNelis
"Our philosophy is to give back to others. This season we will embrace Accept, Respect, Love and Give Daily. During the month of September we have been involved in our community in several ways. We have spoken to elementary and middle schools in the area and even as far away as Quitman. I believe that each young lady that becomes a part of our program must advance their confidence in speaking to groups of people. This is a life skill that will help them for the rest of their life. Each Lady Eagle has a story to tell and it is fun to watch them grow in expressing themselves while sharing their mission. We are all about developing the total person not just a basketball player. As we continue to impact our community and surrounding areas we hope that others will join our mission and help us as a staff make a difference in the lives of our Lady Eagles."
Senior Shonte Hailes
"The various visits at the schools have a great impact on my life and the team. It tends to give me reassurance that there is always someone who's looking up to you. Any example we can set, we do it in a positive manner because the future depends on the foundation of the youth! The experience has been the absolutely best for the team. I don't think the kids realize how much of an impact they have on our lives, just to see how excited and eager they were to see us made the experience even better! Their reactions to us making shots and playing around was everything plus more! "If your presence doesn't make an impact then your absence won't make a difference" is what we take into consideration when we go hang out with the kiddos."
Freshman Liz Gibbs
"Talking to the kids at Quitman and Oak Grove elementary was a great experience! The kids were excited to see us and we were excited to see them. I was really grateful for the opportunity to share with the kids why education is so important. Them listening to someone that has been in their shoes influences them and motivates them more because we are college students and they will be college students before they know it. So sharing with them about making sure they get up to go to school matters, paying attention matters, getting good grades matter, and never giving up matters! I want to give every kid the same opportunity that I have as becoming a college student and succeeding in life, not only in sports but in every area in life and education is key! #smttt"
Yesterday we had the pleasure of visiting Quitman Lower Elementary! #SMTTT pic.twitter.com/ZGIkCXmOWy
— Lady Eagle Women's Basketball (@SouthernMissWBB) September 21, 2019
Hey Oak Grove Lower, we loved getting to talk education and play some basketball with you today! #SMTTT pic.twitter.com/GAycK2cr5c
— Lady Eagle Women's Basketball (@SouthernMissWBB) September 23, 2019
The Lady Eagles also participated in Youth Sports Day on Sept. 28 before the football game versus UTEP.
Youth Sports Day Fun! pic.twitter.com/Ei1IUY4RHD
— Lady Eagle Women's Basketball (@SouthernMissWBB) September 28, 2019
On Monday, Oct. 28, Joye Lee-McNelis met with Mayor Toby Barker and Head Coach of the women's basketball team at William Carey, Tracy English to talk about Education Day and the start of basketball in the 'Burg.
It was a Great Southern Miss Day for Women's Hoops. Thank you Mayor @toby_barker for hosting our event. EDUCATION DAY NOVEMBER 5th at 11:00 am.. A great opportunity for our local students to get an opportunity to visit a college campus and catch a college game. Dream Big! https://t.co/a0qgBq1Ah0
— Joye Lee-McNelis (@CoachMcNelis) October 29, 2019
The Lady Eagles have been participating in the annual Halloween Parade on the Avenues in Hattiesburg for the past several years.
We had a spooktacularly ghoulish time at the Avenues Halloween Parade! #SMTTT #SpookySzn 🧟♀️🎃👻 pic.twitter.com/BpyKHEL9vV
— Lady Eagle Women's Basketball (@SouthernMissWBB) October 30, 2019
