Joye Lee-McNelis walked off the court at Reed Green Coliseum a winner one last time.
After 21 years of leading the Southern Miss women’s basketball program, McNelis closed out her tenure in Hattiesburg, helping lead the Lady Eagles to a final home win to conclude the regular season.
Despite her retirement seeming imminent, as McNelis is battling her third stint of lung cancer, breaking the news to her team earlier this week was still a heartbreaking moment for the program.
“It was very emotional with everything that she has been through and with how long she has been the coach here, and the impact she has had towards our team, past teams, just really anybody in women’s sports,” said senior center Melyia Grayson. “It was just an honor to play for her and be here for her."
McNelis’ news proved to be the fuel that her Lady Eagles needed to defeat Louisiana 64-53 and snap a five-game losing streak on Friday night.
“(Earning the win) meant a lot with all the ups and downs that we had and the rollercoasters,” said Grayson, who posted a double-double of 26 points and 13 rebounds. “It meant a lot to go out and play hard and play tough. Everybody came together to get the end goal.”
McNelis’ message was simple as she was later honored during halftime of the men’s game where she addressed the crowd.
“When I was 15 years old my dream was to wear the Black and Gold,” McNelis said. “I am 62, and still wearing Black and Gold.
“There are so many players and administrators, Jeremy (McClain) and Sonya (Varnell), so many great fans and booster club (members), and coaching staff, and we do it for one reason. We do it for the reason to help our young people make their mark in our society. And when you leave Southern Miss, you usually leave better than how they found it. Go impact lives.”
True freshman Trinity Rowe was aware of McNelis’ health problems when she signed to play at Southern Miss. However, she didn't want to miss the opportunity to play for the longtime coach.
“Being here and experiencing the hardest phase she has been through with not being as active as a coach - every game that she is at just pushes me to get better,” Rowe said. “I know that we are fighting for something bigger than just basketball. I thank God that he brought me here and for letting me experience this last season with her.
“I wanted to play for Coach McNelis. With her not being here, I took a step back, and I didn’t want to take as much time to feel sorry for myself with it not going how it was planned. I believe God has a purpose. I trust him, and I’m thankful to be here for her hard times.”
Assistant coach Brooks Donald-Williams, who has had to run in-game duties this season, knows of McNelis’ passion for Southern Miss as she coached under her at Memphis and when she transitioned to USM.
“It breaks your heart,” said Williams, who immediately hugged McNelis as the final buzzer sounded. “You don’t want anybody you love to go through tough times.
“We are very grateful to be here and to be the group that gets to help, and carry on her legacy. It’s hard to put into words, really. I think we all can feel that gratefulness to be able to be with her and help her when she can’t be here, and learn from her when she is.”
McNelis’ story showcases her passion for her school. She turned down several high-end jobs after raising the profile of Memphis basketball during her first head coaching stint. During her run at Memphis, she led the Lady Tigers to four appearances in the NCAA tournament.
“She had some really good teams at Memphis,” Williams said. “We were good the year she left and had everybody returning. I was a young coach, and I remember the turmoil that was inside of her, trying to decide whether to stick with this program that she had built or come home to the one that she helped build as a player and an assistant coach. I think we all knew what was in her heart. It’s been really special to watch her choose Southern Miss for the right reasons.
In McNelis time as the Lady Eagles' head coach, as well as a former player and assistant coach, she will be remembered as someone who had a deep passion and love for her alma mater, which she wanted to repay for helping her be the leader she later became.
“I think a lot of times that people take jobs because of names and whatever else it may be,” Williams said. “Southern Miss is special, and it’s really special to her. She was real proud to make that move as hard as it was, and, boy, I think we are all grateful that she did.”
The Lady Eagles will now focus on the postseason as they travel to Pensacola, Fla., to compete in the first round of the Sun Belt tournament starting on Tuesday.
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