The Southern Miss Lady Eagle basketball program believes it is important for the
players to be active in the community. The
Lady Eagles have prided itself on giving back
to the community, and it was evident when
the team received their second-consecutive
community service award for the entire
athletic department last season. Several community service projects included helping
to raise funds for the local Salvation Army’s
Boys’ and Girls’ Club, free clinics for the
Southern Miss faculty and staff children and
Upward Basketball, and celebrity waitress
for raising money for breast cancer. In 2005,
the team also put together care packages and
delivered them to people in McNelis’ hometown affected by Hurricane Katrina.
Speaking Engagements
Throughout the year, members of the
Lady Eagle team visit local elementary and
middle schools to speak to the students
on the importance of an education. They
also tell about what life as a student-athlete
entails on a daily basis, and about their trav-
els to different cities and states.
Post-Game Autograph Session
One of the added features at the Green
House is the post-game autograph sessions
held by the Lady Eagle players and coaches.
It has quickly become one of the more popular activities for Lady Eagle fans.
Win or lose, the Lady Eagles return to the
playing floor shortly after the conclusion of
the game to sign autographs and meet with
the fans who stay around after each game.
Extraordinary Eagles
The Southern Miss women’s basketball
team kicked off the Extraordinary Eagle
Program for grades 1-8 grades, last season,
in honoring students who received all A’s
and B’s on their report cards after nine
weeks.
Many area students in Forrest and Lamar
Counties were recognized each nine weeks
during the 2006-07 year for receiving all
A’s and B’s on their report cards. Southern
Miss designated a game each nine weeks as
“Extraordinary Eagles” Day.
Honorary Coaches
At each and every Lady Eagle home
game, Joye Lee-McNelis and her staff have a
little extra help.
Once again this season the Lady Eagles
will have members of the Hattiesburg community serving as honorary coaches on the
Southern Miss bench.
These coaches will include executive
form local business, University personnel,
avid fans and members of local charity
groups.
As an honorary coach, the participants
get to sit on the bench as well as give a
pregame speech. The honorary coaches also
attend the half-time and post-game meetings
among the players and the coaches.
