College Softball News

Alex Wilcox Number Retired at Mississippi State

Photo courtesy of Mississippi State Athletics

This past Sunday Mississippi State honored Alex Wilcox’s legacy with an on-campus memorial service. The service featured video tributes as well as members of Mississippi State softball team speaking on Wilcox’s impact both on and off the field. The event was open to the public. Wilcox passed away on June 25 after fighting against cancer since 2015. Wilcox was also honored at halftime of the Bulldogs football game against Louisiana.

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“Alex left a positive and profound impact on the world around her,” said head softball coach Vann Stuedeman in a press release “It is hard to imagine how she must have been feeling physically because there was never a day that she didn’t share her beautiful smile with us.  She was full of life. She was brave, and her determination was astonishing.  She showed us daily how to face an evil giant with grace and dignity.  I have been forever changed by her inner beauty, strength, courage, and love of life.  Alex was a gift to all who knew her. I am thankful she chose Mississippi State and blessed to have had the opportunity to know her.”

Diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2015, Wilcox continued to play softball throughout her treatments and helped lead Brantley High School to multiple state championships. Wilcox signed with the Bulldogs in 2016.

Over her freshman season, Despite being in the midst of chemotherapy treatments, Wilcox appeared in eight contests with three starts over her freshman season. She recorded three hits in her 15 at-bats, including her first collegiate hit against UMass Lowell in March. Balancing a full academic course load, Wilcox was named to the SEC Honor Roll this spring.

Mississippi State softball rallied around Wilcox throughout the 2018 season with its “No One Fights Alone” campaign as the program wore teal uniforms during midweek contests to spread awareness for ovarian cancer and Wilcox’s fight. Wilcox’s constant positivity and determination throughout her battle drew support and praise from legends in the softball community like Olympians Michele Smith and Jessica Mendoza.

The campaign sparked a fire as teams across the Southeastern Conference and the country rallied around Wilcox by wearing teal and sending messages of love and support. For their selfless efforts to support, all 13 SEC softball programs were awarded the league’s Sportsmanship Award in June.

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