POPLARVILLE – Maghan James already has her name carved into the Pearl River Community College record books. As an all-state and all-region 23 softball player for the Wildcats from 2004-05, she batted .515 with eight home runs, both school records, her sophomore season. She is about to set another record: First softball player inducted into the PRCC Sports Hall of Fame. I get choked up when I think about this, said James, who is beginning her fourth season as assistant softball coach at PRCC. It is something I never thought I would accomplish. I love this school and I love working here. Her accomplishments on the softball field have earned James a place in the college”s Sports Hall of Fame. She will be inducted Saturday, Oct. 15, during 2011 Homecoming festivities. Meghan is very passionate about softball, said PRCC coach Leigh White, who coached James for two years at PRCC. We would not settle for anything less than the best she could do. As a coach, she is such an inspiration. She knows the game, has a passion to work hard, wants us to be the best. She is in it for the students. She is a good leader, on and off the field. She brings a lot to the table. We have a good working relationship. She like another head coach. James came to PRCC from Oak Grove High School. She was the starting second baseman both years, leading the Lady Wildcats to the state tournament her freshman season. My two years here were awesome. They were also intense, said James. I learned a lot. I really became a better athlete my two years here. I loved the atmosphere. She credits Coach White with helping her become a better all-around player, as well as a power hitter her sophomore season. A highlight of her sophomore season was hitting back-to-back homers in a road victory over Jones County Junior College. Coach White brought me out of my shell, said James. She helped me realize what I was capable of. We did a lot of weight training. James was more than just a good athlete, and she carried a 3.9 grade-point average as well. She was a member of Phi Theta Kappa. Following her PRCC career, she signed with William Carey University, where she was an all-conference player and NAIA academic All-American for two years while earning a physical education degree with a minor in biology. She is currently working on her Ph.D. in higher education and administration at Carey. Both of my parents pushed me to be the best that I could be and I know they are proud of this honor, said James.
NAME: Maghan James
HOMETOWN: Oak Grove
FAMILY: Parents, Lavon and Tammy James of Oak Grove. One sister, Logan James, 23.
EDUCATION: Graduated from Oak Grove High, 2003, graduated from PRCC, 2005; graduated William Carey, 2007; graduated with Masters, USM, 2008.
OCCUPATION: Assistant softball coach, HP&R instructor, PRCC.