Ann Sanders Carr stood tall at the podium Thursday night duringthe Mississippi State University Lincoln County Alumni Chaptermeeting. Carr, a 6-footer who is a former MSU and Brookhavenbasketball star, was the featured speaker.

“I’m proud of the Lincoln County alumni and I’m happy to be heretonight,” said Carr. She currently is serving as MSU’s AssociateAthletic Director in charge of women’s sports.

A 1986 BHS graduate, Carr has been at MSU for 20 years, first asa player and then as an educator. She has a master’s degree incounseling from MSU. In basketball, she ranks 3rd all-time in freethrow percentage (81.5) and 10th all-time in rebounding (6.5).

“I blew out my knee in the third game of my senior year, so Iknow how important it is to get an education,” said Carr. “My jobis to encourage young ladies to be the best that they can be inathletics and academics at Mississippi State.”

Carr served 13 years as an academic counselor for MSU’s footballteam. “My job was to try and keep 120 young men eligible to play onSaturdays.”

She oversees several programs which teach athletes to providecommunity service to the Starkville area and in their home towns.”Our young ladies are doing good things in athletics.”

On the academic side, Carr said 78 student-athletes were namedto the dean’s list last semester. “Overall our student-athletesposted a 2.95 grade point average last year.”

Brookhaven product Megan Bateman has landed a scholarship on theMSU fastpitch softball team after two years at Copiah-LincolnCommunity College. She led the Lady Bulldogs in batting averageduring fall practice.

Carr said MSU women’s basketball coach Sharon Fanning has sevennew players on her squad. Optimism about the upcoming season ishigh. Fanning is one victory shy of her 500th career win.

“We play Georgia and South Carolina this weekend in volleyball,”said Carr. “When you are on campus, you need to come to their gamesand provide support.”

Carr said MSU’s volleyball team recently defeated Alabama, whichwas a great achievement. She said State’ s cross country teamrecently place sixth in the NCAA’s South Regional.

Carr’s 10-year-old daughter, Chris, is deeply involved ingymnastics. They spend a lot of time together at weekendcompetition.

MSU assistant baseball coach Russ McNickle was scheduled to beon the program but tragedy struck his family this week when hiswife was diagnosed with cancer.

Chapter treasurer Gary Blair requested special prayer for theMcNickle family. The Rev. Jeff Doremus, First Baptist Minister ofEducation, provided the closing invocation.

Golf Results

Hamill, tournament director for Thursday’s Seventh Annual GeorgeC. Brown Memorial Bulldog Golf Tournament at the Brookhaven CountryClub, thanked the participants for their contributions. Thetournament provided scholarships for seven Lincoln County highschool seniors this year.

The winning scramble team, Farm Bureau/Paul Jackson, consistedof Gary Myers, Lee Neal, Jeff Henning and Hamill. They shot an14-under 56 on a cold, windy day.

Placing second was Tillotson’s Service Station with a 62.Trustmark Bank finished third with a 64, winning a scorecardplayoff over Cellular South.