2009

East Central Hall of Fame Finding her 'match' leads McPhail to Hall from school reports AcademicAll-Americans. She first held a tennis Coach McPhail's honors racket when she was are also impressive. In addi- "recruited" to play the sport tion to her 2008-09 national at East Central Community accolades, she has been College in Decatur. Her chosen Region 23 Women's career in coaching was also Coach of the Year on six not planned but something occasions; Mississippi Asso- she was more-or-less forced dation ofCoaches (MAC) to do. Men's and Women's Tennis But the sport has Coach of the Year (four become a times); MACJCWomen's perfect Coach of the Year (five "match" times); MACJC Men's for Wanda Coach of the Year (five Blackwell times); and received the McPhail, Hershel Stephen's whose CoachingAward in 2007, an success as honor voted on by men Meridian coaches recognizing out- Commu- standing service and dedi- nity Col- cation to men's tennis on lege's Mc:Phall the national level. tennis In addition, she is coach has landed the presently the president and Collinsville resident in the formerly vice president and ECCCAthletic Hall of secretary of the NJCAA Fame. She will be enshrined Tennis Coaches' Associa- into the prestigious group tion and served several during ECCC's home- terms as secretary of the coming activities scheduled MACJC Coaches' Associa- Saturday. tion. She is now serving a McPhail referred to her term on the ITA Board of upcoming induction as "one Directors. of the greatest honors I The fact that McPhail have received in my life." has experienced a suc- ''To receive an award like cessful career as tennis this is just icing on the coach has really been some- cake," said McPhail, whose what of a surprise to the list of honors include her Union native, especially selection as NJCAA Region since she knew little about XXIII Tennis Coach of the the sport until arriving as a Year for 2008-09 after student-athlete at ECCC fol leading her MCC women lowing a successful basket- and men's teams to Region ball and track career at 23 titles and berths in the Union. national tournament "I was McPhail, who entered so pleased when as a stu- East Central in the fall of dent I was named to the 1969 to play basketball for ECJC Hall of Fame, and I coachWood's Warriorettes,

APPEARE am again so pleased to be recalled the first day she honored by my alma mater." was "introduced" to tennis. Longtime ECCC faculty "As an athlete, my time CARTHAG member Lucille Wood nomi- at East Central was special," nated her former player for she said. "I had never NEWTON ' the honor. __..z.P:.::la::Lyed tennis in my life and SPIRIT OF MORTON--.,------– MERIDIAN STAR --..:...L.-----

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