A Hawaiian Shirt, Hoops And Healing
December 16, 2022 | Men's Basketball, Women's Basketball, Joel Coleman
MSU basketball helping the Bulldog family endure.
STARKVILLE – Hearts have been incredibly heavy all week as the Mississippi State family has mourned the death of football coach Mike Leach. The Pirate's sudden loss rocked Bulldogs everywhere to their core.
Hurt has been all around. However, over a two-day span, MSU men's and women's basketball teams did their very best to put salve in the open wounds.
On Wednesday, the State men topped Jackson State 69-59. A day later, the women rolled past Florida A&M 72-47.
Basketball games are so trivial in the grand scheme of life. However, this week, MSU's games have meant so much more. They've been a part of a healing process.
"It's hard, you know. I mean, death is hard," D.J. Jeffries of the men's team said. "It came unexpectedly, so it's hard for a lot of people. All of Mississippi State is grieving right now and I feel sorry for the whole football team and everybody that knows Mike Leach and everybody he impacted. It's hard, but we tried to do something [Wednesday] positive for him and go out there and win and give the community something to smile about."
In times like these, smiles are one of life's most precious gifts. They don't remove pain, but they make pain easier to bear.
Only about 24 hours after Jeffries and the men's team brought a touch of happiness, the Bulldog women followed suit on Thursday. And it wasn't just the night's result that was pleasing.
It was ugly Christmas sweater night at Humphrey Coliseum. Yet MSU head coach Sam Purcell had a better idea.
"I was at Wal-Mart [prior to the game] and I said, 'Well, why get a sweater when I just wanted to give a little love [towards Leach]?'" Purcell explained.
His idea? Purcell wanted to don a Hawaiian shirt – a garment Leach frequently sported. So, that's precisely what Purcell did as he paid homage to his late friend who Purcell developed a connection with shortly after Purcell was hired earlier this year.
"I'll never forget when I took this job, we went on a Bulldog tour down in Biloxi," Purcell remembered. "We were answering questions left and right and one of the questions was about my past. I told the audience that I once worked at GAP and that I love clothes. And Leach was like, 'I do, too! You're my fashion buddy.'"
So, it was only fitting Purcell honored Leach by adopting one of the trademark outfits of the Pirate…well, sort of. Purcell is convinced his choice of attire wouldn't have gotten Leach's total approval. Why not? Because Purcell didn't wear cargo shorts or flip-flops.
"He'd probably have told me, 'Sam, if you're going to go for it, go all in.' Just like he did with his offense," Purcell said. "He'd say, 'Don't play passive. If it's fourth down, go for it.' So, he's probably saying, 'You were on fourth down and you decided to kick it.' Nah, hopefully he was excited about it. We're sure going to miss him. I hope he's proud and smiling from up above."
If anyone could appreciate folks trying to have a good time, that'd be Leach – a man known for enjoying life to its fullest. The Bulldogs will all keep trying to do just that, but as they do, they'll be carrying Leach's memory with them.
"The university and the football community have definitely been mourning, but to know how big of a legacy [Coach Leach] left and the fact we now get to come out here with Mississippi State across our chests and play for him and everybody else, that's what it's all about," Ahlana Smith of the women's team said. "Big prayers up to him and his family. We're praying for them through this difficult time. We'll keep playing for him."
