Joy+US Foundation Launches With Creation Of Alex Wilcox Memorial Scholarship

OKLAHOMA CITY – Award-winning ESPN broadcaster and Women's College World Series sideline reporter Holly Rowe announced the creation of her Joy+US Foundation on Thursday with the establishment of the Alex Wilcox Memorial Scholarship Fund.

Coinciding with the opening day of play at the Women's College World Series, the foundation's first project is dedicated to Mississippi State softball's Alex Wilcox, who passed away from ovarian cancer in 2018. Wilcox continued to play her freshman season at State while undergoing treatment for the disease that would ultimately take her life. Rowe, a cancer survivor, was herself undergoing treatment at the same time as Wilcox.

"When I was battling stage IV metastatic melanoma, I made a vow that whatever time I had left, I was going to do good in the world," Rowe said in her announcement video. "Alex was a young woman fighting ovarian cancer at the same time I was battling my cancer. She was going through chemo, and she would keep showing up every day to practice because it brought her so much joy. I want to make sure that someone around the country will forever be playing softball in Alex's name."

Wilcox's story inspired the nation in the spring of 2018, and she's left a lasting legacy in the softball community. The SEC annually holds All For Alex weekend when every team in the conference wears teal to bring awareness to ovarian cancer. She was the first female student-athlete in MSU history to have her jersey number retired, and State renamed one of its home February tournaments as "The Snowman" in her honor and as a nod to her No. 8 jersey and nickname.

With the permission of the Wilcox family, Rowe has created a memorial fund that will award an annual scholarship to a young softball player whose family or life has been affected by cancer.

"I want to bring joy to others around the country who may have been challenged with cancer themselves and make sure they continue to do the things that bring them joy," Rowe added.

Rowe has become a tireless advocate for cancer research and prevention. During her journey with cancer, she started keeping a daily joy journal to record the little moments that made her absolutely happy. Joy has kept her going through the most difficult times in life. Joy+US aims to create that same feeling for others.

For more information on the Bulldog softball program, follow on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook and Instagram by searching "HailStateSB."

Mississippi State University Athletics

Joy+US Foundation Launches With Creation Of Alex Wilcox Memorial Scholarship

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