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Co-Lin Athletic Alumni Association to induct four into Sports Hall of Fame WESSON – The Copiah-Lincoln Community College Athletic Alumni Association will induct four members into the Sports Hall of Fame during Homecoming festivities on Saturday, Oct. 19.
This year’s class includes Rebecca Lynn Bailey of Cullowhee, North Carolina; Tony Bryant of Miramar, Florida; Richard I. Smith of Brookhaven; and Angellica “Nikki” Williams of Plano, Texas. The four will be inducted during the annual meeting of the Athletic Alumni Association at 9 a.m. in Rea Auditorium and later recognized during the alumni luncheon at 11 a.m. in the cafeteria and also during halftime of the ballgame.
Rebecca Bailey
Bailey is a 2008 graduate of Co-Lin where she led the softball team to a Runner-Up title in the NJCAA National Tournament (the highest finish of any sport in the history of the college). Bailey was named NJCAA First Team All-American, NJCAA First Team All-Region, and MACJC First Team All-State, while leading Co-Lin to an MACJC State Championship and a NJCAA Region 23 Championship title. She was also named to the NJCAA All-Tournament team.
While playing the entire season with a torn ACL, Bailey established single season school records for strikeouts (221), saves (3), and tied the team record for wins (21). Her ERA was a miniscule 1.34 during her historic season, allowing only 26 walks in 162 innings pitched, holding her opponents to a .173 batting average.
After Co-Lin, Bailey continued her softball career for Lock Haven University where she helped the team to a NCAA DII National Championship.
Bailey was named the PSAC Pitcher of the Week and holds the school record for single game strikeouts (16). She graduated from Lock Haven University in 2014 with a degree in social work. Bailey has served as a volunteer assistant softball coach at Central Mountain High School, where she also gave free softball clinics and lessons for area athletes. She is currently the program manager for Meridian Behavioral Services, where she runs an elementary program for traumatized children.
Tony Bryant
Bryant is a 1996 graduate of Co-Lin where he was an All-State selection, All-American Defensive End and NJCAA Most Valuable Player. Bryant was named the No. 6 Junior College Prospect and the Top Junior College Player. During his freshman year at Co-Lin, Bryant also played post for the Wolf Pack basketball team where he was named All-State and Most Valuable Player.
After Co-Lin, Bryant went on to attend Florida State University where he was named to the All-ACC 2nd Team. At FSU, Bryant started at right defensive end and recorded 14 career sacks and 87 tackles.
In 1999, Bryant was selected in the second round of the NFL draft (40th overall) by the Oakland Raiders. Bryant played for the Raiders from 1999-2002 and was a part of their Super Bowl season in 2002.While playing for the Raiders, Bryant recorded 92 solo tackles, 35 assists, 17 sacks, and one safety. In 2003, Bryant signed with the New Orleans Saints and played there until he went to the St. Louis Rams in 2006 for his final season in the NFL.
Following his NFL career, Bryant spent seven years as the defensive line coach at Miami Central High School and went to five state championships with the team. Bryant is currently the defensive line coach at Killian High School in Miami, Florida. Bryant and his wife Percylla have three children, India, Iyana, and Iniya.
Richard I. Smith
Smith is a 1972 graduate of Co-Lin where he was a two-time captain of the Wolf Pack football team and an All-State selection.
Smith was named to the Mississippi Junior College All-Star team and awarded best offensive player as a center and best blocker for the Wolf Pack. While at Co-Lin, Smith also threw discus for the track team.
After Co-Lin, he attended Mississippi College and graduated in 1974 with a degree in business administration. For over 40 years, Smith has spent his career in asphalt plant operation, including state, federal, and private commercial work. He is a member of the Mississippi Asphalt Paving Association, Associated Builders and Contractors of Mississippi (ABC), Mississippi Associated General Contractors (AGC), and Mississippi Roadbuilders Association.
Smith is active in the American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association and competes on the national level. In 2018, Smith rode in the National Championship for vintage motorcycle racing. Smith is a benefactor of the Copiah Animal Shelter, Allen Volunteer Fire Department, and Steens Volunteer Fire Department. Smith and his wife Patti have been married for 45 years and have one son, James Smith, Ph.D.
Nikki Williams
Williams is a 2007 graduate of Co-Lin where she was named MACJC First Team All-State both her freshman and sophomore years and MACJC All-Star. Williams was a part of the NJCAA All Region XXIII All-Tournament Team and NJCAA All Region XXIII Team in 2006 and 2007. Both seasons Williams played for the Wolf Pack, the team was MACJC South Division Champions and MACJC State Runner-up. With a record of 20-8, the team was NJCAA Region XXIII Runner-up in 2006, and with a record of 30-5, the team earned the title of NJCAA Region XXIII Champions in 2007. Williams helped lead the team to a NJCAA National Tournament sixth place finish and was named NJCAA 1st Team All-American.
After Co-Lin, Williams attended Lamar University where she continued her basketball career. In 2008, Williams was named 3rd Team All-Conference. In 2009, she was named 2nd Team All-Conference in the Southland Conference (SLC). While at Lamar, Williams led the SLC in steals, and the team earned the Southland Conference East Division Title and had their first ever appearance in an SLC tournament championship game. Williams graduated in 2009 with a bachelor’s degree in general studies. In 2014, she earned a master’s degree in education school counseling.
Williams played professionally overseas for three seasons with the Rwanda National Team before returning as the women’s assistant basketball coach at Co-Lin in 2012. She coached the Wolf Pack for six seasons before leaving in 2017. Williams is currently an academic advisor at Abilene Christian University.
Tickets to the alumni luncheon are $15 and may be purchased prior to the event at the Alumni Office, at morning registration at Rea Auditorium, or at the door. Pre-game ceremonies begin at 2:30 at Stone Stadium. Kickoff for the Homecoming game against Jones College is at 3:00 p.m. For more information on Homecoming events, visit www.colin.edu.
