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‘Just a legend’: Ole Miss mourns loss of ‘pioneer’ and all-time Rebel basketball great Coolidge Ball

Ben Garrettby: Ben Garrett08/29/23SpiritBen
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All-time Ole Miss great Coolidge Ball passed away Tuesday

Ole Miss basketball is mourning the loss of a legend.

Coolidge Ball, the first Black student-athlete at Ole Miss, passed away on Tuesday. Reactions and respects from Rebels far and wide are pouring in for Ball, whose visitation is set for Friday at 3 p.m. at the Tallahatchie-Oxford Missionary Baptist Association Building.

He was 71. A funeral service will also take place at the aforementioned facility on Saturday at noon.

“Obviously the biggest news and most important thing today is the passing of somebody dear to all of us and just a legend,” first-year Ole Miss head coach Chris Beard said. “Coolidge Ball was not only one of the best players to play at this school, but one of the best people to go to this university.

“He was really a trailblazer and pioneer.”

Beard met Ball back in March — when he was hired as Ole Miss head coach.

Ball was an All-SEC selection and scored over 1,072 points over his Ole Miss career. He helped the Rebels to three consecutive winning seasons from 1972 to 1974 — a feat the Rebels hadn’t pulled off in nearly 40 years. He was a team captain and MVP. 

Ball was inducted into the Ole Miss Athletics Hall of Fame in 1991 and the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame in 2008. He was named an SEC Basketball Legend for the class of 2005. Ball earned a spot on the Ole Miss Men’s Basketball All-Century Team in 2009, and a bronze statue in his honor was unveiled outside of the Pavilion Plaza in 2021.

“I had the pleasure of meeting him briefly around the time we accepted the job,” Beard said, in what was his first local-media session of the fall. “Was really looking forward to developing a friendship.

“Simply stated, he’s done so much for not only Ole Miss basketball, but the athletics department, the university, the town, this part of the state, the state. He’s just a legend. So, on behalf of everybody in our basketball program, we just want to extend our sympathies to his wife, his children (and) his grandchildren.

“Obviously looking forward to celebrating his life. That’s the most important thing today.”

RELATED: Ole Miss basketball officially releases roster for 2023-24 season

REACTIONS POUR IN ON LOSS OF COOLIDGE BALL

Ole Miss Athletics Director Keith Carter: “We are heartbroken to learn of the passing of Coolidge Ball — the greatest trailblazer in the history of Ole Miss Athletics. He not only broke down walls for future generations of student-athletes but also provided an example for all those who followed him. Coolidge remained an active member of the Ole Miss family throughout his life and always blew me away with his grace and kindness. Our university is forever grateful for his impact as a student athlete, civil rights leader and friend to us all.”

Ole Miss Chancellor Glenn Boyce: “Emily and I are saddened by the news of Coolidge Ball’s passing. He was a pioneer and a trailblazer whose immense courage opened the door for countless student-athletes at our university and in our state. Coolidge was widely respected for his strength, humility and kindness and will always be remembered as an extraordinary source of inspiration. We extend our deepest condolences and prayers to his family and loved ones.”

Former Ole Miss head coach Kermit Davis: “The state of Mississippi lost a fabulous man today with the passing of my good friend, Coolidge Ball. Carried himself with such class and humbleness. RIP, Cool.”

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