BOONEVILLE, Miss. - Northeast Mississippi Community College's basketball teams have a full night of activities planned for their final home games of the fall semester.
The Lady Tigers and Tigers welcome Coahoma Community College on Monday, December 9 for the first Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges (MACJC) North Division contests of the season. Women's tipoff is at 5:30 p.m. with the men to follow.
The activities begin with the fifth annual Lady Tigers for Life night in which the tradition-rich women's basketball program celebrates its long list of accomplishments and celebrated athletes.
The Lady Tigers have captured 17 MACJC North Division championships, 10 MACJC state titles and three National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Region 23 crowns. Not to mention the 1987 NJCAA national championship.
The Lady Tigers for Life was originally established to reunite the several hundred players that suited up for NJCAA Hall of Fame coach and current president of Northeast Ricky Ford.
However, the mission of the Lady Tigers for Life organization has since expanded and now includes all alumni of the program. That includes both athletes and student managers as well.
Northeast held a special dedication ceremony to rename the floor inside legendary Bonner Arnold Coliseum as the "Ricky G. Ford Court" during the 2018 edition of the Lady Tigers for Life reunion.
Ford remains one of the top 15 all-time winningest coaches in the history of the NJCAA with 588 victories against only 226 losses during his successful 30-year tenure as headman of the Lady Tigers.
"When I accepted the position here, I wanted to do something to give back to the school," said current Northeast head coach Brenda Mayes. "It gives everybody an opportunity to connect back with their class. We're really excited about it."
It is also the second annual Pizza with Santa night. Jolly ole Saint Nick is coming to the City of Hospitality just 16 days before travelling around the world to award presents to all good boys and girls.
Kris Kringle will leave Vixen, Blitzen, Rudolph and all his reindeer on the roof of the coliseum and arrive immediately after the conclusion of the women's matchup between the Lady Tigers and Coahoma.
Children of all ages are invited to come take pictures and enjoy a free slice of Domino's pizza with Father Christmas. Saint Nicholas will setup shop in the north bleachers inside the gymnasium.
Santa will stay for approximately 30 minutes before climbing back into his sleigh and journeying back to the North Pole workshop to continue preparations for Christmas night alongside his elves.
Admission to Northeast's conference opener is free with the donation of a toy. All toys collected will be sent to the Booneville Boys and Girls Club and given to the many children that it serves.