Several Winona High School alumni and former athletes visited the school recently to donate to the Tiger basketball team and share knowledge with a younger generation.
Tiger Head Coach Jemario Rugley said the group of men – Micheal McMath, Willie Everett, Craig Elliott, Tony Seals, Mario Hansbrough and William Smalls - reached out to him in an effort to give back to the basketball program in any way they could.
After realizing the needs of the team had been well taken care of, Rugley decided on a personal item that would be of good use for the players.
“I said backpacks,” said Rugley.
The group provided 20 Nike Elite backpacks with the Winona Montgomery Consolidated School District Tiger logo stitching, according to Rugley.
He said they not only donated backpacks but shared words of wisdom with the team at J.J. Knox Gym.
“They talked about encouraging my basketball program on how to be successful on the football field, off the football field, on the basketball court and off the basketball court,” said Rugley. “Every gentleman that spoke was born and raised in Winona.”
They were of varying professional backgrounds with some choosing to attend college and others going into military service, he said.
“Their message to my boys is that “what you put in is what you get out. What you reap is what you sow. With hard work, putting in some dedication, being consistent will take you a long way with your family, with work, with school,” said Rugley. “They wanted to let them know that they want to do anything and would love to do anything to help them to support them to give back in any way possible – whether it’s with bags, shoes, concession stand food, help revamp J.J. Knox Gym because it’s outdated.”
Each man spoke of his personal journey of trials and tribulation, but with the support of their families and coach, each player can be successful in their own path, Rugley said.
He appreciates the community’s support and the efforts of this group of men to encourage the Tigers in athletics and life.
Rugley said he and many others in the community are working to bring the basketball program back to the level it was decades ago under the leadership of Coach Billy Wells.
“I’m trying to do anything in my power to get it back to that,” said Rugley.
