The University of Mississippi Athletics
Team Mom
4/14/2003 | Softball
April 14, 2003
By Jennifer Daly
Ole Miss Athletics Media Relations Student Assistant
During these final weeks of the school year, please forgive Phyllis Manley if she forgets to return your phone calls or even if she passes by you on campus and forgets to say, "Hello." She has got a few things on her mind these days.
Manley, a senior catcher for the Ole Miss softball team, has a lot to accomplish before the end of the season. In addition to helping the Rebels earn a spot in the Southeastern Conference Softball Tournament that will be held May 8-11, Manley is also working toward completing the remainder of her classes, maintaining her involvement in student organizations, excelling in the leadership roles she has taken on and keeping up with friends and family in her spare time.
While her main focus remains on softball, the Southaven native is also eyeing graduation in early May and planning a wedding for June. Manley has mixed emotions about the end of her career as a student-athlete.
"I don't think that my body can handle it anymore, but my heart is always in softball," said Manley, the Ole Miss all-time leader and SEC active leader in career pickoffs with 21.
Manley began catching at age seven and has spent most of her time, including spring breaks and summers, playing softball since.
"My mom says that you could tell immediately that I was going to be an athlete because I loved to be out there," recalls Manley, who has been a part-time starter behind the plate the last three seasons.
"She's a hard worker," said head coach Candi Letts. "She's the motivator of the team, and the team calls her 'Mom'. She does have that attitude of taking care of things and picking up all of the pieces."
Not only does Manley take care of things on the field, she is equally assertive around campus and in the community. Manley was recognized in 2002 for both the SEC Academic Honor Roll and the SEC Good Works Team. She is presently on the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and serves as the current M-Club president.
"Phyllis has done well in the classroom and as a four-year player on the softball team," said Associate Athletic Director Lynnette Johnson. "She's not only a leader on the softball team, but also a campus leader, serving as the president of the student M-Club."
Manley has no regrets about devoting so much of her life to softball.
"Softball gave me the opportunity to get scholarships," said Manley. "It gave me the opportunity to get an education. And now it is giving me the opportunity not only to teach, but also to coach."
Manley will begin her career in August at a new school in Southaven called Desoto Central High School, where she will teach and serve as the head coach of the school's softball team.
"I've always played ball, and when you have something that's so prevalent in your life, it is natural to want to continue it," she said.
A Mathematics major with an English minor, Manley had not originally planned to be a teacher. Her decision to teach was based on her natural tendencies toward leadership.
"I have always liked kids and instruction. It's just something that comes naturally to me," Manley said.
But before her new career can begin, Manley is trying to stay focused on finishing this season on a strong note.
"My personal goal for this year is just to continue to get better and to go out with a bang," said Manley.
