EMCC Lions play with Dream Program athletes on eve of national championship game

OCEAN SPRINGS – Before they strap on their pads Sunday for the NJCAA Football Championship Game, the East Mississippi Community College football team wore their hearts on their sleeves.

The top-ranked EMCC Lions visited the Ocean Springs Sports Complex Saturday to spend an afternoon with special-needs athletes from the Dream Program, a local non-profit that facilitates athletic activities for differently-abled members.

"It's a great feeling to see all those folks smiling. It brings a lot of joy to my heart," said Lions outside linebacker William Lloyd of Rosedale. "Not everyone can be in our position, so we want to give back and thank them for their support. And we all like to have fun, so that's the whole objective."

Mission accomplished.

Every face wore a smile as the Lions lined up and called play after play, placing Dream Program members in running back or receiver positions before escorting each to the end zone to score a touchdown. And it was hard to tell who was having more fun as pandemonium ensued after each touchdown.

"You get to see the human side of these stellar athletes," said EMCC President Dr. Rick Young while looking out on the scene. "Normally you see them with their game faces on and all about business. But we're trying to develop the total package for our student athletes. That extends to being part of a community and taking on leadership roles. And they can take that away from here and it will serve them the rest of their lives."

Billy Duncan, who serves on the Dream Program's board of directors, said the MACJC (Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges) football champion traditionally has visited the program before the Mississippi Bowl. Dream Program members participate in football, softball, bowling and other sports throughout the year at no cost to participants, but the annual day with the MACJC champions is always a highlight. Especially when that team is also competing for a national championship.

"It's a big day for our athletes. They look forward to competing with the best in the state. And even though they have disabilities, they think they're just as good as these guys and look forward to playing with them," said Duncan.

EMCC assistant coach and offensive coordinator Marcus Wood said the football field day is just as valuable for his team: "This really puts things into perspective when you realize where you are in life and how fortunate you are. It's a joy to be here and have a chance to make a positive impact."

Bidding for their third national championship in four years and a second straight title, head coach Buddy Stephens' No. 1 EMCC Lions face No. 2 Iowa Western Community College Sunday at Biloxi Indian Stadium in Mississippi Bowl VII. Kickoff is at 2 p.m. 

Sunday's title game is scheduled to be video-streamed live via NJCAA TV/Team 1 Sports and will be accessible through the www.EMCCAthletics.com and www.mississippibowl.com​ websites.  In addition, the EMCC-IWCC matchup will be broadcast live on WFCA-FM (107.9), out of French Camp, while the game's radio broadcast will also be carried live by SuperTalk Mississippi (WZKR-FM 103.3) and WMOX-AM (1010) out of Meridian.