Co-Lin Athletic Alumni Association to induct four into Sports Hall of Fame

The Co-Lin Athletic Alumni Association will induct four members into the Sports Hall of Fame during Homecoming festivities Saturday, Oct. 28.

This year’s class includes Leon Canoy of Crystal Springs, Victor Green of Alpharetta, Georgia, Rudy McGehee of Florence, and Jessica Melton Prévōt of Bogue Chitto. The four will be inducted during the annual meeting of the Athletic Alumni Association at 9:00 a.m. in Rea Auditorium and later recognized during an alumni luncheon at 11:00 in the cafeteria and also during halftime of the ballgame.

Canoy is a 1960 graduate of Co-Lin where he was honored as a junior college Little All-American for football. After Co-Lin, he attended Mississippi College where he received a bachelor’s degree in 1962. He was head football coach at Crystal Springs High School from 1964-1971 where he won the Tiger Bowl Championship. He opened his own insurance agency, Canoy Insurance, in Crystal Springs in 1972 and has worked as an agent for 45 years. He is “semi-retired.” Canoy and his wife Amelia have two sons, Tommy and Tracy, and one grandson.

Green is a 1989 graduate of Co-Lin where he was named All-State, All-Region, and an All-American in football. After Co-Lin, he attended Akron University where he was the football team captain in 1991 and received a bachelor’s degree in political science and criminal justice.

Green spent 11 years in the NFL, including nine years with the New York Jets, where he started as strong safety. He led the NFL in tackles in 1995 and ’96 and set a team record with 20 tackles. He was named “Best Strong Safety” in Jets history and was honored by being placed on the Jets Four Decades Team. He is on the “Iron Man List” for 180 consecutive games played in his career. Green also spent a year with the New England Patriots, and one year with the New Orleans Saints. He is currently a scout for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Green is also known for his philanthropic work, most notably his Victor Green Foundation, offering tutoring, mentoring, and educational services for kids in need. He was awarded the Key to the City of Americus (Georgia) because of his work in his home town community and was honored along with President Jimmy Carter in a salute to “Americus Greats.”  Green and his wife Esther have three children.

McGehee is a 1964 graduate of Co-Lin where he was named Second Team All-State for basketball. After Co-Lin, he attended Livingston University where he played basketball and received a bachelor’s degree in social studies and physical education. He also received a master’s degree in administration from Mississippi College.

McGehee enjoyed a 33-year career as a high school teacher, coach and principal at schools across central Mississippi, including 18 years as assistant principal, athletic director and coach at Byram Attendance Center and Terry High School, where he won state championships in golf four times and was named Mississippi Golf Coach of the Year four times.

He is a member of the Mississippi High School Activities Association, the Mississippi Association of Coaches where he received a 25-year service award, and the Mississippi and National Associations of Secondary School Principals. McGehee and his wife Linda have two daughters, Kim Griffin and Kristin Davis, and four grandchildren.

Prévōt is a 2005 graduate of Co-Lin where she was on both the softball and basketball teams where she was named NJCAA Second Team All-American, NJCAA First Team All-Region, MACJC First Team All-State, and was recognized as NJCAA National Player of the Week for softball. She holds the school record for batting average and triples in a season. She was a two-year starter on the basketball team, helping her team to a runner-up finish in the Region 23 tournament. She averaged 7.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2 steals, and 2.6 assists per game.

After Co-Lin, Prévōt completed nursing school at Southwest Mississippi Community College. She is employed at McComb Children’s Clinic and has a son, Nicholas Clark.

Tickets to the alumni luncheon are $15 and may be purchased prior to the event at the Alumni Office, at morning registration at Rea Auditorium, or at the door. Pre-game ceremonies begin at 2:30 at Stone Stadium. Kickoff for the Homecoming game against Pearl River Community College is at 3:00 p.m. For more information on Homecoming events, visit www.colin.edu/alumni-foundation/alumni-association/homecoming/