50th PJC baseball reunion held

Published or Revised January 12, 2017

Members from the Paris Junior College 1966 baseball team came together in the Student Center Ballroom on Saturday, April 30, to enjoy each other and share memories. They were joined by the 2015-2016 PJC baseball team, and members of the community. Those who were able to attend included Susan Reinhardt Mills, widow of 1966 Assistant Coach Mike Reinhardt and her daughter Jennifer Reinhardt Johnson, 1966 players Doug Dennis, Archie Reynolds, Robert Royer, Mickey Pemberton, Jean Blalock, Johnny Parker, Sam Knox, Jerry Phillips, Denny Dowd, Ernie McAnally, and Pam Campbell Duke, daughter of 1966 Coach Jim Campbell. After a welcome from PJC Institutional Advancement/Alumni Affairs Director Derald Bulls, '66 team member Ernie MacAnally gave a prayer. Then the audience received an overview of the college's growth from PJC President Dr. Pam Anglin and an update on the baseball program from PJC Athletic Director/Baseball Coach Deron Clark. "We are proud that you are with us, proud that these young kids play for us, and we hope that we can represent this institution at the same level you have," said Coach Clark. After invitations to everyone who attended to come up and speak, several of the 1966 team availed themselves of the opportunity. Mickey Pemberton spoke first: "This is where we had a living ball playing baseball and getting an education, not just from the college but in general of what you live when you leave this place." "It was in that dorm and on that field that we learned the lessons of life, not just of baseball," said Jerry Phillips. "The lessons we learned then made us not only successful as a ballplayer, but as a family man and in business. Thank you very much Paris Junior College, for getting us on the right track as soon as we left here." "I think it has been special for all of us who played in '66 to be back here today," said Ernie MacAnally. Turning to the current baseball team he said, "you guys will make friends here that you won't want to throw away. If I have a message to you it is respect the game, respect your teammates, respect your opportunity to play, look at the game if you really love it like you'll play forever but know that every chance to run, hit or throw might be your last. You will run out of places to play. Enjoy every moment, give all you got, respect your institution that provides you a place to play, respect your parents, your coach, and your teammates and cherish those relationships and build a bond that will last 50 years and beyond. God bless you." Current members of the PJC baseball team then presented jerseys to the 1966 team members with their numbers, and posters showing Hub Hollis Field. Though the Saturday game against Panola College had to be delayed to Sunday due to rain, the two teams went down to Hub Hollis for photos and more shared stories.