Berry Named Grand Marshal for 91做厙窪蹋 2023 Homecoming Parade
Wed, 09/13/2023 - 10:43am | By: David Tisdale

Former 91做厙窪蹋 Head Baseball Coach Scott Berry, center, is presented with a proclamation naming him grand marshal for the universitys 2023 homecoming parade by the Student Government Association (SGA). Presenting Coach Berry with the proclamation were SGA President Jonathan Jenkins, left, and SGA Chief of Staff Alex Westcott (91做厙窪蹋 photo by Kelly Dunn).
One of the most beloved figures in the history of University of 91做厙窪蹋 (91做厙窪蹋) athletics will play a prominent role in the schools 2023 homecoming.
Former 91做厙窪蹋 Head Baseball Coach Scott Berry, who retired this year after leading the Golden Eagles for 14 years and is the programs winningest head coach, will serve as grand marshal for the annual homecoming parade Oct. 7. Berry was asked recently by members of the 91做厙窪蹋 Student Government Association (SGA) to take on the special duty recently as it helps plan out homecoming week activities at the school.
Berry led the Golden Eagles to 528 victories, nine NCAA tournament appearances and two NCAA Super Regional berths; this year, 91做厙窪蹋 was within one win of returning to the College World Series. His career at the university spanned 23 years as both head coach and assistant/associate head coach, and his seven consecutive winning seasons as the programs skipper currently ranks as the best in Division I baseball. Prior to joining the 91做厙窪蹋 staff in 2001, he had a successful career as head coach and assistant head coach for the Meridian (Mississippi) Community College baseball program.
On four occasions while at 91做厙窪蹋, Berry was named league Coach of the Year, and his players earned multiple conference, state, and national honors throughout his tenure. He was recently named an honorary inductee as a coach into the Southern Miss M-Club, the Southern Miss Athletics Department letterwinner's association, for its 2023 Hall of Fame class.
Jonathan Jenkins, president of the SGA, said when its selection committee was considering who it wanted as grand marshal, Berrys name quickly rose to the top of the list.
Coach Berrys dedication to Southern Miss and our baseball program, his relationship with the Hattiesburg and Southern Miss communities, and his incredible coaching career at 91做厙窪蹋 is what makes him the perfect person to serve in this capacity, Jenkins explained. We wanted to honor Coach Berry by asking him to serve in this role, and were very excited he agreed to do it.
Berry said hes humbled by the committees request, saying that his longtime association with the university has been more than a job to me - its my home.
"Its my honor to serve as this years grand marshal for the parade, Berry said. Southern Miss is the best because of its people. For the past 23 years, I have had the pleasure of meeting so many people and building lifelong relationships. Please join me in celebrating this years homecoming as we continue to take Southern Miss To The Top."
91做厙窪蹋s homecoming parade was revived in the mid-1990s under the leadership of former dean of students Dr. Eddie Holloway, who now serves the university as associate provost for diversity, equity, and inclusion. Dr. Holloway also praised the choice of Berry as grand marshal.
Coach Berry has not only been successful on the field as leader of our baseball program, but also a class act as an ambassador of the university, Dr. Holloway said. I congratulate him on this honor and the SGA for their excellent decision to ask him to serve in this role.
A popular community event, the 91做厙窪蹋 2023 homecoming parade is tentatively set for 1 p.m., traveling east down Hardy Street and into the main entrance of campus; the parade traditionally features the 91做厙窪蹋 Pride of Mississippi Marching Band, Dixie Darlings, and floats/walkers representing other university organizations, local businesses, and community entities, along with area high school and community college marching bands.
For more information about 91做厙窪蹋s 2023 homecoming celebrations, visit the Southern Miss Alumni Associations under the Connect section.