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LaGrange High graduate Jamarion Wilkerson (‘24) has found a new home at Ole Miss. The former Granger has, somewhat surprisingly, found his new niche with the Rebels’ softball team, with whom he spends a good portion of his non-school time with.

Wilkerson’s role with the softball team encompasses a wide range of tasks.

“I do all kinds of stuff, from helping warm up the players, doing data analytics, video recording, measuring pitch speed, pretty much anything they ask,” Wilkerson said. “I really came into this role with an open mind.

“I think I probably do a lot more than some of the other student assistants just because I’m more involved on a day-to-day basis and I just can’t sit still,” he added with a chuckle.

No part of the role brings Wilkerson more joy than sitting behind home plate measuring the speed of pitches and then breaking it down with the players after the game. 

Wilkerson is now a consistent presence at Ole Miss softball games, both at home and on the road. The road trips can be difficult to juggle alongside his school work, but Wilkerson would have it no other way.

“The home games are definitely more chill, but it’s fun going to new stadiums and new places and just getting to see new environments,” he said. “I actually got to see one of my old friends when we went to Florida Atlantic.”

The work that Wilkerson has been doing with Ole Miss softball has seen him have a change of heart when it comes to his career outlook. Wilkerson has already shifted his major to better align with his passions.

“So I went in with law as my major and with a minor in sports management, but now I’m shifting more towards just majoring in sports management,” he said. “

Wilkerson feels inspired to work in the athletic realm in some form or fashion when he graduates college. Partially inspired by the work of LaGrange High athletic director Mike Pauley, he feels a calling to work in athletics.

“Working with Ole Miss softball made me realize how good of a job coach Pauley does at LaGrange, how he manages everything there,” Wilkerson said. “Realizing that when I came here helped me decide that this is what I want to do for the rest of my life.”

Wilkerson has found a home on the sidelines. He plans to continue expanding his role and responsibilities as a student assistant before taking a role as a grad assistant. One day in the not-so-distant future, he might just be going by coach Wilkerson. 

Wilkerson arrived at Ole Miss in August hungry to find a role with an athletic team after spending much of his final years at LaGrange High helping the golf team and others. He had no idea what program he wanted to work with, casting a wide net before hearing back from the softball team.

Despite moving across two state lines, it has been an easy transition for Wilkerson. The Ole Miss freshman just has a knack for making connections wherever he goes.

“It hasn’t been as bad as I thought it was going to be, because some of my closest friends from home came here with me. So, it’s really just us all adjusting together,” Wilkerson said. “More  LaGrange people coming here has made my transition a lot easier.”

Ole Miss is now home for Wilkerson and he is not a hard man to find on campus. If it’s softball season, you can find him at the softball diamond.