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Mississippi College Family Mourns Passing of Track Coach Mike McMillan


Mike McMillan, MC track standout Morgan Tynes of Waynesboro and former Assistant Track Coach Camille Ross

Cheering Mississippi College hoops teams at the Golden Dome, visiting with members of the MC family or helping coach the Choctaws track squad, Mike McMillan, Jr. faithfully promoted the Blue & Gold.

A friend to many in the MC family for decades, McMillan died Saturday after suffering a catastrophic brain hemorrhage at his home in Clinton Saturday. The beloved Christian gentleman was 73.

Mississippi College family and friends are invited to a memorial service is scheduled for 10 a.m. Wednesday November 11 at Provine Chapel on the Clinton campus.

A stellar volunteer coach with the MC track team in recent years, Mike befriended student-athletes, coaches, faculty and others at the Christian university. The Clinton resident showed a tireless love for his 5,000-student alma mater.

Cross Country and Track Head Coach Butch Ard expressed his deep gratitude for McMillan’s many accomplishments and devotion to assist MC student-athletes.

“Mike was a man of extreme faith and extreme encouragement,” Ard said. “This team was his life. He knew everyone’s name, everyone’s event and everyone’s faith. This team is really going to miss him.”

Athletic Director Mike Jones calls McMillan’s death “a terrible loss for the Mississippi College athletics family. He loved us and we loved him. Mike was probably the most encouraging man I’ve ever known. He will really be missed.”

When Mike wasn’t working with MC cross country and track teams, he was often working out to stay fit. Mike was regularly running laps at the Baptist Healthplex indoor track, or exercising with many of the machines at the fitness center on the Clinton campus – from the bike to the treadmill. Between his exercises, he expressed a kind word for people.

“I always enjoyed seeing him at the Baptist Healthplex,” said Mississippi College Kinesiology Department Chairman Chris Washam. “He always had a nice smile. He was one of the nicest people I’ve met since I moved here.”

Born on July 29, 1942 to Mr. and Mrs. H.W. McMillan, Mike was a Hattiesburg native who attended Hattiesburg public schools. He spent two years in the U.S. Navy beginning with his enlistment in 1960. His stint included several deployments in the Mediterranean. And McMillan was on board the U.S.S. Wrangell in 1962 when the ship participated in the Cuban Blockade. He was assigned to the vessel as a radarman and a petty officer. He was honorably discharged from the Navy in August 1962.

McMillan attended the University of Southern Mississippi in 1963-64 before transferring to Mississippi College where he graduated in 1966. Active in student life on the Clinton campus, Mike played wingback on the Choctaws football team, wrote stories for the Mississippi Collegian and was a member of the Circle K Men’s Club. He worked as a salesman in the insurance field for many years and returned to Mississippi in 1977 as general manager with Protective Life Insurance Company.

He and his wife, Cathy, a retired MC staff member, have five children. Mike loved his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and earnestly read the Scriptures. He wouldn’t miss a moment to pray for others in need.

Washam remembers Coach McMillan for posting motivational messages for members of the cross country and track teams at the Baptist-affiliated university’s cafeteria.

While he was a “volunteer” coach, McMillan worked diligentlywith head Coach Butch Ard and always loved sharing stories with listeners to promote MC’s student-athletes.

Kinesiology professor Suzanne McDonough says McMillan worked “tirelessly” with Coach Ard to help him “develop the athletes into their greatest potential. He always had an encouraging word for me and my training.”