Kent Willis has spent his entire adult life working in baseball, at every level and in almost every role possible.

The place that gave him his start noticed, and gave him a reward that left him at a loss for words.

Willis, Vicksburg High’s baseball head coach, was one of five people selected as part of the Southern Miss M-Club Alumni Association’s Hall of Fame Class of 2024. He’ll officially be inducted Nov. 8 in Hattiesburg.

The other inductees are football player Luke Johnson; men’s basketball player Berlin Ladner; track and field athlete Cedric Norman; women’s volleyball player Kelsea Seymour Weldon; and men’s assistant basketball coach Robert McInnis.

“USM is my family. USM has been my lifeline. USM has been my school I’ve been very proud of. To have an opportunity to now be part of USM for the rest of my life is something that can’t be taken away,” Willis said. “I’m Black and Gold.”

Willis only played one season at Southern Miss. The Columbus native transferred to USM from North Alabama in 1985, sat out that season because of NCAA transfer rules, and then led the team in appearances (16), earned run average (2.89), strikeouts (140) and victories (9) in 1986. Southern Miss finished 31-30, which was a school record for wins at the time.

Willis then turned pro and embarked on his long career in baseball. He played six seasons in the minor league organizations of the Reds, Royals and Expos, then worked 16 more as a minor league coach with the Atlanta Braves.

He had several stints as a high school coach in Mississippi after leaving the Braves, and eventually landed at Vicksburg High in 2023. He’s also continued to coach in a college wood bat league during the summer.

“As a young kid you often times think about what it would be like when you get in the game. I think everybody has dreams. You start playing, and you come from a small town, you don’t know what you can reach until you get after it. All you do is go out there each and every day and lay it on the line,” Willis said. “To reach this milestone and be in the game as long as I have is a blessing. God has been good to me and given me a life in this field.”

Willis said he just tried to do his job every day and never thought he was building a hall of fame career — until earlier this year, when he was on the list of nominees for the M-Club Hall of Fame.

The alumni association inducted its first class in 1965 and adds about a half-dozen new members each year. Willis was hopeful he’d make the cut this time, but still surprised when he did.

“You hold your breath and wish for it, hope for it, and wonder how amazing that would be, but you just kind of let it ride because you never know,” he said. “I played there in 1986 and now it’s 2024 and a lot of things have happened in that time. I’m so thankful that you made a difference at a place where you make your home.”

And, Willis added, Southern Miss is home. His children, sisters and other family members have all attended the school and he’s a lifetime member of the alumni association. Now, he’s a bonafide living legend as well.

“You never know where this game or life will take you. I went to school for baseball. My parents weren’t (financially) blessed, but they gave me the support. You’re thankful you’re able to reward them for supporting you and giving me the opprtunity to do it. This is one small way to let them know that I appreciate it,” Willis said. “All my siblings, coaches, everybody along the way, I’m humbled to be in this group.”