1974 grad still enjoying coaching success

Just to show how old I and the class of 1974 are getting, there wasn't a girls' basketball team when we graduated in 1974.

The sport which was halted decades earlier (matter of fact Sue Smith's mother was a stand-out) started back again for the 1974-75 campaign.

At least one local young lady didn't get a chance to display her skills while still in high school.

She did go on to play at Western Kentucky University and probably goes down as one of the best female athletes ever produced in Taylor County.

And, not too many people in the last three decades have probably ever heard of her.

The other day over the normal lunch at Jeff's Food Mart, Mike Ware asked me a question that I couldn't readily answer. But, I did some research through google and here's the answer to Ware's question of "whatever happened to Matilda Willis."

After playing at WKU, Willis (now Matilda Willis Mossman) went on to be the head coach at the University of Arkansas (three seasons) and Kansas State University (six years).

And, several men softball players around here have told me that, in our heyday, she could hold her own as an outfielder with anyone around - man or woman.

Willis, now the mother of sons, got out of coaching for awhile but has enjoyed enormous success, once again, on the prep scene as the head girls' coach at Norman (Okla.) High School.

That's how I tracked her down because of her team winning the 2005 state title.

So, I used another great invention (e-mail) and contacted her on Thursday and got this response.

"Wow, I knew you were a sports editor but it appears you have turned into an investigative reporter. Isn't Google.com wonderful?

"I have been at Norman High School now for six years, have had great players and as a result have had great team success.

"This year alone we had Norman High graduates playing (and starting) at Oklahoma State, Kansas, Tulsa, New Orleans, Northeastern State (Okla.), Oklahoma City University and Seminole State Junior College.

"We did win the state championship in 2005 and also went to the state tournament in 2004, 2006, 2007 and 2008. We lost in the state semifinals this year.

"Personally, after being married for 20 years, I got divorced two years ago. My sons are 20 and 16. We are all doing fine.

"When Travis Ford was recently hired at Oklahoma State, it was nice to keep reading that he got his coaching start at Campbellsville University.

"Thanks for touching base. It is always good to hear from people that I don't see all that often."

Willis Mossman still has relatives in the community.

Mike Ware, you asked and now you know?