Portrait of a legend: Keyes Currie honored by EMCC

By Staff
IN MEMORY J. K. Briggs presents Katherine Currie with a portrait in memory of her late husband, Keyes Currie, as former East Mississippi Community College players look on. Photo by Paula Merritt/The Meridian Star
By Marty Stamper/staff writer
Jan. 11, 2002
SCOOBA  When it comes to basketball at East Mississippi Community College, the first name that immediately comes to mind is that of the late Keyes T. Currie Sr.
Currie spent 32 years at what was then called East Mississippi Junior College as either coach or athletic director.
Between games Thursday night with Meridian Community College, EMCC honored Currie again with the unveiling of a portrait designed by Michelle Ridout of Village Prints in Florence, Ala.
While at EMJC, Currie had 32 all-state performers and eight NJCAA All-Americans.
The Lions finished state runner-up four times and played in seven regional tournaments and one small college national tournament. Only seven of his seasons ended with losing records.
A native of Raleigh, Currie's high school team won a state championship in basketball. The thrill of winning apparently stuck with Currie.
He also won state championships as a coach at Collinsville High School before joining the junior college ranks. One of his Collinsville teams is credited with going an incredible 62-0.
His 1954 EMJC Lions were undefeated before losing to Itawamba in the state championship game.
One of those who knew Currie from his beginning at EMJC is current EMCC president Dr. Thomas L. "Tommy" Davis Jr.
While Currie was undeniably successful on the court, Davis admired his classroom skills just as much.
Currie is as well-known with EMCC basketball as Bull Sullivan is with the team's football program and Gerald Poole is with the school's baseball program.
Currie was previously recognized by EMCC when the school named its gymnasium in his honor on Jan. 16, 1986. Today it is known as the Currie Coliseum and is the home of the Lion and Lady Lion basketball teams.
Currie died on April 29, 1989, at the age of 71.
He was inducted into the EMCC Sports Hall of Fame on Oct. 20, 2001.
The EMCC Keyes Currie Memorial Division is selling prints of Currie for $50 each. To purchase a print, send a check for $50 to the EMCC Development Foundation, Keyes Currie Print, P.O. Box 188, Scooba, MS 39358.
The original painting is being auctioned. Bids may be submitted at the same address or by e-mail at dbryan@emcc.cc.ms.us. Please include your name, address, and phone number. The auction winner will be announced on Feb. 21 at the final home games of the year.

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: Veteran Spotlight – Mousey Brown

News

Russellville First Baptist Church receives historical marker

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: Meeting a higher standard – Russellville High School JROTC

News

RCS BOE announces new superintendent  

News

Miss Dream Girl Pageant names winners

Franklin County

First Metro Bank hosts FAME Girls’ Ranch donation drive

News

PCHS holds annual Shelby Grissom Memorial Fashion Show

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: VFW Post 5184 – ‘No One Does More For Veterans’

Features

Supporting students’ futures

Features

Red Bay Garden Club discusses amaryllis planting

Franklin County

UA announces local students for fall 2023 President’s, Dean’s, graduation lists

News

School news

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: Veteran Spotlight – Troy Oliver

Franklin County

Appropriations bill passes, allots more than $3 million for new Russellville library/multipurpose center 

Franklin County

Franklin County Cattlemen’s Association names Cattleman of the Year 

Franklin County

Franklin County votes: Unofficial March 5 primary election results 

Franklin County

Funding for new Russellville library, multipurpose community center expected this week

Features

Faces of Franklin County: BTCPA

News

GFWC Russellville Book Lovers Club sponsors downtown art crawl

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: Veteran Spotlight – Cody Bragwell

Franklin County

42nd annual Miss RHS pageant names winners 

News

Miss RHS pageant takes place Friday

Franklin County

Political announcement: David Hester speaks about run for reelection as county commissioner

Franklin County

BTCPA auditions for final production of season take place March 3-4 

x