Frances Gipson played basketball at PRCC from 1951-53, a time when it was a half-court game on both ends, and players were limited in how many times they could dribble.
"When I started playing basketball in high school (at Columbia), you could only dribble the ball one time, then we got into the half-court game and you could dribble the ball two times," recalls Gipson. "Then it was unlimited dribbling."
Gipson played her freshman season under her high school coach, Jamie Turnage, who came to PRCC as dean of women. 
Turnage stayed one year and was replaced by Woodrow Daley, who coached the boys and girls teams.
Gipson was a point-guard for the Wildcats, who sported winning records in both her years. As a sophomore she was voted "Best Girl Athlete" at PRCC.
"What I loved about Pearl River back then was the family-like atmosphere," she said. "We did not have that many students back then. The basketball team was especially close, mainly because several of us came down from Columbia together. That’s what I enjoyed about the school."
Gipson lived on campus in Batson Hall. "We worked in the dining hall, getting out the plates and bringing the food out for the students in big bowls," said Gipson.
She went on to graduate from Mississippi College in 1957 with an education degree. She spent some 30 years teaching at schools and junior colleges in Mississippi, Louisiana and Florida before retiring in 1994. 
"I am at a loss for words," said Gipson. "I didn’t do anything extra-ordinary, I didn’t think. This will be a place in my heart forever."