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Former Jackson Aggie inducted into EMJC Hall of Fame
Courtney graduated from Jackson High School in 1953. At the time there were only three sports offered at JHS; football, basketball and baseball. He lettered in all three and was selected captain of the football and baseball teams his senior year. His mother suffered from a serious illness and later a subsequent heart attack depleted his father's financial resources so college was not an option for Courtney. However, in the summer following his graduation, while playing semi-pro baseball, A.L met EMJC football Coach Roy Knapp. Knapp, who coached at Chatom for several years, convinced Courtney to come to EMJC in the fall of 1953 on a full athletic scholarship. Coach Knapp's decision to offer Courtney a scholarship turned out to be a good one for both involved. Courtney started every game for the football and baseball team his freshman and sophomore years. He played center and linebacker on the football team and catcher on the baseball squad. He was selected captain of the football team because of his outstanding leadership skills. He led the Lions to the Junior College State Championship his sophomore year. In the state championship game, he drove in four of the nine runs scored by EMJC to beat Pear River 9-8. In his two years at EMJC, he batted .333, had a slugging percentage of over .800, and in only 20 games during his sophomore year he belted 12 home runs. He was a leader off the field as well. While at EMJC, he was elected college favorite, president of the freshman class, a member of the student council and president of the Baptist Student Union. It was during this time that he felt the call to go into ministry. Although Courtney was offered several professional baseball contracts after his years at EMJC, he declined to answer God's call to preach. He followed his calling for 50 years. Courtney continued his education at Howard College (now Samford University) in Birmingham. He lettered in both football and baseball before his playing career was cut short by an injury. Courtney and his wife Myra now reside in Pell City where he was the pastor of the Pell City Baptist Church for more than 20 years. Even though Pell City is now home for Courtney, he has not forgotten about Jackson. "I spent 12 years of my life in Jackson. It is a great place to live and grow up," Courtney said. He credits everything he learned to one of Jackson High School's most successfully coaches. "Everything I learned from football and baseball as well as life came from John D. Simpkins. He was my coach at Jackson High School," Courtney said.
Info from East Mississippi Junior college.
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