The Enduring Legacy of Alex Wilcox
In the world of softball, certain names transcend stats and scoreboards. They become symbols—of hope, of resilience, and of the power of the human spirit. One of those names is Alex Wilcox.
Alex, a standout talent from Brantley, Alabama, left an unforgettable mark on the softball world before her life was tragically cut short in 2018 due to ovarian cancer. Yet in the time she was given, she did more than most do in a lifetime—both on and off the field.
Diagnosed with ovarian cancer at just 15 years old, Alex refused to let her diagnosis define her. Instead, she fought with everything she had, continuing to play the game she loved while undergoing chemotherapy and treatment. She helped lead Brantley High School to multiple state championships and earned a scholarship to play softball at Mississippi State University.
Despite the toll of her illness, Alex never stopped competing. During her freshman season at Mississippi State, she appeared in eight games, collecting three hits, including her first collegiate knock against UMass Lowell. She did all of this while balancing treatment and a full academic course load—earning a spot on the SEC Honor Roll.
Her courage captured the hearts of not only the Mississippi State community but also the wider softball world. Olympians like Jessica Mendoza and Michele Smith voiced their support for Alex, and her team launched a “No One Fights Alone” campaign, donning teal uniforms during midweek games to raise awareness for ovarian cancer and stand with their teammate in her fight.
“Alex was an amazing young woman,” said Mississippi State head coach Samantha Ricketts.
“She was such a bright light—she loved Jesus, she loved her family and friends, and to laugh, dance, and have fun. Even in the midst of her battle she always had a smile on her face and was excited to go to practice or workouts. Softball was something she truly enjoyed doing with her friends. She was also extremely competitive and did not let anything hold her back from her goals.”
Coach Ricketts believes Alex’s impact was magnified through the unity of the softball community.
“Her fight against ovarian cancer and the way the entire softball world rallied around her truly showed why the softball community is so special. The support from programs, players, and organizations across the country proved that no one fights alone in their battles—both big and small.”
Alex’s influence reached far beyond the SEC.
Richard Shea, owner and general manager of the Birmingham Thunderbolts—the travel softball organization Alex played for—remembers her not just as a talented athlete, but as a deeply courageous and selfless teammate.
“Alex was a remarkable role model for anyone facing a serious illness,” Shea shared.
“Her motto was ‘Never Give Up,’ and she truly lived by those words. After being diagnosed with ovarian cancer as a young girl, Alex continued to play softball for as long as she could. Even when she was too sick from treatments and too weak to play, she never missed a chance to support her teammates from the sidelines, cheering them on with unwavering spirit. Her courage, determination, and selflessness continue to inspire everyone who knew her.”
To this day, Alex’s legacy continues to shape the Thunderbolts organization.
“She exemplified hard work, determination, and courage,” Shea said. “There’s no telling how great she could’ve become had she not been impacted by cancer. But her impact isn’t measured by what could’ve been—it’s measured by the lives she touched.”
The Thunderbolts have taken intentional steps to ensure Alex is never forgotten. Her jersey number, #8, was retired and remains the only retired number in the organization’s history. A tribute to her hangs in their facility, and Shea speaks about Alex to every class of Thunderbolts players during tournaments and their annual signing event.
“Alex’s legacy is something we are all proud of,” he said.
“The Thunderbolts organization is a true, cohesive, family-oriented group; we aren’t just a collection of teams sharing the same jersey. We have a page on our website to honor Alex and ensure that no one ever forgets how wonderful she was. Alex was buried with her Bolts jersey. #8 is hers forever. I speak about her to the girls every year at tournaments and at our December signing party. It’s hard for me to get the words out most times, but the kids need to hear this message. I tell them about how hard she worked and how much she cared about the Bolts. I remind them that the jersey they wear represents something bigger than any one of us.”
“Players like Alex set the standard for our organization, and every generation has a responsibility to carry that legacy forward.”
In honor of Alex, all Thunderbolts teams wear teal jerseys every Saturday—an idea that started with the organization and has since expanded across the sport. Most notably, the Southeastern Conference dedicates a weekend each spring where every SEC softball team wears teal in Alex’s memory and to raise awareness for ovarian cancer.
That weekend is now known as the “All for Alex, SEC Goes Teal” campaign, which began as a partnership between Beth Torina at LSU and Vann Stuedeman at MSU. Torina created the Geaux Teal Foundation during her own mother’s battle with ovarian cancer.
“Every year the weekend grows and now includes other universities outside of the SEC,” Ricketts shared.
“It is special to see all of the teams, coaches, and fans come together to support such an important cause. Ovarian cancer is often not caught until the later stages, so educating the women in our programs, our fanbases, and in our lives has become the mission.”
“This battle against ovarian cancer is bigger than one young woman, but by honoring Alex and keeping her legacy alive, we are able to reach far more than we ever expected and continue to share and honor her story and the message that no one truly fights alone.”
Continued Legacy Through Scholarship & Awareness
Much of the ongoing awareness and support efforts are coordinated closely with the Geaux Teal Foundation, which was co-founded by LSU’s Beth Torina to honor her own mother’s battle with ovarian cancer. Through this partnership and others, Alex’s legacy continues to touch lives.
“A lot of what we do is run in coordination with the Geaux Teal Foundation,” shared Kassidy Wilcox Lee, Alex’s sister. “There is a small scholarship given at Brantley in her legacy.”
Additionally, ESPN’s Holly Rowe has established a scholarship in remembrance of Alex. The scholarship is named the Alex Wilcox Memorial Scholarship, honoring Alex and ensuring her legacy lives on forever on the softball field.
Beyond the uniforms and symbols, Alex’s story is one of grit, joy, and unity. She reminded the softball community—and everyone watching—that strength isn’t always loud. Sometimes, it shows up in quiet consistency, relentless encouragement, and the decision to show up, even on the hardest days.
Alex Wilcox’s legacy lives on in every teal jersey, every young girl who hears her story, and every team who chooses to play with heart over ego. She showed the world that “Never Give Up” wasn’t just a motto—it was a way of life.
Her jersey may be retired, but her impact never will be.
For more heartfelt stories, visit our Overcoming Adversity page at Extra Inning Softball.
