SEC Softball Teams Unite for Annual ‘All for Alex’ Weekend

Every team in the SEC took part in the annual All for Alex campaign this weekend, donning teal across the league in memory of the late former Mississippi State player Alex Wilcox and to raise further awareness of ovarian cancer.

Wilcox was a member of the 2018 Mississippi State softball team and inspired the sports world with her courageous fight against ovarian cancer, a battle she waged while still playing softball. That fight ultimately took her life in the summer of 2018.

Following Wilcox’s passing, Mississippi State retired her #8 jersey, making her the first female student-athlete to receive such an honor in Starkville, and the SEC softball teams were jointly awarded the conference Sportsmanship Award for their support of Wilcox and the fight against ovarian cancer.

In 2019, the SEC coaches ratified the All for Alex campaign as an annual occurrence on the conference calendar; the awareness weekend took place for the third time in 2023.

Various events took place around the league as part of the endeavor this year, including the annual Geaux Teal walk in Baton Rouge that united the two programs who spearheaded the All for Alex campaign. LSU’s Beth Torina brought the Geaux Teal campaign to the softball world and she, along with Mississippi State head coach Samantha Ricketts, spearheaded the creation of the All for Alex endeavor.

Fly high 8 🦋#NoOneFightsAlone pic.twitter.com/QEWZntlbkh

— Mississippi State Softball (@HailStateSB) April 22, 2023

Beth Torina’s mom, Betty, a 13-year ovarian cancer survivor, threw out the ceremonial first pitch before the LSU vs. Mississippi State game at Tiger Park on Saturday.

Elsewhere around the league, in addition to teams donning teal jerseys, warm-up shirts, and uniform accents, fields and fans also took part in the awareness weekend. Georgia held a silent auction for their teal jerseys after their game on Saturday, which raised more than $3,000 for the Geaux Teal Ovarian Cancer Awareness Foundation.

The efforts to raise awareness and to remember Alex Wilcox also stretched beyond the SEC, with teams like Texas; Illinois; North Texas; and Arkansas-Pine Bluff joining in.

@geauxteal @LSUsoftball @HailStateSB United for the Cause pic.twitter.com/LoZG9hLgtl

— @uapblionsoftball (@UAPB_Softball) April 22, 2023

Today, we play to honor the life and legacy of Alex Wilcox, along with all those who have been impacted by ovarian cancer.

Thank you @candace_denis for taking time to talk to the team about Alex and her legacy w/ @HailStateSB.

🦋 No one fights alone 🦋 pic.twitter.com/sOmAJJ3riC

— Assistant Softball Coach, UNT (@CoachJayGwyn) April 22, 2023

For assistant coach @Vanntastic8, Strikeout Cancer Weekend hits close to home.

Read about Coach Stuedeman and her relationship with Alex Wilcox in this Fighting Illini Feature 🎗️#Illini | #HTTO | #StrikeoutCancerhttps://t.co/qPcZ9ndXod

— Illinois Softball (@IlliniSB) April 22, 2023

No one fights alone🦋

Today, we play to honor the life and legacy of Alex Wilcox along with all those who have been impacted by ovarian cancer. #AllforAlex | #HookEm pic.twitter.com/CfdFXfWiqX

— Texas Softball (@TexasSoftball) April 22, 2023