I'm crying as I type this, so bear with me. This hits home on so many levels, and having followed Alex's journey, it pains me to tell her story..in past tense.
Alex Wilcox, who inspired the softball community with her courageous battle with ovarian cancer, passed away in her hometown of Brantley, Ala., on Monday evening. She was 18.
"Alex will always be remembered by her smile.", MSU softball head coach Vann Stuedeman said. "The bravest, most courageous young lady I have ever known went through the toughest battle with a smile on her face every day. The grace and beauty that she put forward while suffering this horrific disease was truly remarkable and nothing short of heroic. Our hearts are broken for her family and all of those that loved her so dearly. The Mississippi State softball family will strive to humbly honor her warrior mentality and faith-filled heart. She will be forever missed."
Diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2015, Wilcox defied the odds and continued to play softball throughout her treatments and help lead Brantley High School to multiple state championships. Wilcox signed with the Bulldogs in 2016.
Despite being in the midst of chemotherapy treatments, Alex played in eight games with three starts over her freshman season.
If you've followed Ale'x journey, you know that Mississippi State softball rallied around Wilcox throughout the 2018 season with its "No One Fights Alone" campaign as the team wore teal uniforms during midweek contests to spread awareness for ovarian cancer and Alex's fight. Her constant positivity and determination throughout her battle drew support and praise from legends in the softball community like Olympians Michele Smith and Jessica Mendoza.
MSU's campaign sparked fire as teams across the SEC (the best conference in the Country) and the country rallied around Alex by wearing teal and sending messages of love and support. For their selfless efforts to support, all 13 SEC softball programs were awarded the league's Sportsmanship Award earlier this month.
I played softball for 20 years and have never heard of such a HERO. My sincerest thoughts and prayers go out to everyone who loved her dearly and to everyone that her story will touch for years to come.
"You are never really gone until the last person you touched forgets you." I have a feeling Alex Wilcox's legacy will live forever.