A pair of former Bear greats will take their rightful place in the Southwest Athletics Hall of Fame Saturday during 2025 Homecoming Ceremonies. Maggie Jackson Slaton who shined on the softball diamond and Stacey Mack who was a force on the football field will be honored.
 
MAGGIE JACKSON SLATON
Maggie Jackson Slaton, a native of McComb, Mississippi, is a proud 2008 graduate of Parklane Academy, where she was a standout multi-sport athlete in both softball and basketball. During her high school career, she helped lead her team to a state championship, earned MAIS All-State honors in both sports, and was named MVP of the MAIS All-Star Game, demonstrating her excellence on the court and field.

She continued her softball career at Southwest Mississippi Community College, proudly carrying on a rich family legacy, her grandparents, parents, sister, brother-in-law, aunts, uncles, and many cousins also attended Southwest. As a Lady Bear, Maggie earned Region 23 All-Region Team, MACJC First-Team All-State honors, was selected to the All-Academic Team, inducted into the Academic Hall of Fame, and was a member of Phi Theta Kappa.
Maggie then transferred to Delta State University, where she continued her softball career, and was named to the Softball All-Academic Team. She also received the prestigious Statesman Award, recognizing excellence in academics, athletics, and leadership. 

After earning her degree in Elementary Education, Maggie returned to Parklane Academy to teach and coach, helping lead the softball team to two state championships. She later joined the softball coaching staff at Southwest Mississippi Community College, helping lead the Lady Bears to their first winning season in program history, a milestone achievement that reflected her skill and impact as a coach. Continuing her educational journey, she earned a Master's degree in Sports Management from Jackson State University.

She later taught in Ocean Springs, Mississippi, and now resides in Orange Beach, Alabama, where she has spent the past five years. There, she serves as a math coach, working closely with teachers to strengthen instructional practices, analyze student data, and support curriculum implementation across grade levels. Maggie was also honored as Teacher of the Year and recently earned the Above and Beyond Award in her district. Through her collaboration with colleagues, the school has achieved some of the highest academic scores in the state and continues its rise as one of Alabama's top-performing schools.

Maggie and her husband, Ben Slaton, have been married for nearly ten years and are the proud parents of three children: Maddie (8), Cooper (6), and Mia (2). Of all the roles Maggie has held, being a wife and mother is by far her favorite. She considers it her greatest joy and highest calling. 
 
STACEY MACK
Stacey Lamar Mack is an American former professional football player. Mack was born on June 26, 1975 and attended Southwest Community College in Summit, MS from 1995-1997. He then transferred to Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Mack signed as an undrafted free agent with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 1999 and split time in his five-year NFL career with both the Jaguars and Houston Texans.


Slaton and Mack will join Alumnus of the Year Dr. Gerald "Doc" "Jerry" Hollingsworth as the 2025 homecoming honorees.