2019

Mickey Davis grew up in Ware Shoals and was a natural athlete. She played basketball for Ware Shoals, averaging 33.6 points per game her senior year, and was greatly influenced by legendary Coach Bob Johnston. She attended Winthrop College, completing a degree in Physical Education, Health and Recreation. Later, she earned a Masters’ degree from Whittier College in Whittier, CA in School Administration, Psychology, and Biology.

After college, she became a teacher and coach and began a distinguished career in amateur softball from 1964 – 1976, playing for the Atlanta Tomboys, Orlando Rebels, and the Orange, CA Lionettes. Six years in a row, Davis was named an ASA All-American (1967-73). In seven national championships, she had a perfect fielding percentage of 1.000. In 1968, she played in three national championships in three different sports – USVBA Volleyball, AAU Basketball, and ASA Softball! When the Lionettes won the 1969 ASA national championship and the right to represent the US in the International Softball Federation World Championship in Osaka, Japan, Davis batted .375 earning her the leading hitter honors in the championship tournament.

After her amateur career, Mickey played all four seasons the Women’s Professional Softball League existed. She played for the Santa Ana Lionettes in 1976-77, the Buffalo Bisons in 1978, and the New York Golden Apples in 1979.

In 1979 Mickey began her college teaching and coaching career at Golden West Community College in California. Her team won four state softball championships, and 35 of her student-athletes moved on to Division 1 programs on full athletic scholarships. In 1984 she was inducted into the ASA National Softball Hall of Fame. Later that year, she joined the Los Angeles Olympic Committee as Youth Services Program Director. She continued to work in the United States Olympic movement, including serving as local sports coordinator for the 1991 Olympic Festival where she recruited and trained over 200 volunteers. She served as an Ambassador to North Korea for the International Softball Federation in 1992. In 1993 she was Site Director where trials were held to select the first US Women’s Olympic Softball Team, and she continued working as a consultant in 1995-96 to prepare for the 1996 Olympics held in Columbus, GA.

She was selected to throw the ceremonial first pitch at the Games, USA vs. Japan, in recognition of her efforts to promote women’s fast pitch softball in the US and abroad. Later, she served as Chair of the Global Committee for Athletes’ Rights, advocating for athletes to be treated fairly by their governing bodies in all nations throughout the world.

Davis spent 16 years at Long Beach City College (LBCC) where she served as Dean of Physical Education/Athletics and Athletic Director. During her time at LBCC, the athletic teams won 25 state titles and three national championships, and the college received the highest national honor two years in a row for community college athletic programs, the Pepsi Cup. Legendary Oklahoma University coach, Patty Gasso, started her college coaching career at LBCC and considers Davis an influential mentor. Coach Gasso has achieved seven national championships at OU so far, earning the nickname “7 Natty Patty.”

Davis has served as a softball clinician throughout the world, been recognized for her leadership in women's athletics, and has been inducted into 10 Halls of Fame.

Ware Shoals School District 51

Mickey Davis Field Dedication

Mickey Davis Bio

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