Bio

From 1980 through 1993, Fredna Cross spent 12 seasons as the head softball coach at Meridian Community College. Her teams posted a 344-185 record that included 4 Region XXIII championships and 3 NJCAA National Tournament appearances. In 1989, Fredna was named Athletic Director in addition to her coaching duties, making her the first female athletic director at a community college in Mississippi. Prior to taking over the duties of softball coach, Cross served MCC in the 1970s leading the “play teacher” program, training MCC students in physical education and recreational activities to implement in Meridian Public School elementary classes. Ms. Cross was a member of the committee that founded the Special Olympics Program in Mississippi. She went on to serve 25 years as Mississippi’s Area 5 Director for Special Olympics. Her commitment to Special Olympics was rewarded by the International Special Olympics Committee with the rarely awarded Hero Award. A 1951 honor graduate of MCC, Cross went on to earn a bachelor of science degree in Physical Education, Health, and Recreation from the University of Southern Mississippi and a master of education and a specialist certification from Livingston University.