University School of Jackson graduate Preston Overbey, who helped lead the University of Mississippi to its first appearance in the 2014 College World Series, joins Mark Campbell, Jewuan Long, Meg Griffin Nethery and Jabriel Washington as inductees when the 35th annual Jackson-Madison County Sports Hall of Fame is held April 22.
The 2020-21 event will be held at 6:30 p.m., at the Carl Perkins Civic Center.
WNWS.COM – NEWS/TALK 101.5 FM & 93.1 FM – visited with Preston Overbey for a question and answer session about his career and selection into the hall of fame.
Question: What were your thoughts when you were first informed you had been selected as a member of the 2020 Jackson-Madison County Sports Hall of Fame?
Answer: I was very excited. I have watched the Hall of Fame ceremony and know some of the inducted members. It is something you watch and say to yourself, Wow! That would be really cool but you never imagine it actually coming true.
This is a top notch, well-respected organization and I am extremely honored. Athletes always set goals of becoming an all-star, all-state or even all-American but Hall of Fame is the highest achievement. I am extremely blessed to be a part of such a great 2020 class of inductees.
Question: You excelled in football, baseball and basketball in high school at the University School of Jackson. What was the deciding factor for you to choose baseball to play in college, and what was it like to balance your books while playing baseball?
Answer: I was taught at a young age to play as many sports as you possible and do your best at each one. I always believed and would say, if it was football season then I was a football player, basketball season I was a basketball player and baseball season I was a baseball player and I would focus only on that sport and that team.
Baseball has always been the sport that I could not play enough of. I spent every summer all the way through high school traveling to play baseball tournaments or attend high caliber showcases. I would play multiple games on Saturdays and Sundays then be at USJ on Mondays for early workouts for the upcoming football season.
I knew baseball was my calling and I wanted to play at the highest level possible. Being a student-athlete at USJ helped me learn how to handle my classes while being busy with sports so when I went to Ole Miss they had us so scheduled that we had to be disciplined in taking care of the class load because we traveled so much in the spring season.
I cannot thank enough each and every coach, teacher and tutor that went out of their way to help me be successful. Without them this would not be possible. Both USJ and Ole Miss offered me a lot of opportunities which I am grateful. I am a proud alumni of both.
Question: You played various sports with your brother, Jake, including baseball at Ole Miss for two years. How special was that time in your life?
Answer: It meant the world to me. I grew up having my brother as my best friend and a teammate. We would always compete with each other in whatever sport we could play at home even sports like ping pong. Sometimes I would win and sometimes Jake would win and sometimes it would get heated and my mom would say looks like nobody is winning today y’all are done playing.
At USJ, Jake was quarterback and I was a receiver and it was some of the best memories hearing Overbey to Overbey for the touchdown and we played in the State Championship game together. One of my most memorable moments in high school baseball was during my senior year against JCS Jake played shortstop and batted second, and I played thrid and batted third.
Jake hit a homerun and as we congratulated him as he crossed home plate he looked at me and said, “your turn,” and I ended up hitting a homerun in that at bat, so it was Overbey brothers back-to-back homeruns.
We did play games together at Ole Miss with Jake at shortstop and me at third (or) first base, and I even turned double plays with him when I played second. I can’t wait to see him in this Hall of Fame one day. He has my vote, and he 100% deserves it.
Question: You were recruited by various colleges. How did you narrow it down to Ole Miss, and what was the experience like – especially playing in the College World Series?
Answer: My college recruitment was a fun time and I really enjoyed the process. I have a big binder with all of the letters the college coaches sent me and the contacts from pro scouts. It is fun to look back at that book.
Ole Miss recruiting me early in high school summer ball and they kept steady through the whole process. On one of my visits there I could not believe how many fans were at the baseball games and how awesome their facilities were.
They told me I would play in front of 10,000 fans a game. They made me feel wanted the entire time I was being recruited. I had the opportunity to sign with the Tampa Bay Rays out of high school, but the thing that drove me to Ole Miss was the opportunity to succeed at an SEC college in school and baseball.
I knew I needed an education and degree and I felt Ole Miss was there to make sure I would be successful at both. From the first day I was there until the last it felt like home and I am still very happy with that decision.
The first thing you hear as a Rebel player is Omaha and The College World Series and to help Ole Miss achieve that my senior year was amazing to be a part of.
That year we set an Ole Miss record for most wins in a season, won the SEC West and finished third in the nation at the College World Series.
Question: You are pursuing a career in Law Enforcement. Would you tell us about the department you are working in at the Madison County Sheriff’s Office, and what are your goals?
Answer: After college I wanted to move back to Jackson and start my career here at home. The Madison County Sheriff’s Office gave me an opportunity to do that. I have been employed at the Sheriff’s Office for 6 years, and currently I am a K9 handler of my K9 partner Luna.
I am also a member of the S.W.A.T. And Interdiction teams. I enjoy what I do at the department and the career path I chose. The Sheriff’s Office is a great place to work. I have great supervisors and coworkers. It’s like a sports team with coaches and teammates we all try to work together and accomplish good things.
My goal is to be the best Law Enforcement Officer I can be. I want to continue to learn and do the best job I can everyday. I want to earn every promotion they award me and I want to help protect the community we all live in here in Jackson and Madison County.
A table for eight for the event is $500. For reservations, call Beth Sedberry (731) 616-8558.
(PHOTO: Preston Overbey)
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