CHRISTIAN COACHES            CORNER                                       Paul          Paul Allen Duke is entering his 16th season as Mississippi College’s women’s basketball coach, is the winningest coach in his sport in school history and has never had a losing season at MC. His winning percentage (.720) is among the best in Division III in the nation. Duke has been named American Southwest Conference East Division Coach of the Year five times, led the Lady Choctaws to five ASC East Division titles, one ASC Tournament championships and one NCAA Tournament appearance. He coached at Woodland Hills Baptist Academy, St. Andrew’s Episcopal School and Sylva-Bay Academy where he served as athletic director, head football coach and head boys and girls basketball coach. Duke graduated from Heritage Academy and Mississippi State and received a master’s degree from Mississippi College. Duke and his wife, Cathy, have been married for two and half years and are members of First United Methodist Church in Ridgeland. Cathy has two children, Whitney Godbold, who lives in Ridgeland and Adam Hancock, who lives in Hattiesburg.         "When I think about the blessing in my life, three significant ones come to mind. First of all, I was fortunate to have two strong and loving parents. My dad taught me the value of hard work, discipline, and integrity. There were many a Saturday growing up when I had to finish my chores before I could run off to the river and ski! At the time I thought it was terrible but now I know my dad was trying to teach me responsibility and discipline. My mom was and has always been one of my biggest supporters and fans. In fact, she taught me to play basketball as a small child and instilled the love of the game that I still have now. I thank God that my parents had lots of patience with me. I have made some mistakes in my life, but they have always been there for me and never given up on me. In 1988, God led me to Mississippi College. My career and life at this wonderful school has been a blessing in so many ways. The special long term friendships I have with other coaches, teachers and staff are a constant source of comfort to me. Many of these people have been instrumental in helping me grow as a person and a Christian. I was able to obtain my Masters from Mississippi College in 1989.   I get to recruit and coach some of the highest character athletes in America. MC attracts and then nurtures young adults of high character and great ability. It is so special to me to have kids I coached 15 to 20 years ago call me up just to say hello and tell me what is going on in their lives. The third significant blessing of my life came when I married my wife Cathy. Most of my adult life, I have been single. While I was happy and enjoying life, I always felt that something was missing or just not right. Finding this wonderful Christian woman to share my life with brings me joy, happiness, and peace. Not only is she my partner in life, but she is also my best friend. My favorite bible verse is 2 Corinthians 1:9-11. Rely not on yourselves, but on God…He delivered us…He will deliver us…He will continue to deliver us."             CHRISTIAN SPORTS MESSAGE   (Thursday, August 19, 2010)                 Emmitt Smith, the NFL's all-time leader in rushing yards, gave one of the most inspirational acceptance speeches in the history of the NFL's Hall of Fame earlier this month. And he led it off by thanking our God.                 "Thank you to my Lord and savior Jesus Christ for blessing me to play the sport I so dearly love for almost three decades," Smith said to start off his 22 minute speech. Smith, a Pensacola, Fla., native and former University of Florida standout, ran for 18,355 yards in his 15-year career, mostly with the Dallas Cowboys, to break Walter Payton's record. Smith, who retired in 2004, is the only running back in NFL history to win the Super Bowl, NFL MVP, win the rushing title and Super Bowl MVP in the same year. He did that in 1993.                  While Smith is an incredible athlete, he knows he couldn't do anything of it without the Lord and gives Him credit throughout his speech. Go to youtube.com and do a search and Emmitt Smith's Hall of Fame speech to watch and listen to his emotional speech.          Victories magazine posts a new message on a local, regional or national Christian athlete, coach or sports figure every few weeks. To read previous messages, click on Christian Sports Message on the left side of this home page.   NEW COVER     Check out the new cover for the next issue of Victories in Metro Jackson. Show above, clockwise from top left, are Madison-Ridgeland Academy coach Brian Smith, Hillcrest Christian and Ole Miss alumnus and current Colorado Rockies outfielder Seth Smith, East Rankin Academy and Delta State signee basketball player Brooke Rhodes, Brandon High quarterback Caleb Jett and Jackson Prep alumnus and current Samford, Ala., University cheerleader Allison Hubbard. NEXT ISSUE Check out these features in the next issue of Victories in Metro Jackson magazine: Former Ole Miss and Hillcrest Christian star Seth Smith, now with the Colorado Rockies; East Rankin Academy's Dandy Dozen basketball player Brooke Rhodes; former Jackson Prep cheerleader Allison Hubbard, now at Samford University; former Jackson Academy multi-sport athlete Jessica Arnold; Brandon High football-basketball standout Caleb Jett; Christian Coaches Corner testimonies from Hinds Community College baseball coach Dan Rives; Madison-Ridgeland Academy football coach Brian Smith; Simpson Academy football coach Billy Wayne Hankins and Co-Lin baseball coach Keith Case; from the heart testimonies from Ole Miss offensive lineman Reid Neely of Jackson Academy; Southern Miss pitcher Todd McInnis of Northwest Rankin and Mississippi State catcher Scott DeLoach of Madison Central; and updates on former Ridgeland standout Sarah Jimenez and Ole Miss soccer player Mallory Coleman of Clinton.