July 19, 2012

HATTIESBURG, Miss. - Former Southern Miss running back Bucky McElroy, considered one of the greatest running backs in the history of the school because of his elusive moves and powerful running, passed away Wednesday at the age of 83.

McElroy ranks as the sixth all-time leading rusher in the history of Southern Miss football with 2,560 yards. He also ranks 12th in career rushing attempts with 459 and his career rushing average of 5.6 yards per carry is tied for ninth best in school history. He also tallied 24 career rushing touchdowns which ranks tied for 11th in the school's history.

Just last year, McElroy was inducted into the Southern Miss Legends Club becoming one of just 13 individuals or teams associated with this prestigious group. He was inducted into the Southern Miss M-Club Hall of Fame in 1967 and the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame in 1981.

McElroy saw considerable action during the 1951 season for Coach Thad "Pie" Vann and helped lead Southern Miss to a 6-5 record and the Gulf States Conference Championship. That season McElroy carried more than anyone else on the team, 155 times, and rushed for a team high 854 yards and seven touchdowns. He also caught three passes for 12 yards, returned 13 kickoffs for a 21.2 yard average, returned three punts for a 10.3 yard average and even threw six passes and completed one.

The 1951 season saw McElroy rush for a career high 181 yards on Nov. 10, against Alabama. He also ran for 125 yards on Oct. 20, against Southeastern Louisiana.

McElroy again led the team in carries during the successful 1952 season when the team would finish 10-2 and play The College of the Pacific in the Sun Bowl in El Paso. That year, McElroy rushed 170 times for 1,069 yards and scored 10 touchdowns. He averaged an incredible 6.28 yards per carry that year.

Four times in 1952, McElroy rushed for over 100 yards in a game. His 100-plus games that year included: Memphis 164 (9/27), Southwestern Louisiana 162 (10/11), vs. Stetson 125 (11/27) and vs. Tampa 100 (10/4).

The 1953 team with McElroy would finish 9-2 and again play in the Sun Bowl, this time against UTEP. McElroy rushed for 637 yards and seven touchdowns, despite playing injured some of the year. He again proved to be one of the most versatile players in school history, punting 34 times for a 33.4 yard average, catching two passes for 20 yards and a touchdown, returned two kickoffs for a 10.5 yard average and intercepted two passes. He rushed only once for over 100 yards in a game that year, 104 against Tennessee-Chattanooga.

McElroy, who was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the 7th round of the 1953 draft, played briefly for the Hamilton Tiger Cats of the Canadian Football League after finishing at Southern Miss.

A memorial service will be held at St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Monroe, on Fri., July 20, at 4 p.m. Visitation will precede the service beginning at 2 p.m.

McElroy was born in West Monroe, La., on January 23, 1929. He attended Monroe Public Schools, and graduated from Neville High School and then Hinds Junior College before heading to Southern Miss.

He worked for James Machine Works for 39 years before retiring as President in 1995. He was a long time member of St. Paul's United Methodist Church. He is survived by his wife, Joy James McElroy; daughter, Susan M. Weaver; son, Paul M. McElroy; grandchildren, Robin W. Reynolds, Jeffrey M. Weaver and wife, Erin F. Weaver, Samantha A. McElroy, Ellie A. McElroy; great-grandchild, Jake McElroy Weaver.

In Lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Paul's United Methodist Church or the Northeast Louisiana Food Bank at 4600 Central Avenue, Monroe, LA 71203.