It has been over 20 years since Ole Miss student-athlete Joey Embry tragically died in a drowning accident, yet his legacy is continually expanded at the University of Mississippi among students whose scholarships bear his name.
“I think it’s a great idea to start a scholarship in the name of somebody like Joey Embry,” said former Ole Miss Head Football Coach Matt Luke, who played center on Embry’s team as an undergraduate.
“He always took pride in being a student-athlete,” Luke continued. “Whoever is selected for this scholarship should be honored to be mentioned in the same category with Joey Embry. He always did a good job no matter what he did.”
The same can be said about Sarah Johnson, the 2022 recipient of the Joey Embry Memorial Scholarship. Growing up in the small town of Water Valley, Mississippi, Johnson was the only female in her class to attend an SEC university upon high school graduation.
“It wasn’t easy that my classmates thought I wouldn’t make it and would drop out of the university,” Johnson said. “I am going to prove them wrong and, in getting this scholarship, it has shown people that you can pursue your dreams if you work hard enough; you just have to want it.”
In high school, Johnson was band captain her junior year and drum major her senior year. She was involved with Beta Club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Mu Alpha Theta.
Now at Ole Miss, Johnson is majoring in accounting with a minor in insurance and risk management.
“I love math,” she said. “With this degree, I know I can work anywhere. Math is the same in every country.”
While in Mu Alpha Theta, tutoring kids who were struggling in math showed Johnson how much she enjoyed the discipline and inspired her to pursue accounting.
After touring Ole Miss, Johnson felt UM was where she was meant to be. She was happy she was awarded this scholarship because it helped ensure she could attend school with less financial stress.
“I was very excited,” recalled Johnson about receiving the scholarship. “I received a tremendous amount of encouragement from my parents. They were very proud of me.”
Gwen Embry, Joey Embry’s mother, and her husband, Bill, are pleased that the scholarship was awarded to someone who shares their son’s spirit.
“Joey gave everything for there to be this scholarship and we want to make sure it’s used to the best of its ability — that the students will devote their time and efforts to school and keep their priorities in the right direction,” she said.
During high school football camps on the Oxford campus, Joey Embry decided he wanted to be an Ole Miss Rebel. In 1995, at the end of his stellar prep career at Bruce (Mississippi) High School, the scholarship offer came.
“Joey reacted as any young man would who had dreamed of playing SEC football,” recalled his mother. “He was so excited, so thrilled; he was going to do something he had always wanted to do.”
Embry drowned May 19, 1998, in a tragic accident just months before he was expected to be a major contributor on the Rebel offensive line. His Rebel teammates dedicated the 1998 season to his memory and wore Embry’s name and number on their helmets.
Embry left a strong impression on the Ole Miss community, providing leadership both on and off the playing field. As a business administration major, he excelled academically, making the UMAA Honor Roll and the SEC Academic Honor Roll. He also was a team leader in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
The Embry Endowment awards one scholarship annually to a student from Calhoun or Yalobusha counties. Those interested in applying for the scholarship should talk with their respective high school guidance counselors.
Individuals and organizations can make gifts to the Joey Embry Memorial Scholarship Fund by sending a check with the fund noted in the memo line to the University of Mississippi Foundation, 406 University Ave., Oxford, MS 38655; or by visiting https://give.olemiss.edu.
By Alyssa Garza/UM Foundation