Two PJC Dragons Have PJC Coaching Grandfathers

Published or Revised August 19, 2013

Two current members of the Paris Junior College women's soccer team share similar ties to the college. Both their grandfathers were coaches at PJC. Returning for a second year with the team is Morgan Flippen of Paris. Her grandfather, who she calls "Big Daddy", is former PJC golf coach Mickey Flippen. "It was nice because he coached here and I was going here, too," Flippen said. "He's been to every one of my games since high school. I hope he's proud of me." "I'm very excited with this team," she said about the coming season. "There are so many girls here." A PJC alumnus himself, Coach Flippen started with PJC in 1972. During his coaching tenure the Dragons won numerous regional conference titles, had many players named NJCAA All-American, often ranked nationally in the top ten and had 26 consecutive appearances in the NJCAA national golf tournament. Starting as a freshman with the team this year is Jessica Bogy of Midlothian, Texas. Her "Grandpa" is former PJC baseball Coach Jim Whitworth. A member of PJC's 1959 NJCAA national championship baseball team, Coach Whitworth started as assistant baseball coach, and then became head baseball coach. He developed what are now Hub Hollis Field and the Barney Bray Complex. During his tenure, many PJC players signed with four-year schools and became pro players. Though not influencing her decision to sign with PJC, "he helped me get everything together and took me on a visit," Bogy said. "He is pleased and will come watch as many games as is possible with a two-hour drive." Now retired, Whitworth resides in Athens, Texas. Though early in workouts at the training camp preparing for the season, Bogy is optimistic. "Things are really good so far," she said.