Taylor named to MGCCC Athletic Hall of Fame
Special to Long Beach Breeze
Taylor, jersey #80, was co-captain of the MGCCC National Championship football team.
Mississippi Gulf Coast Junior College (MGCCC) recently selected Gary Taylor of Long Beach as a member of its 2025 Athletic Hall of Fame. Honor ceremonies were held during MGCCC’s homecoming weekend last month.
Taylor played football, basketball and golf and ran track for Long Beach High School from 1979 to 1982. His father, Gerald “Coach” Taylor, was the principal of the high school during those years.
Taylor attended MGCCC from August 1982 through December 1984, graduating with an associate’s degree in pre-engineering studies. He went on to receive his degree as an electrical engineer from Mississippi State University. He currently works for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) at Stennis Space Center.
Taylor in 1984 (left) and 2023 (right).
Taylor played football for Coach George Sekul in the fall of 1982 as a walk-on student athlete and was redshirted that year due to a slight ankle sprain. He continued the next two years as the starting tight end/wide receiver and was a part of the 1983 South State Champions and the 1984 National Championship Team, serving as co-captain of the 1984 team. He had the privilege of catching two touchdown passes in the National Championship bowl game in Belair, Maryland, as MGCCC won the championship game 21 to 7.
During his two years at MGCCC, he also played golf in the spring for Coach Charles Cooper. In 1983, he placed fourth in the Mississippi Junior College Golf Association state tournament, which provided the opportunity for him to receive an invite to the National Junior College Golf Championship in Lehigh, Florida.
Taylor was a member of the 1983 Student Council Association, 1983/1984 Dean’s List, and received 1984 “Hall of Fame” honors as selected by the student body and faculty. He held a 3.6 GPA through his junior college academic years.
In 1983, Taylor was invited to participate in the National Junior College Golf Championship in Lehigh, Florida.
Taylor enjoys participating in community activities and spending time with family and friends. He has coached youth sports for many years, including basketball, football, tee ball and soccer; managed the Long Beach little league umpire association; supported educational career fairs; mentored youth and young adults; and actively participates in all aspects of his church life.
