McCaskill takes over as Sports Director of the Vicksburg YMCA

Listen to this article

Vicksburg native Melanie McCaskill is headed back to her roots by taking over as the sports director of the Vicksburg YMCA.

Introduced to sports at age 6 with tee-ball at the Raworth YMCA, McCaskill excelled in soccer and cross-country in high school. She was a five-year starter on the Missy Gators’ soccer team under Head Coaches Kevin Manton and David Case.

McCaskill was also named as VHS’ 2010 Female Athlete of the Year along with being selected as Miss VHS.

McCaskill’s athleticism earned her an athletic scholarship to Meridian Community College, and she spent two seasons playing for the Lady Eagles before heading to the University of Southern Mississippi to finish her education.

Now, the 30-year-old McCaskill is back to working for the same organization where she worked as a youth counselor at the age of 16.

“God kinda just put this job into my lap because when I got out of college I tried to pass my certification exam for recreational therapy and I got discouraged, but God said not to get discouraged,” McCaskill said. “I came back to to the Y and I was part-time for childcare and then Wayne Scott retired, then Phillip(YMCA Executive Director), asked me to take over the sports and the pools, which was exciting, so I decided to take it and roll with it.”

Only a couple of months into her new role, McCaskill has wrapped up the summer by overseeing swim lessons at the Wilkinson-Ver Beck Pool and is now preparing for flag football season.

“I am extremely excited to bring Melanie on to our full-time staff,” Doiron said. “She brings an energy and passion to everything she does, and I know she is the right person to carry on the long youth sports legacy at this YMCA.”

In the past, the Vicksburg YMCA has given kids a great opportunity to learn a particular sport in a fun and positive way. McCaskill hopes to continue that tradition.

“Sports with youth has changed a lot since my days because it used to be about promoting fun but today it’s more competitive, so I want to make it a goal for kids to have fun,” McCaskill said. “I know everyone wants to win but learning and having fun is the main goal and I think that will help the kids transition better into junior high but I just really want them to have fun because that’s what the YMCA is all about.”

See a typo? Report it here.