Burnell Wesco, Founder of the South Mississippi Elite Travel Basketball Team, is a highly accomplished individual with a long list of credentials in the sports arena. Wesco got his start in 1999 when he began coaching intramural sports at the University of Southern Mississippi. While most people were coaching only one intramural sport, Wesco was coaching men’s and women’s flag-football, basketball, softball, and volleyball teams. Later, in 2001, he led his team to victory in the ALL-University Championships in the men’s and women’s division. He also had the first team to play for the basketball and flag-football championships in the same year. Due to these successes, his team was invited to play in an exhibition game before Super Bowl XXXVII in San Diego, CA. In 2002, he yet again led his team to a victory in both the men’s and women’s division at the ALL University Championships. 2003 was a golden year for Wesco, beginning with the MLK Basketball Classic, and Basketball Regional Championship at Mississippi State University. His team later went on to win the NIRSA Basketball National Championship. He then began as the Research Assistant and Studies where he coordinated all recreation programming for four schools in the Lamar County School District Links to Learning after School Program. There he taught P.E. for K-8th grade students, assisted with special events and retreats. Also in 2003, Wesco led his team to their third consecutive victory in the All University Championships in the Men’s and Women’s divisions. For this event he organized promotional duties for sponsorships and prepared the budget. In 2004, Wesco’s team participated at the NIRSA National Flag Football Championship in New Orleans, LA., and in 2005 his team was once again victorious in the NIRSA Basketball Regional Championship at Mississippi State University. Burnell Wesco is currently employed by the Hattiesburg Public School District where he is the head coach of the Back-to-back (2006 & 2007) Conference Champion Hattiesburg High School 9th grade girls basketball team. He was named 2007 Conference Coach of the Year. In 2008, he was recognized as the MHSAA Basketball Official of the Year. He went on to win the 9th grade girls basketball Conference Championship in 2009 with a 15-0 record. 

The South Mississippi Elite Basketball program was created with a vision of Coach Burnell Wesco in 2007. His vision was to establish a program for kids who desired to learn and play the game of basketball on a competitive level. His goals were to provide an atmosphere with excellent coaching for Middle and High School student athlete’s looking to improve their skills, and to emphasize the importance of education. This ultimately provides the foundation for those skids interested in competing at the college level. Our basketball program currently consists of five teams, composed of players from South Mississippi. These players range from twelve to seventeen years of age and are committed to preparing themselves to play at a highly competitive level. In addition to the dedicated training, our basketball program promotes an environment that instills confidence, self-esteem, and leadership skills. South Mississippi Elite looks forward to the 2015 season, which will provide our elite players an opportunity to travel out of state and compete in several Elite, AAU, Nike, Adidas, Regional and National exposure tournaments where college scouts will be in attendance. As we continue to provide an environment that teaches fundamental skills to become effective basketball players; we do have expenses that include tournament fees, uniforms, hotels and transportation. Without the support of parents, fundraisers, communities and businesses, some players would exclude from participating. The SME basketball team has asked each player and parent to seek prospective sponsors so that each player will have the opportunity to participate. The SME basketball team functions as a NCAA-certified summer event under the NCAA Coaches Approval Program and as a nonprofit organization and all sponsorship funds will be used solely for the expenses of the teams. With your donation, not only will you be helping a young player to achieve their dreams, but your organizations will also get a tax deduction and advertisement on our website and publications. If you would like to become a sponsor of the South Mississippi Elite Basketball program, please complete the attached sponsor copy for donations. Please feel free to contact Burnell Wesco via email at southmissbball@hotmail.com if you should have any questions about our organization. Thank you for your cooperation in this important endeavor.

I believe in sportsmanship first. The sport is the game, and we are all in it together. While I am very competitive, I also want to support all the competitors as we strive to make the sport of basketball great. I work every day to better myself and to better the game.