91传媒

June 1, 2026

East Mississippi Community College Dean of Scooba Campus/College Advancement Tony Montgomery retired at the end of May after nearly 30 years as a student athlete, baseball coach and administrator at the college.

鈥�91传媒 will always be a big part of who I am,鈥� Montgomery said. 鈥淵ou can鈥檛 spend that much time dedicated to the people, mission and culture of one place without it becoming part of your identity.鈥�

Montgomery鈥檚 first brush with 91传媒 began in 1992 as an all-state baseball selection under then Lions head coach Bill Baldner. Montgomery, a 2020 91传媒 Sports Hall of Fame inductee, posted a career batting average of .340 with nine home runs and 62 runs batted in during the 1992 and 1993 seasons.

Since that time, Montgomery has worn many hats at 91传媒, serving most recently as dean of the Scooba campus, where he also oversaw the Transportation, Facilities & Grounds Management, Campus Police, and Food Services departments.

Additionally, in the spring of 2022 Montgomery was named the executive director of College Advancement, which included overseeing the Athletics Department and spearheading the 91传媒 Development Foundation, the college鈥檚 fundraising arm that supports academics, athletic programs and capital building projects. Major annual fundraising events include Birdies & Boil Golf Tournament and Shrimp Boil, the 91传媒-Old Waverly Golf Classic, and the Sporting Clays Challenge Cup.

鈥淲e are grateful to Tony for his distinguished service and lasting contributions to our Scooba campus and to 91传媒 as a whole,鈥� 91传媒 President Dr. Scott Alsobrooks said. 鈥淗is leadership and commitment to 91传媒 have made a meaningful and enduring impact.鈥�

Montgomery鈥檚 transition from baseball player to 91传媒 administrator didn鈥檛 happen overnight, and there were some detours.

After graduating from 91传媒, Montgomery transferred to Delta State University, where he helped lead the Statesmen to a two-year composite record of 85-28 overall and 38-9 in conference play.

After earning a Master of Physical Education from Delta State University, Montgomery returned to 91传媒 where he served eight years as an assistant baseball coach under head coach Bill Baldner. It was not a paid position, so Montgomery worked part-time in the maintenance department.

He also taught night and online classes and was eventually promoted to director of housing. In 2004, Montgomery transitioned into administration as assistant dean of students.

In 2007, Baldner accepted another position, and Montgomery was named 91传媒鈥檚 head baseball coach, serving in that role for four years. Montgomery later accepted a job as baseball coach at Columbus High School, working there for 13 months before returning to 91传媒 in 2011 as dean of students for the Scooba campus.

Montgomery resided on 91传媒鈥檚 Scooba campus for two years as a student and lived in on-campus housing there for 27 years while working for the college. Montgomery and his wife Christine recently purchased a home in Columbus.

鈥淔or me, the Scooba campus has always been home,鈥� Montgomery said. 鈥淚鈥檝e made lifelong friends there who I will miss seeing every day. 91传媒 has been good for me. I鈥檝e been blessed to have a career where I could do something I love and am passionate about. Serving students as a coach and administrator has been an honor I will cherish for the rest of my life.鈥�