Page 140 - South Mississippi Living - October, 2021

Lance Corporal Dillon Farmer
A Passion for Basketball Brings U.S. Marine to MGCCC Bulldogs Team
story and photos courtesy of MGCCC
Lance Corporal Dillon Farmer of the U.S. Marine Corps, a 6’4” forward on the Bulldogs basketball team, has
a lot more going on in his life than basketball. But it was his love of the game that brought him to Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College (MGCCC).
“I did not think I would be playing again until this past year,” he said. “After going through basic training with the Marine Corps Reserves, I went home for a while. During that time, I picked up the ball for the first time in maybe a year or so and started to like being on the court again, trying to do things I used to do in high school and more. I got in touch with Coach Ryan and Coach Lane at MGCCC and they allowed me to join the team. The rest is history.”
A member of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, Farmer grew up in Conehatta, a community located on the reservation. He brings an impressive high school basketball record with him, averaging 10.4 points, 10.7 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.1 blocks his senior year. He was named to All- Region 5-3A Team for third year and the Meridian Star Premier Preps Boys Team.
Now, playing at Gulf Coast, Farmer manages to balance basketball practices, drill with his Marine Corp unit in Mobile, and studying. “At
first it was difficult getting back into the basketball life, but I just stuck with it and came out fine,” he said.
“Balancing school, ball, and Marine Corps can sometimes be complex. Due dates for class assignments, practice, practice, practice, and making drills
is challenging but manageable. I have to prioritize and think ahead about what assignments are due immediately following a drill or if I have practice on a night before a test.”
Farmer is a ground radio repairer
by trade in the Marine Corps. He
has been in the reserves for two years. “After high school, I just wanted to do something different,” he said. “I really liked the idea of joining the military as a kid and I told my dad about it. The next day my recruiter walked into our school office and my dad happened to be walking out. They got to talking, my dad mentioned me and that same day the recruiter and I talked. It is crazy how fast things happened.”
After graduating from Gulf Coast next year, Farmer plans to continue doing more of the same. “I plan
on continuing to play basketball somewhere even if I have to walk on. I am also getting my bachelor’s degree.” He added, “I have never been afraid of working hard. Even if playing does not happen, I do have other things in life I want to do. I want to go active duty in the future, and I am dedicated to being a nurse. I want to try to do some good for someone out there.”
MGCCC
228.896.2536 www.mgccc.edu
140 | October 2021
www.smliving.net | SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living