Missie is the daughter of Bonnie and Kenny Irvin of Keavy, Kentucky and the youngest of three children, all of whom are Cumberland College, now the University of the Cumberlands, graduates. Growing up in Laurel County had and impact on Missie’s love for the game of basketball as the Lady Cardinals were on a run of Kentucky State Championship appearances, winning three titles before she was old enough to make the squad. It did not take Missie long to make the varsity team after entering high school. Her team made an appearance in the 1987 Kentucky State Tournament and took home the title.
Her high school and college basketball accomplishments followed in the steps of her older sister, Konnie Irvin-Snyder (Cumberland 1985-89) and she was recruited as a four year scholar athlete on the Cumberland Ladies team, under Coach Henry Morgan.
Missie was a starter in 121 games and played in 123 games over her career 1989-91 & 1992-94. She averaged 11.0 points and 3.7 rebounds per game. Among the career leaders at Cumberland, Missie led her team in assists all four years and ranks 1 st in career assists with 634, 1 st in assists per season with 226 (1990-91), 1 st in 3-point field goal percentage for a season with 153-408 for 35.5% amassed 20 or more points seven times, 8 th in career scoring with 11.0 points per game and 1356 points, 9 th in career free throws made with 245, 9 th in career free throw percentage 245-321 for 76.3%, and 10 th in career free throw attempts with 321.
Missie was an assistant coach at Rio Grande University in Ohio from 1994-97. Her team won a Great Lakes Championship in 1997 and a trip to the NAIA National Tournament. She became head coach of the Cumberlands’ Lady Patriots in 1997 and has amassed a win/loss record of 203-103as 2-12-07. Her teams have won two Regular Season Mid South Conference Championships in 2004 & 2006 and won the Mid South Conference Tournament Championship in 2005. The Lady Patriots have made five trips to the NAIA National Tournament under Coach Irvin’s leadership and this season received their highest ever NAIA National Ranking of #4 in January 2007.
In 2000, Irvin was inducted into the Laurel County High School Athletic Hall of Fame. In 2006, she completed her Masters of Arts degree in Administrative Education from the University of the Cumberlands. Missie resides in Williamsburg, Kentucky.
