Born: July 26, 1955
Hometown: Morton, MS
Year Induction: 2011
Morton High School (1970-1973)
Mississippi College (1973-1977)
Pan American Games championship team (’75)
World Championship tournament (’75)
USA Women’s basketball team trials (’76)
Member U.S. National Women’s Basketball Team (’76)
Silver medal team in World University games in Bulgaria (’77)
Women’s Professional Basketball League
Chicago Hustle (1978-1981)
Head coach, Mississippi College women’s basketball (1983-1990)
Head coach, Mississippi College softball team (1986-1989)
Head coach, Neville High girls basketball team, Monroe, LA (1990-1992)
Honored with “Rita Easterling Day” in hometown Morton, MS, including parade and billboard (August 15, 1975)
Mississippi College Athletic Hall of Fame (’00)
Named one of ESPN’s Top 25 Women’s College Basketball Players of Pre-NCAA era (’06)
Raised in the Polkville, MS, community, Easterling rode her horse to school and began playing hoops in the 4th grade. Rita was dubbed “Queen of the Floor Burns” for her aggressive play in the WBL.
Her individual college rivalry with fellow All-American Lusia “Lucy” Harris from Gulf South Conference foe Delta State made the DSU-Mississippi College games among the most widely-watched in the state.
Sport : Tennis
Induction Year : 2024
University : Trinity University, San Antonio, Texas
Sport : Track & Field
Induction Year : 2024
University : University of Mississippi
Sport : Basketball, Coaching
Induction Year : 2024
University : Mississippi State University
Sport : Baseball, Broadcasting
Induction Year : 2024
University : University of Florida
Sport : Football
Induction Year : 2023
University : University of Southern Mississippi
Sport : Basketball, Coaching
Induction Year : 2022
University : Mississippi State University
Sport : Administration, Baseball
Induction Year : 2022
University : Delta State University
Sport : Football
Induction Year : 1969
University : Auburn University, Mississippi State Uni...
Sport : Basketball
Induction Year : 1979
University : Copiah-Lincoln Community College, Millsa...
Sport : Basketball
Induction Year : 2015
University : University of Southern Mississippi
Sport : Football, Track & Field
Induction Year : 1970
University : Mississippi State University
Sport : Basketball, Coaching
Induction Year : 2015
University : Belhaven University, Hinds Community Col...
Sport : Basketball, Coaching
Induction Year : 1991
University : Kentucky State University, Alcorn State ...
Sport : Football
Induction Year : 2011
University : Pearl River Community College, Universit...
Sport : Coaching, Football
Induction Year : 1986
University : Mississippi State University, University...
Sport : Coaching
Induction Year : 1981
University : Millsaps, University of Southern Mississ...
Sport : Coaching, Football
Induction Year : 1971
University : University of Mississippi, University of...
Sport : Coaching, Football
Induction Year : 1976
University : Texas Christian University, University o...
Sport : Basketball, Coaching
Induction Year : 1974
University : Delta State University
Sport : Coaching, Track & Field
Induction Year : 2018
University : Mississippi College, University of Missi...
Sport : Coaching
Induction Year : 1984
University : Mississippi State University, East Missi...
Sport : Football
Induction Year : 1973
University : Copiah-Lincoln Community College, Louisi...
Sport : Baseball, Coaching
Induction Year : 1978
University : University of Mississippi
Sport : Baseball, Coaching
Induction Year : 1990
University : University of Southern Mississippi
Sport : Coaching, Football
Induction Year : 1975
University : Mississippi Delta Community College, Del...
Sport : Tennis
Induction Year : 2010
University : University of Mississippi, Mississippi C...
Sport : Football
Induction Year : 2004
University : Mississippi Valley State University
Sport : Basketball, Coaching
Induction Year : 2005
University : Copiah-Lincoln Junior College, Universit...
Sport : Auto Racing
Induction Year : 2010
University : University of Mississippi, Mississippi C...
Sport : Coaching, Track & Field
Induction Year : 1968
University : Mississippi State University
Sport : Coaching, Football
Induction Year : 2003
University : Copiah-Lincoln Community College, Univer...
Sport : Coaching
Induction Year : 1967
University : Mississippi State University, Copiah-Lin...
Sport : Basketball, Coaching
Induction Year : 2018
University : Tougaloo College, Mississippi Valley Sta...
Sport : Basketball
Induction Year : 2009
University : University of Mississippi, East Mississi...
Sport : Coaching
Induction Year : 1968
University : Mississippi State University, University...
Sport : Coaching, Football
Induction Year : 2002
University : Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College...
Sport : Coaching
Induction Year : 2016
University : University of Alabama, Mississippi State...
Sport : Athletic Directors, Coaching
Induction Year : 1969
University : University of Mississippi
Sport : Coaching
Induction Year : 1998
University : Jackson State University, Tougaloo Colle...
Sport : Administration, Coaching, Football
Induction Year : 2012
University : Mississippi College, Mississippi State U...
Sport : Broadcasting, Football
Induction Year : 2006
University : University of Southern Mississippi
Sport : Athletic Directors, Coaching, Football
Induction Year : 1999
University : Jackson State University, Florida A&M Un...
Sport : Track & Field
Induction Year : 2006
University : Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College
Sport : Coaching, Football
Induction Year : 1982
University : Tulane University, Hinds Community Colle...
Sport : Basketball
Induction Year : 1985
University : Hinds Community College, University of S...
Sport : Basketball, Coaching
Induction Year : 2007
University : Mississippi Delta Community College, Del...
Sport : Coaching
Induction Year : 1961
University : Mississippi State University, Mississipp...
Sport : Administration
Induction Year : 2013
University : East Mississippi Community College, Delt...
Sport : Administration, Broadcasting
Induction Year : 2013
University : Vanderbilt University
Sport : Baseball, Coaching
Induction Year : 2005
University : Louisiana Tech University, Louisiana Sta...
Sport : Baseball, Coaching
Induction Year : 1977
University : University of Southern Mississippi
Sport : Coaching, Football
Induction Year : 1998
University : University of Alabama, Jones County Juni...
Sport : Baseball, Football
Induction Year : 1972
University : University of Southern Mississippi
Sport : Coaching, Football
Induction Year : 1965
University : University of Mississippi
Sport : Coaching, Football
Induction Year : 1964
University : University of Mississippi
Sport : Baseball, Coaching, Football
Induction Year : 1968
University : University of Mississippi, Northwest Mis...
Sport : Basketball, Coaching
Induction Year : 1999
University : Mississippi University for Women
Sport : Coaching, Football
Induction Year : 1988
University : Mississippi State University
Sport : Athletic Directors, Coaching
Induction Year : 1961
University : Mississippi State University, University...
Sport : Coaching, Football
Induction Year : 2004
University : University of Southern Mississippi
Sport : Baseball, Coaching
Induction Year : 2011
University : University of Southern Mississippi
Sport : Coaching, Football
Induction Year : 1972
University : Jones County Junior College, Mississippi...
Sport : Football
Induction Year : 1981
University : Hinds Community College, University of S...
Sport : Coaching, Football
Induction Year : 1977
University : University of Tennessee, University of M...
Sport : Football
Induction Year : 1963
University : Mississippi State University
Sport : Coaching, Golf
Induction Year : 2000
University : Louisiana State University, University o...
Sport : Broadcasting, Golf
Induction Year : 1996
University : University of Mississippi
Sport : Basketball, Coaching, Football
Induction Year : 1996
University : Gallaudet University
Sport : Baseball, Coaching
Induction Year : 1974
University : University of Mississippi
Sport : Coaching, Football
Induction Year : 2002
University : Hinds Community College, Louisiana State...
Sport : Athletic Directors, Coaching
Induction Year : 1989
University : Northwestern State University, Mississip...
Sport : Administration, Baseball
Induction Year : 2011
University : Hinds Community College, Millsaps Colleg...
Sport : Basketball, Coaching
Induction Year : 1974
University : Mississippi State University
Sport : Sports Writing
Induction Year : 1999
University : University of Mississippi, University of...
Sport : Basketball, Coaching, Football
Induction Year : 1970
University : University of Mississippi, United States...
Sport : Baseball, Coaching
Induction Year : 1984
University : University of Mississippi
Sport : Coaching, Football
Induction Year : 2004
University : Millsaps College, Mississippi Gulf Coast...
Sport : Administration, Football
Induction Year : 2000
University : University of Mississippi
Sport : Athletic Directors, Coaching, Football
Induction Year : 1961
University : University of Mississippi
Sport : Baseball, Coaching
Induction Year : 2011
University : Holmes Community College, Delta State Un...
Sport : Basketball, Coaching
Induction Year : 2015
University : University of Southern Mississippi, Will...
Sport : Baseball, Basketball, Football
Induction Year : 1964
University : University of Mississippi
Sport : Basketball
Induction Year : 1988
University : University of Southern Mississippi
Sport : Basketball, Coaching
Induction Year : 1995
University : Mississippi State University
Sport : Basketball, Coaching
Induction Year : 2018
University : Jackson State University
Sport : Basketball, Coaching
Induction Year : 2016
University : University of Southern Mississippi
Sport : Basketball, Coaching
Induction Year : 1999
University : University of Southern Mississippi
Sport : Coaching
Induction Year : 2002
University : Mississippi University for Women, Missis...
Sport : Athletic Directors, Basketball, Coaching
Induction Year : 2018
University : Copiah-Lincoln Community College, Missis...
Sport : Basketball, Coaching
Induction Year : 2001
University : Alcorn State University
Sport : Coaching, Golf
Induction Year : 2007
University : Meridian Junior College, Florida State U...
Sport : Coaching, Football
Induction Year : 1993
University : Jackson State University
Sport : Coaching, Tennis
Induction Year : 2002
University : Mississippi University for Women
Sport : Football
Induction Year : 1965
University : Mississippi College, Mississippi State U...
Sport : Coaching
Induction Year : 1970
University : Louisiana State University, Pearl River ...
Sport : Coaching, Football
Induction Year : 1967
University : University of Mississippi
Sport : Athletic Directors, Coaching
Induction Year : 1966
University : University of Southern Mississippi
Sport : Football
Induction Year : 1996
University : University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, Ar...
Sport : Football
Induction Year : 2000
University : University of Chattanooga, Delta State U...
Sport : Baseball, Coaching
Induction Year : 1982
University : Mississippi State University
Sport : Basketball, Coaching
Induction Year : 2003
University : East Central Community College, Nashvill...
Sport : Baseball, Coaching, Football
Induction Year : 1961
University : Mississippi College, University of Missi...
Sport : Coaching, Golf
Induction Year : 2012
University : University of Southern Mississippi
Sport : Athletic Trainer
Induction Year : 2013
University : University of Southern Mississippi
Sport : Basketball, Coaching
Induction Year : 2008
University : University of Mississippi
Sport : Basketball, Coaching
Induction Year : 1998
University : University of Mississippi, Texas A&M Uni...
Sport : Basketball
Induction Year : 2013
University : Delta State University, University of Mi...
Sport : Coaching, Football
Induction Year : 1990
University : Mississippi State University, Vanderbilt...
Sport : Broadcasting
Induction Year : 2005
University : University of Wisconsin-Madison, Univers...
Sport : Coaching
Induction Year : 1997
University : Tennessee State University, Jackson Stat...
Sport : Basketball, Coaching
Induction Year : 1963
University : University of Mississippi, Jones County ...
Sport : Coaching, Track & Field
Induction Year : 2003
University : Alcorn State University
Sport : Basketball, Coaching
Induction Year : 1991
University : University of Texas at El Paso, Universi...
Sport : Coaching, Football
Induction Year : 2005
University : University of Mississippi, Northwest Mis...
Sport : Coaching, Football
Induction Year : 2017
University : Alcorn State University, Trinity Interna...
Sport : Athletic Directors, Coaching
Induction Year : 1986
University : Mississippi College
Sport : Basketball, Coaching, Football, Track & Field
Induction Year : 1965
University : Mississippi State University, Millsaps C...
Sport : Basketball, Coaching, Track & Field
Induction Year : 1966
University : Mississippi State University, University...
Sport : Coaching, Football
Induction Year : 1985
University : Georgia Tech, Mississippi State Universi...
Sport : Baseball, Basketball
Induction Year : 1979
University : University of Mississippi
Sport : Baseball, Coaching, Football
Induction Year : 1976
University : University of Mississippi
Sport : Football
Induction Year : 2002
University : Jackson State University, Morehouse Coll...
Sport : Baseball
Induction Year : 1964
University : Louisiana State University, Mississippi ...
Sport : Athletic Directors, Baseball, Coaching
Induction Year : 1964
University : Mississippi State University, Delta Stat...
Sport : Coaching, Football
Induction Year : 1995
University : University of Mississippi, University of...
Sport : Baseball
Induction Year : 1983
University : University of Southern Mississippi
Sport : Coaching, Football
Induction Year : 1986
University : University of Mississippi
Sport : Coaching, Football
Induction Year : 1981
University : Mississippi State University, Louisiana ...
Sport : Coaching, Football
Induction Year : 1980
University : Mississippi State University, Millsaps C...
Sport : Baseball, Coaching
Induction Year : 2008
University : Jones County Junior College, University ...
Sport : Football
Induction Year : 2005
University : University of Southern Mississippi
Sport : Football
Induction Year : 2008
University : University of Southern Mississippi
Sport : Coaching, Football
Induction Year : 2000
University : Mississippi State University, University...
Sport : Coaching, Football
Induction Year : 1996
University : University of Southern Mississippi
Sport : Administration, Basketball, Coaching
Induction Year : 2008
University : Jackson State University, Coahoma Commun...
Sport : Administration, Coaching, Football
Induction Year : 2012
University : University of Mississippi
Sport : Coaching, Tennis
Induction Year : 1999
University : Mississippi State University, University...
Sport : Coaching, Football
Induction Year : 2004
University : East Mississippi Community College, Miss...
Sport : Coaching, Football
Induction Year : 2009
University : Copiah-Lincoln Community College, Tulane...
Sport : Golf
Induction Year : 2003
University : Mississippi State University, University...
Sport : Administration, Coaching, Football
Induction Year : 1994
University : Alcorn State University
Sport : Coaching, Football
Induction Year : 1973
University : Mississippi State University, Delta Stat...
Sport : Coaching, Tennis
Induction Year : 2005
University : Belhaven College, University of Mississi...
Sport : Basketball, Coaching
Induction Year : 2005
University : East Central Community College, Mississi...
Sport : Basketball, Coaching
Induction Year : 2006
University : Mississippi Delta Community College, Del...
Sport : Sports Writing
Induction Year : 2017
University : University of Southern MIssissippi
Sport : Coaching
Induction Year : 1998
University : University of Southern Mississippi
Sport : Coaching, Football
Induction Year : 2018
University : University of Mississippi
Sport : Coaching, Football
Induction Year : 2001
University : University of Southern Mississippi
Sport : Administration, Coaching, Football
Induction Year : 2013
University : East Mississippi Community College, Miss...
Sport : Football
Induction Year : 1997
University : Holmes Community College, Mississippi St...
Sport : Basketball
Induction Year : 1971
University : Jones County Junior College, Delta State...
Sport : Administration, Coaching, Football
Induction Year : 2001
University : University of Mississippi, Northwest Jun...
Sport : Softball
Induction Year : 2012
University : University of Southern Mississippi
Sport : Coaching, Football
Induction Year : 2009
University : University of Georgia, University of Sou...
Sport : Basketball, Coaching
Induction Year : 1982
University : East Central Community College, Universi...
Sport : Baseball, Coaching
Induction Year : 2017
University : Jackson State University
Sport : Coaching, Football
Induction Year : 1988
University : University of Mississippi, University of...
Sport : Baseball, Broadcasting
Induction Year : 2011
University : Mississippi State University
Sport : Athletic Directors, Football
Induction Year : 2003
University : University of Mississippi
Sport : Administration
Induction Year : 1994
University : Copiah-Lincoln Community College
Sport : Baseball, Coaching
Induction Year : 1976
University : Mississippi State University
Sport : Basketball, Coaching
Induction Year : 1978
University : Mississippi State University, University...
Sport : Administration, Athletic Directors, Baseball, Coaching, Football
Induction Year : 1975
University : University of Mississippi
Sport : Coaching, Football
Induction Year : 1977
University : University of Mississippi, Millsaps Coll...
