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Why Are College Softball Teams Wearing Teal? The Meaning Explained

Originally posted on Softball On SI
By Maren Angus-Coombs  |  Last updated Apr 11, 2026 1:46 PM ET

All 15 Southeastern Conference softball teams will be wearing teal on Saturday, April 11, to honor a very important person.

2026 marks the sixth annual "All for Alex" weekend to honor the legacy of Mississippi State's Alex Wilcox.

Wilcox was a member of the 2018 MSU softball team who inspired the nation with her courageous fight against ovarian cancer. That fight ultimately took her life in the summer of 2018. She was just 18 years old.

Since her death, the Bulldogs retired her No. 8 jersey.

When the university retired her No. 8 jersey on Sept. 15, 2018, Wilcox became the first female student-athlete in Mississippi State history to receive the honor. All 13 SEC softball teams at the time were awarded the league's Sportsmanship Award in 2018 for their united support of Wilcox throughout her final year of competition.

There are seven SEC conference games scheduled, and No. 21 LSU is hosting No. 12 Arizona.

Multiple non-conference teams nationwide are expected to participate, including South Alabama, where Wilcox's sister, Kassidy, played, and UTSA, where her former head coach, Vann Steuedeman, now leads the Roadrunners.

Coaches from around the SEC participated in a video ahead of the weekend to let the world know that no one fights alone.

The "All For Alex" campaign is a joint effort between LSU head coach Beth Torina and MSU head coach Samantha Ricketts. It was approved at the SEC coaches' meetings in the fall of 2019 before it was put on hold when the 2020 conference season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

LSU also hosted a "Geaux Teal" Ovarian Cancer Awareness Walk on Saturday morning, an event Torina started to raise awareness and provide education about ovarian cancer for women of all ages.

The 1.5-mile walk has been happening since 2013, and hundreds of participants showed up Saturday morning at Tiger Park.

On Saturday, No. 13 Mississippi State hosts No. 8 Arkansas. First pitch on Saturday is set for 2 p.m. CT, and Nusz Park gates will open at 1 p.m.

Additional host schools for the "All for Alex" weekend in 2026 include Auburn, No. 16 Georgia, Kentucky, Ole Miss, South Carolina, and No. 4 Texas.

About Alex Wilcox

Born on July 1, 1999 to Shaun and LeAnn, Wilcox was raised in Brantley, Ala. She helped lead Brantley High School to three AHSAA state championships and earned AHSAA State Tournament MVP honors in 2014 and 2016.

Wilcox was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in December 2015 and continued to play through treatment.

Despite undergoing radiation and chemotherapy, Wilcox made her collegiate debut during the 2018 season. She appeared in eight games and made three starts at the designated player.

Wilcox recorded three hits across 15 at-bats.

The outfielder passed away on Jun 25, 2018.


This article first appeared on Softball On SI and was syndicated with permission.

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