Rochelle Thompson Serrell’s love for athletics began in Oxford, where she grew up playing basketball in the backyard with her brothers. Her sports journey took a pivotal turn in junior high when her coach said she was too tall for gymnastics and needed to be on the basketball team. She established herself as a standout athlete with commitment and leadership on the court.
As the 1970s turned into the 1980s, the Northwest women’s basketball team quickly rose to prominence at both the state and national levels. Thompson Serrell is one of the many reasons behind the Lady Rangers’ rise to success.
Led by Northwest Hall of Fame coach Harry Adair, Thompson Serrell and the Lady Rangers captured the 1979-80 MACJC North Division title, en route to MACJC and NJCAA Region VII championships. Even more impressive was the overall 33-1 record, with the lone loss of the season occurring in the NJCAA National Tournament, the first appearance on the national stage for the Northwest program.
Though game results and records weren’t recorded for Thompson Serrell’s freshman season, her talents still caught the eyes of the conference, as she garnered All-MACJC recognition. She would also earn NJCAA All-American honors for helping the Lady Rangers through their inaugural national tournament run.
As a sophomore, Thompson Serrell would also garner All-MACJC honors for the second consecutive season, helping the Lady Rangers to a 26-1 overall record and a 14-0 mark in the MACJC North Division. Northwest would repeat as the division champions that season, but fell in a close battle to Shelby State (now known as Southwest Tennessee) in the Region VII Tournament.
Following her Lady Ranger career, Thompson Serrell would sign to play at Ole Miss under legendary coach Van Chancellor. While with the Lady Rebels, she helped Ole Miss to an appearance in the inaugural NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Tournament in 1982, and the Lady Rebels would return there the very next season.
At Ole Miss, Thompson Serrell helped the Lady Rebels to a combined 53-11 record during the 1981-82 and 1982-83 seasons. During her senior year, she led the team with 55 steals, averaging 1.7 steals per game.
Professionally, Thompson Serrell has devoted her life to serving others. She currently works as a lead case manager for Dallas County Health and Human Services, helping individuals and families access critical resources. She has also coached the Lady Sparks 12 and under AAU basketball team, volunteered with the North Texas Food Bank, led United Way campaigns, and remains deeply involved in community and youth initiatives.
At the center of her life is family. She is the devoted wife of David Serrell, proud mother to Jarvis and Jaelin, and adoring grandmother to Uriah and Skylah. She is a committed member of Mount Pisgah Missionary Baptist Church, where she serves in the Adult Choir and Children’s Ministry.
