The Rattler nation is saddened to learn of the passing of one of the Rattlerette's most famous guards. Valerie Jo Seay, who played at FAMU from 1983-1986 under head coach Mickey Clayton, passed last week and was sent home in a celebration at New Life Church of God in Christ in Orlando on Saturday . She was named All-American (1984), All-NSWAC (1984), All-NSWAC Tournament (1986) and NSWAC Tournament MVP (1986).
Seay, was a 5'6" guard from Orlando's Evans High School. After a standout junior season in high school, FAMU alumnus Leroy Lloyd called Clayton and told him to come see his next point guard. Clayton recalls seeing her for the first time. "When we went to Orlando and saw her play, we knew we had to have her. A lot of the bigger schools backed off of her, because she couldn't switch to a left-handed dribble, but she was so fast that other players couldn't catch up to her," Clayton said.
Seay was a part of one of Clayton's most popular fivesomes. Donning the cover of the 1985-1986 media guide, Esther Myrick, Gail Myrick, Cynthia Lee, April Manning, Clayton and Seay posed in one of the most memorable covers in Rattler athletics history. The crew was relentless and earned the nickname "Flash Five." Just seven years into their history, the team would be the David to major college Goliaths. The team would take down Florida State, University of Florida, University of Miami, Dartmouth, UCF, University of Minnesota, Auburn and several other schools during her time playing for the Rattlerettes.
Seay was the smallest of the crew and was shielded by her teammates. "She was the protected member of the team. Because of her size, she was always getting knocked around. She always worked hard and carried herself with respect. The Myrick sisters were like her enforcers, looking out for their teammate," Clayton remembered.
During Seays tenure, the Rattlerettes had two 19-win seasons and a 21-win season, ending her career with a record of 59 wins against just 25 losses (.702). Members of the New South Women's Athletic Conference (NSWAC), the Rattlerettes took the first-ever title as hosts of the championship in Gaither Gym. Clayton's squad defeated Georgia Southern 65-54 to take that honor in the 1985-1986 season. She left FAMU as the leader in assists for a season, with 192 in 1986.
Out of high school, Seay's play was recognized as she was selected to play in the North-South basketball all-star game annually held at the University of Florida.
Seay's most memorable game was the 1986 game against Florida State. At the time, the teams played annually at the recently-built Leon County Civic Center. The Rattlerettes went down by six points as the Lady Noles went into a press defense. "That's when Val called out 'layup drill.' That was the signal that the Rattlerettes would run a total fast break offense. That meant get the ball to Val and meet her at the goal. We went up 22 points. That was a game when I took the 'horses' out with about three-and-a-half minutes to go and the Rattler faithful booed me for not breaking the clock, even though we won the game 83-65," Clayton recalled.
Nonetheless, he was shocked of the news, as he was contacted by a FAMU alumnus last week. "It's saddening to hear about the loss of Val. Being a coach is like being a parent. You expect to go before they do. It hurts you to lose a player, especially so young, it's like losing one of your daughters," he concluded.
