MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1998 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Representative Maples

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING MELANIE BLACK ON BEING NAMED 1997 GIRLS' COACH OF THE YEAR. 

WHEREAS, Melanie Black of Lucedale, Mississippi, is Coach of the George County High School Lady Rebels basketball, track and cross country teams; and

WHEREAS, in recognition of her outstanding leadership abilities and the tremendous accomplishments of her George County teams, Coach Black was unanimously named The Mississippi Press 1997 Girls' Coach of the Year after having captured the honor during its inaugural year in 1996; and

WHEREAS, in 1994, Coach Black took what she called "a leap of faith" when she said goodbye to family and friends and came to George County from McLaurin Attendance Center in Florence, where she had compiled a 146-76 record in eight years; and

WHEREAS, although the Lady Rebels basketball team had won only eight games in the two years preceding her arrival at George County, during Coach Black's first season, the Class 4A team made an impressive turn around and posted a sensational 21-9 record; and

WHEREAS, in the following year, with their record improving to 26-6, the hardworking Lady Rebels captured the South State Tournament and advanced to the Overall Tournament semifinals; and

WHEREAS, with the 1996-1997 squad racking up a sensational 30-4 record and advancing to the South State Tournament and the Overall Tournament semifinals for the second year in a row, Coach Black has achieved her goal of bringing respect to the Lady Rebels basketball program; and

WHEREAS, Melanie Black's outstanding coaching ability is not limited to the basketball court, as she ably demonstrated during the 1996-1997 year when she brought additional honor to George County High School as she led the Lady Rebels track team to win its first state championship in the school's history; and

WHEREAS, emphasizing the concepts of teamwork, long hours and attention to detail, Coach Black, also an English teacher, is very highly regarded by the students, faculty and staff at George County High School and in the Lucedale community; and

WHEREAS, the members of the Legislature believe it is most appropriate to pay special recognition to Coach Melanie Black, a shining example of an outstanding Mississippian who has devoted her life to being a leader and role model to the youth of our state, who are its future:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Coach Melanie Black of George County High School on being named The Mississippi Press 1997 Girls' Coach of the Year and extend to her our heartiest wishes for success in all her future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Coach Melanie Black, George County High School and the Capitol Press Corps.