MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1998 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Representatives Green (34th), Williams, Capps, Compretta, Denny, Ford, Franks, Gadd, Grist, Guice, Hamilton, Holden, Howell, Janus, Ketchings, King, Livingston, Martinson, McBride, McElwain, McInnis, Miles, Mitchell, Moak, Morris, Moss, Perry, Read, Reeves, Reynolds, Rogers, Simpson, Smith (39th), Stevens, Wallace, Weathersby, West, Woods, Young

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING STEWART PATRIDGE FOR AN OUTSTANDING FOOTBALL COLLEGIATE CAREER AND FOR RECEIVING THE 1997 "CONERLY TROPHY" AS MISSISSIPPI'S TOP COLLEGIATE PLAYER. 

WHEREAS, Mr. Stewart Patridge, son of Mr. and Mrs. Jimmy Patridge, had an incredible football collegiate career as Quarterback for the University of Mississippi and received the 1997 "Conerly Trophy" as Mississippi's top collegiate player; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Patridge, a native of Morgan City, Mississippi, attended Pillow Academy High School, earning three letters in football, baseball and basketball; and

WHEREAS, while an honor roll student at Pillow Academy, Mr. Patridge was named All-Conference his junior and senior years, Area Athlete of the Year and team Most Valuable Player his junior and senior years; and

WHEREAS, after graduating from high school in 1993, Mr. Patridge attended Mississippi Delta Community College, where he helped lead the football team to a 12-0 record and a national Junior College Championship; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Patridge played for only one year at Mississippi Delta Community College before transferring to the University of Mississippi in Oxford, Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, in 1995, Mr. Patridge did not play and was redshirted, retaining two years of eligibility to play for the Ole Miss Rebels; and

WHEREAS, earning his first letter in 1996 by playing in 10 of the 11 games, Mr. Patridge became the No. 2 quarterback behind Paul Head, replacing Mr. Head in the final three games of the season; and

WHEREAS, during the 1996 season, Mr. Patridge completed 79 of 154 passes for 876 yards with three touchdowns and four interceptions, completing an individual game high of 17 passes for the win against Georgia; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Patridge received numerous awards while playing at the University of Mississippi including the 1997 Ole Miss Quarterback Club Player of the Year, Offensive Player of the Week, SEC Player of the Week and was named as the ESPN National Player of the Week after the LSU game when he completed 27 of 43 passes for 346 yards and two touchdowns as the Rebels upset the No. 8 ranked Tigers, 36-21 in Baton Rouge; and

WHEREAS, the only quarterback in Ole Miss history to pass for over 200 yards in nine games in a single season, Mr. Patridge also holds the school record for 200 straight passes without an interception; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Patridge, having only started 14 games, ranks 6th for most passes completed, 7th for pass attempts and 7th for passing yards; and

WHEREAS, leading the Rebels to a post-season bowl appearance in the first Ford Motor City Bowl, Mr. Patridge was named Most Valuable Player as he completed 29 of 47 passes for 332 yards and three touchdowns; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Patridge finished his career at Ole Miss completing 310 of 510 passes for 3,564 yards and 15 touchdowns, giving him a 60.6 completion percentage, which is the third all time best in Rebel history and rating him 8th in school history for total offense; and

WHEREAS, the Legislature of the State of Mississippi finds it most appropriate to pay special tribute to such a remarkable athlete as Mr. Stewart Patridge, who has brought great honor to Mississippi through his winning and cooperative spirit and high degree of sportsmanship:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we commend and congratulate Mr. Stewart Patridge, of Morgan City, Mississippi, for an outstanding football collegiate career, for displaying tireless devotion to his athletic endeavors and for receiving the 1997 "Conerly Trophy" as Mississippi's top collegiate player.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Mr. Stewart Patridge and the Capitol Press Corps.