MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1998 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Representative Blackmon

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING TEVESTER ANDERSON ON HIS OUTSTANDING COACHING CAREER AND FOR BEING NAMED THE HEAD COACH OF MURRAY STATE UNIVERSITY. 

WHEREAS, Tevester Anderson, currently Assistant Coach at Murray State University, has been coaching basketball for over 30 years; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Anderson, a native of Canton, Mississippi, received a degree in premedicine from Arkansas AM&N and a master's in biology from North Carolina A&T; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Anderson began his coaching career at the high school level at Rogers High School in Canton, Mississippi, where he led the team to two state championships in nine prep seasons; and

WHEREAS, one of his star players at Rogers High School, Rowland Garrett attended Florida State University and later played professional basketball with the Chicago Bulls; and

WHEREAS, following his tenure at Rogers High School, Mr. Anderson served as Head Coach at West Fulton High School in Atlanta, Georgia, guiding the squad to back-to-back Class AA state titles in 1975 and 1976; and

WHEREAS, Ricky Brown, one of Mr. Anderson's phenomenal athletes at West Fulton High School, attended Mississippi State University and played professional basketball with the Golden State Warriors; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Anderson has an impressive composite high school coaching record of 416 wins and 98 losses; and

WHEREAS, after his high school coaching career, Mr. Anderson served as an assistant to Sonny Smith at Auburn University, playing a prominent role in leading the Tigers to three straight NCAA Tournament appearances; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Anderson then spent nine years at the University of Georgia under Hugh Durham as an assistant and then an associate head coach in 1989; and

WHEREAS, throughout his 14 years coaching in the Southeastern Conference, Mr. Anderson was instrumental in attracting talent such as NBA performers, Carlos Strong, Litterial Green, Elmore Spencer, Rod Anderson, Antonio Harvey, Charles Barkley, Chuck Person and Chris Morris; and

WHEREAS, following his coaching career at Georgia, Mr. Anderson accepted the assistant coach position with Murray State University in 1995; and

WHEREAS, since 1984, Mr. Anderson has been the Head Coach of the United States Virgin Islands National Team, leading the team to tournaments and competitions all over the western hemisphere; and

WHEREAS, a man of true character, Mr. Anderson has been recognized for numerous awards such as one of the nation's top recruiters of student athletes, one of the winningest high school coaches in the State of Georgia and the nation's best recruiter in recognizing basketball talent; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Anderson has been lovingly supported in all his endeavors by his gracious wife, Joyce, and their children, Fernandez, Tanja, Tevester, Jr., Timothy, Frederick, Adonica, Stephen, Tiffany and Paul; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Anderson, who loves the State of Mississippi and frequently visits, is a man who has unselfishly devoted his time and energy to being a true friend and confidant for his players; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize and pay tribute to such an outstanding Mississippian as Mr. Tevester Anderson, whose long and distinguished career exemplifies his talents as a coach, a recruiter, and a friend to all his players:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend Mr. Tevester Anderson on an outstanding coaching career and for being named the Head Coach of Murray State University and extend our heartiest wishes in all his future endeavors.

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