MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1998 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Hamilton, Johnson (19th), Browning, Moffatt, Dearing, Posey, Burton, Nunnelee

Senate Concurrent Resolution 566

(As Adopted by Senate and House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING RON POLK FOR HIS OUTSTANDING BASEBALL COACHING CAREER. 

WHEREAS, from his hiring in 1976 to his retirement from coaching following the 1997 season, Ron Polk compiled an incredible 888-422 worksheet as the Bulldog skipper, easily becoming the winningest coach in Mississippi State University and Southeastern Conference history; and

WHEREAS, a native of Boston, Massachusetts, but reared in Phoenix, Arizona, Ron Polk began his career as a collegiate head coach in Statesboro, Georgia, at Georgia Southern; and

WHEREAS, in November 1975, Polk received an invitation to become the Bulldogs' 13th head baseball coach and accepted the challenge to build on Mississippi State's rich baseball tradition, leading the Bulldogs to the vanguard of college baseball in the highly competitive Southeastern Conference; and

WHEREAS, Polk became only the 16th coach in college baseball history to reach the 1,000-win pinnacle, his team advancing to the coveted NCAA College World Series seven times and appearing in 18 NCAA Regional tournaments; and

WHEREAS, in 1995, Baseball America rated Ron Polk ninth on its list of the top 10 power brokers in all of amateur/collegiate baseball; and

WHEREAS, twice during his career, in 1973 while at Georgia Southern and again in 1985 while at Mississippi State, Polk has been selected as the National Coach of the Year, and in 1995, he was inducted into the ABCA's Hall of Fame, joining 160 other all-time amateur baseball coaching greats; and

WHEREAS, Polk completed his fifth stint on the USA Baseball coaching staff in 1996, assisting long-time friend and coaching associate Skip Bertman in the development and coaching of the USA Baseball team that competed in the 1996 Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta; and

WHEREAS, named assistant athletic director in 1994, Polk administered a well-polished baseball program that rates as one of the nation's precious few profit-making college baseball ventures; and

WHEREAS, Polk's attention to detail and planning has allowed him to devote time to a hectic schedule on the banquet speaking circuit, where his sharp wit and keen perspective on life both on and off the baseball field combine to make him one of the more popular guests at alumni, university and baseball-related engagements; and

WHEREAS, as the author of "The Baseball Playbook," the nation's leading college textbook for baseball coaching classes, Polk is also in great demand at baseball coaching clinics from coast to coast; and

WHEREAS, in his new role as an assistant athletic director, Polk has taken on the task of fund raising for an ambitious $2-plus million expansion project at Polk-DeMent Stadium with plans calling for the construction of 18 skyboxes and the addition of more than 1,000 chairback seats; and

WHEREAS, Ron Polk will serve as the Head Coach on the USA Baseball coaching staff in 1998 and will be inducted into the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame on March 27, 1998:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend Ron Polk for his outstanding baseball coaching career and wish him continued success in the future.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be made available to the Capitol Press Corps and be furnished to Ron Polk.