House Concurrent Resolution 76

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING COACH SAM RICHEY ON BECOMING MISSISSIPPI'S MOST WINNING HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL COACH.

WHEREAS, Coach Sam Richey made Mississippi basketball history on Tuesday, January 8, 2002, capturing his 868th career win as head coach of the Baldwyn Bearcats, defeating Bruce 68-60 before an excited crowd of more than 500 spectators; and

WHEREAS, after being hired in 1967 to teach science in Jumpertown, Mississippi, Coach Richey began his career in coaching basketball by coaching Jumpertown's B Team; and

WHEREAS, instead of finding his niche in the chemistry lab, Coach Richey, however, has made his livelihood coaching high school boys basketball; and

WHEREAS, Coach Richey's dramatic victory over Bruce, allowed the 63-year-old Wheeler, Mississippi, native and 1963 Mississippi State University graduate to surpass the state record previously held by Ronald Ladner, who won 867 games in 33 seasons of coaching at Sellers, Harrison Central, Hancock and Pearl River Central; and

WHEREAS, in the course of his 35-year career of coaching at Jumpertown, Wheeler and Baldwyn, Coach Richey has accumulated quite an impressive record of 868-368 overall, which boasts a winning percentile of approximately 71 percent; and

WHEREAS, Coach Richey has taken these three teams to the Mississippi High School Activities Association's Boys State Tournament a combined total of 17 times, which resulted in reaching 10 state finals, and winning six of those finals; and

WHEREAS, while coaching the Wheeler High School boys basketball team, Coach Richey witnessed his 1989-1990 team gain an average 92.8 points per game, winning one of the six state titles; and

WHEREAS, Coach Richey's record chase has motivated the Baldwyn Bearcats to play harder and inspired them to win in order to reach his goal, but even more so to strive for the team's ultimate goal, which is the MHSAA Class 2A state championship; and

WHEREAS, through his 35 years of coaching and conditioning, Coach Richey has superbly coached and inspired all of his teams' players, and has broadened their knowledge of the game and refined their skills in execution; and

WHEREAS, having the privilege to coach his son, Clay, and his nephew, Guy Gardner, at Baldwyn, Coach Richey has had the constant support of his family: wife, Dale Richey; children, Clark and Clay; and six grandchildren; and

WHEREAS, Coach Richey's exhibition of superior coaching technique has proven successful as evidenced by the great accomplishment of meeting and surpassing the existing state record for career wins by a basketball coach; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to recognize and commend excellence in the accomplishments of such an outstanding Mississippian and coach as Coach Sam Richey, whose rise to the top will always be remembered:

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 the accomplishment of Coach Sam Richey on becoming Mississippi's most winning high school basketball coach with his 868th victory.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Coach Sam Richey, Jumpertown, Wheeler and Baldwyn High Schools and members of the Capitol Press Corps.