Senate Concurrent Resolution 526

(As Adopted by Senate)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING MISSISSIPPI'S ALL-TIME WINNINGEST BOYS BASKETBALL COACH SAM RICHEY UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS RECORD-SETTING 868TH VICTORY.

WHEREAS, on Tuesday, January 8, 2002, Baldwyn High School Boys Basketball Coach Sam Richey became Mississippi's all-time winningest hoops coach by winning his 868th high school boys basketball game; and

WHEREAS, Senior guard Nick Armstrong scored 24 points as Baldwyn blew a 13-point lead before beating Bruce 68-60 as an estimated 500 enthusiastic fans saw history unfold before their very eyes; and

WHEREAS, RICHEY, who has won six state titles during a 35-year career, has an 868-360 overall record at Jumpertown, Wheeler and Baldwyn, winning nearly 71 percent of the time; and

WHEREAS, a 63-year-old Wheeler native and Mississippi State graduate who has been involved in basketball since 1966, Richey surpassed Roland Ladner, who won 867 games in 33 seasons at Sellers, Harrison Central, Hancock and Pearl River Central; and

WHEREAS, Sam Richey hasn't won 868 high school boys basketball games without countless nail-biting, down-to-wire finishes; and

WHEREAS, "I'm real happy to get that over with," Richey said amid congratulations from wife Dale, sons Clark and Clay and other Baldwyn fans who made the 65-mile trip from Prentiss County. "We can relax now and go on with our season. The record was on my mind a little bit tonight. The kids hung in there, made some clutch plays and pulled it out for me"; and

WHEREAS, Dale Richey has seen her husband make 17 Boys State Tournament appearances, and Clark Richey, in his second year of broadcasting Baldwyn football and basketball games, called the action on Booneville radio station WBIP: "I've never been accused of being impartial, but neither is Jack Cristil or the Ole Miss announcers," he said. "I was proud to be able to broadcast this historic game"; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize this record-setting achievement from this legendary coach, whose character and strength have served as an example to the many young men and future Mississippi citizens he has led over the past 35 years:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Baldwyn High School Boys and Mississippi's All-time Winningest Basketball Coach Sam Richey upon the occasion of his record-setting 868th victory, and wish him and his family continued success in their athletic and future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this resolution be presented to Coach Richey and his family, be forwarded to the Principal of Baldwyn High School, the members of the 2002 Boys Basketball Team, and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.