Senate Resolution 17

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING COACH JERRY BOATNER OF WEST LAUDERDALE HIGH SCHOOL ON THE OCCASION OF HIS INDUCTION INTO THE MISSISSIPPI ASSOCIATION OF COACHES HALL OF FAME CLASS OF 2002.

WHEREAS, Coach Jerry Boatner, long-time Coach of West Lauderdale High School, has been selected for induction into the Mississippi Association of Coaches Hall of Fame, Class of 2002; and

WHEREAS, Jerry Boatner, at age 56, is entering his 29th year as head coach of the Knights. In Coach Boatner's previous 28 years, he has led the black and red to an overall record of 757 wins and 245 losses. Included in this number are 13 conference championships, 10 state titles, three state runner-up titles, 20 district championships and 21 invitational championships; and

WHEREAS, In 1993 and 2001, Coach Boatner was named Coach-of-the-Year by the National High School Coaches of America for District Six which includes Alabama, Mississippi, Missouri, Arkansas, Texas and Oklahoma. The National High School Baseball Coaches also awarded him Groundskeeper-of-the-Year in 1992 and 1993. Coach Boatner was chosen in 1992 as Baseball Coach-of-the-Year by the United States Baseball Federation. He has been named Conference Coach-of-the-Year 13 times and Area Coach-of-the-Year eight times. In 1994, he was chosen to coach the South Central Team in the State Games. In 1978 and 1990, he was honored by the Mississippi Association of Coaches as Coach-of-the-Year. In 1976 and 1996, hw was chosen as the South Coach for the Mississippi High School All-Star Baseball Game. He has also received an award from Delta State University for coaching achievement. Coach Boatner's 757 wins at West Lauderdale, along with 50 wins at Clarkdale, makes him the second winningest baseball coach in Mississippi and the eighth in the nation. He received the Wayne Twink Seyton Award in 1966 for Unselfish Love of Baseball. In 1990, he received the Clarion Ledger Coach-of-the-Year. He was inducted into Delta State University Alumni Coaches' Hall of Fame in 1998. In 1999 he was inducted into Crossroad Diamond Baseball Club's Hall of Fame; and

WHEREAS, one of the greatest honors bestowed upon Coach Boatner was when the people of Clarkdale High School named their baseball field in his honor in 1973. More recently, in 1992 and 1993, his West Lauderdale baseball field was named Field-of-the-Year by the National High School Baseball Coaches; and

WHEREAS, Coach Boatner is a 1963 graduate of Meridian High School where he earned eight letters--three in baseball, three in track and two in basketball. While attending East Mississippi Junior College, he lettered four more times--two in baseball and two in basketball. He was also a member of the State Champion Junior College baseball team in 1965. He is a graduate of Delta State University where he was a two-year letterman in baseball and a member of the 1968 baseball team that finished third in the College World Series. He earned a Master's Degree in Education at Delta State in 1971. In 1980, he earned his Education Specialist Degree from Mississippi State University. He is a member of Mississippi Association of Coaches, National High School Baseball Coaches Association and the American Baseball Coaches Association. He serves as State Chairman for the United States Baseball Federation, and is an associate scout for the Kansas City Royals; and

WHEREAS, in 1990, he was named Head Softball Coach. In these 11 years, he has compiled a record of 432 wins and only 91 losses. Included in these wins are eight district championships, four South State championships, one South State runner-up, five State championships, three State runners-up, and 15 Invitational championships. Coach Boatner was chosen Softball Coach-of-the-Year and All-Star Coach in 1998 by the Mississippi Association of Coaches and Lauderdale County Coach-of-the-Year in 1993, 1994, 1996 and 1997; and

WHEREAS, Coach Jerry Boatner and wife, Marsha Jo, have two children and four grandchildren. They are members of First Baptist Church in Collinsville; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize this outstanding coach who has brought honor to his school, his community and to the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Coach Jerry Boatner of West Lauderdale High School, upon his induction into the Mississippi Association of Coaches Hall of Fame Class of 2002, and wish him and his family continued success in all their future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Coach Boatner at induction ceremonies to be held on July 12, 2002, in Clinton, Mississippi, and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.