Senate Concurrent Resolution 607

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING TROY ARLISS RICKS, CHAMPIONSHIP BASKETBALL PLAYER AND COACH FROM WHEELER, MISSISSIPPI, UPON HIS INDUCTION INTO THE MISSISSIPPI SPORTS HALL OF FAME, CLASS OF 2007.

WHEREAS, the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame has unveiled the Class of 2007, which features Troy Arliss Ricks from Wheeler, Mississippi, championship basketball player and Coach with Wheeler High School, Delta State University, Copiah-Lincoln Community College, Mississippi Delta Community College and Hinds Community College; and

WHEREAS, amazingly, Troy Ricks never played on or coached basketball teams with a losing record; and

WHEREAS, Troy Ricks basketball career highlights include the following:

· Inducted into the Delta State Alumni Coaches Hall of Fame, 2002; charter member of Mississippi Delta Community College Athletic Hall of Fame, 1999; scholarship established in Ricks' name at Hinds Community College, 1999; inducted into the Copiah-Lincoln Community College Athletic Hall of Fame, 1995; inducted into the Hinds Community College Athletic Hall of Fame, 1992; inducted into the Delta State Athletic Hall of Fame, 1973; and Distinguished Service Award, Mississippi Coaches Association, 1970.

· Head Basketball and Baseball Coach, Hinds Junior College, Raymond, Mississippi, 1951-1970: overall career coaching record, 441-156, 73%; led team to State Junior College Final Four 8 of his last 10 years; Hinds hoop teams compiled a record of 323-148, 69%; coached Hinds to the school's first State JUCO title, 1967, team made an appearance in national JUCO tournament; led team to Mississippi JUCO South Division Championships; coached Hinds baseball team to State Junior College Title in 1957.

· Head Basketball and Football Coach, Principal, Raymond High School, Raymond, Mississippi, 1949-1951 (overall high school coaching record: 54-4): led Ranger Basketball Team to record of 40-3 and coached football team to State Championship game.

· Head Basketball Coach, Copiah-Lincoln Junior College, Wesson, Mississippi, 1947-1949: consecutive State JUCO Championships, 55-2 record.

· Head Basketball Coach, Saltillo High School, Saltillo, Mississippi, 1946-1947: coached team to 23-3 record and 1947 State Championship and led Tupelo Legionnaires (AAU) to quarterfinals of National Tournament in Atlanta, Georgia.

· U.S. Army, 1943-1946, played service basketball in South Pacific.

· Union Wire Rope, Kansas City, Missouri, Pro-Basketball Team, 1941-1942: signed contract with the Sheboygan Redskins (which eventually became part of the NBA), but was drafted into the U.S. Army; team captured the league title; named to the All-Tournament Team.

· Delta State, Point Guard, 1939-1941: paced the Statesmen to a 3rd Place National finish in the NAIB Tournament, 1940; Two-time NAIB All-American; Two-time NAIB All Tournament Team; and led all guards in scoring average with 22 ppg. scored 105 points in his DSU career, a national record at that time.

· Sunflower Junior College, Moorhead, Mississippi, Point Guard, 1937-1939: led team to two consecutive State JUCO Championships and Mississippi Valley Conference Championship; and named All-State & MVP two consecutive years.

· Wheeler High School, Wheeler, Mississippi, 1933-1937: named All-Tournament in every tournament in which he played; named MVP in several tournaments; and named MVP for Prentiss County, 1933; and

WHEREAS, while serving in the Army in the South Pacific during World War II, Ricks was approached in the middle of combat theaters to play basketball. The first incident was on the Island of Biak when Ralph Miller, Oregon State's future Hall of Fame Coach, spotted Ricks walking down the road while he was driving in a jeep and picked him to play several basketball games; and

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

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 Troy Arliss Ricks, Championship basketball player and Coach from Wheeler, Mississippi, upon his induction into the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame, Class of 2007, and wish him and his family continued success in all their future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Troy Ricks at induction ceremonies on July 27-28, 2007, and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.