Senate Concurrent Resolution 563

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING LONGTIME MISSISSIPPI COLLEGE ATHLETIC DIRECTOR MIKE JONES UPON HIS INDUCTION INTO THE MISSISSIPPI SPORTS HALL OF FAME CLASS OF 2018.

WHEREAS, Mississippi College Athletic Director Mike Jones has been selected for induction into the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame, Class of 2018; and

WHEREAS, the announcement was made at a recent press conference at the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum. Jones will be joined in the Class of 2018 by Anna Jackson (Murrah Women's Basketball Coach), Lafayette Stribling (Mississippi Valley State Men's Basketball Coach), Billy Brewer (Ole Miss Football Coach), Joe Walker, Jr., (Mississippi College and Ole Miss Track-and-Field Coach), and Archie Moore (Boxer). The Induction Ceremony will take place on July 28, 2018; and

WHEREAS, "I am extremely humbled and honored to be included in the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2018," said Jones. "This would not have been possible without the support of my family, and especially my wife, Jane. I have been blessed to work with some outstanding coaches and people who have influenced my career, and I owe them a debt of gratitude for this great honor"; and

WHEREAS, following a career as a two-sport (baseball and basketball) student-athlete at Mississippi College, Coach Jones earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Education from Mississippi College in 1975 and his Master of Education Degree in School Administration in 1977; and

WHEREAS, he served as an Assistant Men's Basketball Coach at Southern Miss before taking over as Head Coach at Copiah-Lincoln Community College. Jones went 112-20 (.848) over four seasons, leading the Wolves to two Region 23 Championships and one State Title. He was inducted into the Co-Lin Sports Hall of Fame in 1996. Coach Jones then became the Head Men's Basketball Coach at Mississippi College in 1989 and compiled a 324-110 (.747) record over 16 seasons in Clinton. The Choctaws won one Gulf South Conference Championship (1994-1995) and four American Southwest Conference Titles. His teams reached the "Sweet Sixteen" round of the NCAA Division III Tournament three times; and

WHEREAS, for his head-coaching career, Jones posted a 436-130 (.770) record and had winning records in all 20 of his seasons, including 16 straight at Mississippi College. He was inducted into the Mississippi College Sports Hall of Fame in 2002; and

WHEREAS, Jones is in his sixteenth year as Mississippi College's Athletic Director and has spearheaded fundraising efforts to make improvements and additions to each facility and program in the department. Through the annual Mississippi College Athletics Dinner alone, Jones has helped the department bring in more than $2,000,000.00, while hosting some outstanding guests, including Bobby Bowden, John Smoltz, Gene Stallings, Fred McAfee and this year's speaker, Buck Showalter; and

WHEREAS, "As an alumnus, former athlete, teacher, outstanding coach, longtime Athletic Director, and devout Christian family man, Mike Jones represents the best of Mississippi College," said Mississippi College President Dr. Lee Royce. "The basketball court was named in his honor some years ago as a testimony to the appreciation and affection that so many members of the Mississippi College family feel toward Mike Jones. He has made an extraordinary difference in the lives of thousands of athletes over a lifetime of service. We rejoice in this additional and much-deserved recognition from the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame"; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we join the Mississippi College Athletic Program in celebrating this honor:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby recognize longtime Mississippi College Athletic Director Mike Jones upon his induction into the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2018, and extend our best wishes to Mike and his family for future success.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Mike Jones, forwarded to Mississippi College President Dr. Lee Royce, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.