MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2019 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Seymour, Burton, Fillingane, Jackson (32nd), Jolly, Norwood, Simmons (12th)
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION EXPRESSING THE CONDOLENCES OF THE MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE TO THE BEREAVED FAMILY OF LEGENDARY MISSISSIPPI GULF COAST COMMUNITY COLLEGE MEN'S BASKETBALL COACH BOB WEATHERS AND COMMENDING HIS LEGACY OF EXCELLENCE.
WHEREAS, longtime Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College (MGCCC) Men's Basketball Coach Bob Weathers, whose teams won 868 games and six State Championships, died September 27, 2018, in Hattiesburg at the age of 86; and
WHEREAS, "Coach Weathers left a legacy of excellence at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, and impacted the lives of hundreds of students throughout his tenure at the college," Gulf Coast President Dr. Mary S. Graham said. "We are grateful for all that Coach Weathers and his family did to support the college and have them in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time"; and
WHEREAS, Coach Weathers ranked fifth on the National Junior College Athletic Association All-Time Wins List and led the list of Mississippi Coaches; and
WHEREAS, Bob Weathers was born September 16, 1932, in Hattiesburg, and he grew up in Oak Grove. He was an All-State Basketball Player at Oak Grove High School as a senior in 1950. He went to Mississippi Southern College (now Southern Miss) and lettered in basketball for four years. He was Freshman Basketball Coach at his alma mater from 1955-1957, compiling a 30-5 record. In 1958-1959, he was a Graduate Assistant for the varsity team and earned his master's degree; and
WHEREAS, Picayune High School hired him as its Boys Head Basketball Coach in 1959, and his team went 13-10 before leaving to become Coach at Perkinston Junior College on July 20, 1960. His first Bulldogs team made it to the state playoffs, paving the way for his first South Division and State Championships the following season. It was the first basketball state title in school history, but it wouldn't be Weathers' last. He went on to win 868 games against only 329 losses in 42 years of service to the college, grabbing 15 Division Championships, nine State Titles, three Region 23 Crowns, and fourth-place and fifth-place finishes at the NJCAA National Tournament; and
WHEREAS, Coach Weathers retired June 30, 2002, after having worked for the college for 41 years, 11 months and 10 days. He set the school's 20th Century record for service to the school. Bob was the winningest active coach in the NJCAA at the time of his retirement. He was inducted into five different Halls of Fame for his tremendous accomplishments: NJCAA Basketball Hall of Fame (1994), USM Sports Hall of Fame (1995), Mississippi Association of Coaches Hall of Fame (1999), MGCCC Athletic Hall of Fame (1999), and the MACJC Sports Hall of Fame (2007). The gym on the Perkinston Campus was renamed the Weathers/Wentzell Center on October 25, 2007; and
WHEREAS, Coach Weathers is survived by his wife, Tommie Jean; son, Wendell, who succeeded him as MGCCC Men's Basketball Coach; daughter-in-law, Tammie; and grandchildren: Ross, Rob and Emily. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ross A. Weathers and Virgie Rainey Weathers; and sons, Richard Anthony "Tony" Weathers and Robert Wayne "Little Bob" Weathers; and
WHEREAS, we pay tribute and cherish fondly the memory of this legendary sports mentor and public-spirited citizen 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 express the condolences of the Mississippi Legislature to the bereaved family of legendary Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College Men's Basketball Coach Bob Weathers and commend his legacy of excellence.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the surviving family of Coach Weathers, forwarded to the Board of Trustees of MGCCC, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.