House Resolution 100

A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING AND CONGRATULATING MR. ASHLEY ROBINSON, VICE PRESIDENT AND DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS AT JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY, AS THE FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN SELECTED AS PRESIDENT OF THE DIVISION I FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP SUBDIVISION ATHLETICS DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION.

WHEREAS, the Division I Football Championship Subdivision Athletics Directors Association (FCS ADA) has selected Mr. Ashley Robinson, Vice President and Director of Athletics at Jackson State University, to serve as President for the 2020-2021 membership year; and

WHEREAS, beginning his second year at Jackson State University, Mr. Robinson stated "It's an honor to serve as the President of the Division I Football Championship Subdivision Athletics Directors Association for the upcoming year. Our highest priorities remain giving voice to our membership while supporting both the incredible sport of football and the Football Championship Subdivision brand. We are dedicated to building upon the outstanding work of the Division I Football Championship Subdivision Athletics Directors Association and ensuring our student-athletes have the first-class academic and athletic experiences they so deserve"; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Robinson is the first African American to serve as Division I Football Championship Subdivision Athletics Directors Association President, after taking over for Kent Haslam, Director of Athletics at the University of Montana, who served for the 2019-2020 year and will transition to Immediate Past President; and

WHEREAS, in addition to Mr. Robinson, the following directors of athletics will serve as Division I Football Championship Subdivision Athletics Directors Association Officers for the 2020-2021 membership year: 1st Vice President Nicki Moore, Director of Athletics at Colgate University; 2nd Vice President Tom Michael, Director of Athletics at Eastern Illinois University; and 3rd Vice President Milton Overton, Director of Athletics at Kennesaw State University; and

WHEREAS, furthermore, the following directors of athletics will serve on the Division I Football Championship Subdivision Athletics Directors Association Executive Committee: Mark Orr, Sacramento State (Big Sky); Chris King, Robert Morris University (Big South); Mark Benson, University at Albany (Colonial); Vicky Chun, Yale University (Ivy); Ed Scott, Morgan State University (MEAC); David Herbster, University of South Dakota (Missouri Valley); Jeremy Gibson, Merrimack College (Northeast); Kurt McGuffin, University of Tennessee at Martin (Ohio Valley); Jeff Altier, Stetson University (Pioneer); Ryan Ivey, Stephen F. Austin State University (Southland); and Derek Horne, Alcorn State University (SWAC); and

WHEREAS, now in its 27th year, the Football Championship Subdivision Athletics Directors Association's mission is to enhance Football Championship Subdivision football, and the Division I Football Championship Subdivision Athletics Directors Association is administered by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics, which is in its 56th year; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize and commend outstanding college football administrators, especially those such as Mr. Robinson, who has brought honor to his university, his community and to the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby recognize and congratulate Mr. Ashley Robinson, Vice President and Director of Athletics at Jackson State University, as the first African American selected as President of the Division I Football Championship Subdivision Athletics Directors Association, and extend best wishes for continued success in all of his future endeavors.

Be it further resolved, that copies of this resolution be furnished to Mr. Ashley Robinson, the Acting President of Jackson State University and the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning, and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.