MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2021 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Norwood, Frazier, Blount, Horhn, Simmons (12th), Barnett, Butler, Caughman, Chism, Hopson, Thomas, Turner-Ford, Williams, Witherspoon, Jackson (32nd), Simmons (13th)
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION EXTENDING THE DEEPEST SYMPATHY OF THE MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE TO THE BEREAVED FAMILY OF FORMER JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY HALL OF FAME COACH WILLIAM C. "W.C." GORDEN AND EXPRESSING OUR CONDOLENCES TO THE JACKSON STATE ADMINISTRATION AND FOOTBALL ALUMNI ON HIS PASSING.
WHEREAS, we join the students, faculty, administration and football alumni of Jackson State University in mourning the passing of former Jackson State University College Football Hall of Fame Coach "W.C." Gorden, the winningest Coach in Jackson State football history, who passed away on October 23, 2020, at the age of 90; and
WHEREAS, during Gorden's tenure at Jackson State over 15 seasons, he led the Tigers to a share of eight Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Championships and nine National Collegiate Athletic Association Football Championship Subdivision (NCAA FCS) playoff appearances and a Black College Football National Championship; and
WHEREAS, in the mid-80s, the Blue Bengals enjoyed historic success, winning a school record 28 consecutive SWAC Conference Games from 1985 to 1989. The Tennessee State alum finished with a 76-17 SWAC record and 43-31-5 nonconference record en route to an impressive 119-47-5 overall record; and
WHEREAS, Gorden was inducted into the SWAC Hall of Fame in 1994; the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame in 1997; the College Football Hall of Fame in 2008 and the Black College Football Hall of Fame in 2015; and
WHEREAS, William C. Gorden began his coaching career in 1957 at Magnolia, Mississippi, where he served as Athletic Director and Head Football, Baseball, Basketball and Track Coach at the now defunct Eva Gordon High School. In 1966, William C. Gorden departed Magnolia, Mississippi, and was named Head Football Coach and Athletic Director at Temple High School in Vicksburg, Mississippi, leading Temple to the prestigious Big 8 Conference State Football Crown in 1966 when his football team racked up a perfect 11-0 record. Coach Gorden arrived at Jackson State University in 1971 when he was selected as Defensive Coordinator and Head Baseball Coach. Coach Gorden was named Jackson State Head Football Coach in 1977 and remained in that position until 1991; and
WHEREAS, his vast list of community service work and memberships is incredible, including Boy Scouts of America; Phi Delta Kappa; American Association for Physical Educators; Charter Member of the Opera South Guild; Central United Methodist Church; Free Football Clinic in Prichard, Alabama; WLBT TV Easter Seal Telethon; Summer Youth Program in Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Mississippi Mental Health Club; Jackson Noon Optimist Club; Volunteer Assistant in Partners for Education; Key Communicator for Jackson Public Schools; Jackson Touchdown Club; SWAC Alumni Association Charter Member and Chairman of the Constitution and Laws Committee; Board of Directors, Pearl River Valley Water Supply District; Enterprise Community Governance Structure Citizens Advisory Board; Jackson City Planning Board; Jackson-Hinds Comprehensive Health Center Central Mississippi; Town Creek Tributary Number 4 Drainage Improvement for Georgetown Community; Chairman of the 1997 Transition Team Task Force on Parks and Recreation in the City of Jackson; Board Member for the Algebra Project at Lanier High School; Chairman, Central United Methodist Church Courtesy Committee; lifetime member, Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Sports Foundation; volunteer for Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame Museum; Chairman of Committee for Dedication of the Health and Physical Education Complex at Lather High School; and Board Member of "Make a Wish" Foundation; and
WHEREAS, Gorden, a native of Nashville, Tennessee, is survived by his wife, Vivian Howard Gorden, two sons and five grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, we pay tribute and cherish fondly the memory of a Mississippi sports icon. The tradition and excellence W.C. Gorden brought to JSU is unmatched and will live on through countless generations:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby extend the deepest sympathy of the Mississippi Senate to the bereaved family of former Jackson State University Hall of Fame Coach William C. "W.C." Gorden and express our condolences to the Jackson State Administration and football alumni on his passing.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the surviving family of Coach Gorden, forwarded to the President of Jackson State University and the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.