MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2021 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Frazier, Norwood, Blount, Blackmon, Witherspoon, Horhn, Thomas, Simmons (12th), Kirby, Barnett, Caughman, Jackson (11th)
A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM FOR WINNING THE 2019-2020 SOUTHWESTERN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE REGULAR SEASON CHAMPIONSHIP AND HEAD COACH TOMEKIA REED FOR BEING NAMED THE 2019-2020 COACH OF THE YEAR.
WHEREAS, the Jackson State University Lady Tigers won the 2019-2020 Regular Season Championship and qualified as the No. 1 seed in the 2020 Tournament before COVID-19 caused the cancellation of postseason play; and
WHEREAS, the 2019-2020 Jackson State University women's basketball team will go down in the university's history as one of the most dominant in the history of the university; and
WHEREAS, the Lady Tigers opened conference play with a 12-0 start, which is the university's best; and
WHEREAS, the Jackson State University Lady Tigers finished conference play with a 16-2 mark which tied the university's record; and
WHEREAS, Ameshya Williams, Marneisha Hamer and Dayzsha Rogan were named to the all-conference team and Ameshya Williams was also named as the 2019-2020 Defensive Player of the Year; and
WHEREAS, Coach Tomekia Reed developed a winning team with an outstanding group of women consisting of: Ieisha Lacey, Kaisah Lucky, Antionette Womack, D'Asia Mitchell, Ameshya Williams, Walneika Holmes, Keshuna Luckett, Sumer Williams, Elexis Peyton, Kristy Parker, J'Niya Tallie, Marneisha Hamer, Dayzsha Rogan, Cherelle Jones, and Shelby Augustine; and
WHEREAS, Coach Tomekia Reed was ably assisted by Richard Bradley (Assistant Coach), Juanita Ward (Assistant Coach), Lashonda Cousin (Graduate Assistant), Joshua Goss (Head Manager) and Johnny Forrest IV (Team Manager); and
WHEREAS, for propelling the Jackson State University Lady Tigers to new heights, Coach Tomekia Reed, the new Queen of the SWAC, was named the 2019-2020 Southwest Athletic Conference Coach of the Year; and
WHEREAS, Coach Reed and her staff have elevated the Jackson State University Lady Basketball program to new heights in two short years; and
WHEREAS, Tomekia Reed had a stellar career at Murrah High School in Jackson, Mississippi, where she was coached by legendary Coach Anna Jackson; and
WHEREAS, Coach Reed had successful assistant coaching stints at South Georgia Technical College, Jackson State University, The University of Southern Mississippi, Louisiana Tech, Louisiana-Lafayette and New Orleans before being named as Head Women's Basketball Coach at Hinds Community College; and
WHEREAS, success at all stops led Jackson State University to selecting Tomekia Reed as the coach to lead the program to new heights; and
WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize this group of student athletes for representing the State of Mississippi with dignity and honor on the basketball court and in the classroom:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the Jackson State University Lady Tigers for winning the 2019-2020 Southwestern Athletic Conference Regular Season Championship and Head Coach Tomekia Reed upon being named the 2019-2020 Southwestern Athletic Conference Coach of the Year, and extend to the team, coaches, parents and sponsors our best wishes for future success.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Head Coach Tomekia Reed, President Thomas Hudson, Athletic Director Ashley Robinson, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.