Senate Resolution 10

A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE SPORTS AND CIVIC LEGACY OF COACH L.D. READY, SR., OF RICHTON, MISSISSIPPI.

WHEREAS, we join the citizens of Richton, Mississippi, in recognizing the accomplishments and civic contributions and military service of a Hall of Fame Coach from Perry County; and

WHEREAS, Louis Dantzler Ready, better known as "L.D." or "Coach Ready," was born in 1931. He was one of eight children born to Quinn and Minnie Ready and grew up in the rural Perry County Community known as "Buck Creek" or "The Flats." He and his younger sister, Edwina, were the only children of Quinn and Minnie Ready who went to college and received a degree; and

WHEREAS, L.D. graduated from Runnelstown High School in 1951 where he was a four-year starter on the basketball team. His team made it to the state finals his senior year but was defeated by Johnston Station. He was selected to the All-State Team in 1951; and

WHEREAS, L.D. received a basketball scholarship to attend Jones County Junior College (JCJC) in 195l and was a two-year starter for Coach A.B. Howard. Coach Troy Bush also talked him into becoming a member of the tennis team, even though L.D. had never played tennis before. Some of the honors that he received while at JCJC were: Sophomore Class President; Most Friendly; Homecoming King; Mr. JCJC; and Honorable Mention All-State Basketball, two years; and

WHEREAS, after attending Jones County Junior College, he attended Delta State on a basketball scholarship, where he was also a two-year starter for the basketball team. He must have enjoyed playing tennis at Jones because he also became a member of the tennis team at Delta State. While attending Delta State, he was voted Most Handsome. It was at Delta State that he met his "Delta Sweetheart," Rose Gibson, who also would become his wife in 1956. J.D. graduated from Delta State in 1955 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Physical Education and a Minor in Mathematics; and

WHEREAS, upon his graduation from Delta State in 1955, he received and accepted his first, last and only coaching job at Richton High School as the Head Basketball Coach. Little did he know then, that he would still be coaching and teaching at the same school some 35 years later. He retired from teaching and coaching in 1990; and

WHEREAS, during his first year at Richton, the school had no gymnasium, only an outdoor, dirt court to practice on. In 1956, the Mississippi National Guard Armory was built adjacent to the school's property, and the school was able to use its gymnasium until 1975 at which time the Richton School finished construction of its own gymnasium; and

WHEREAS, Coach Ready wore many different caps (or whistles) during his 35-year coaching career at Richton High School. In the earlier years, he also served as Assistant Football Coach for the high school football team and served as the Head Basketball Coach for both the girls' and boys' junior and senior high school teams. For several years, he served as the boys' and girls' junior and senior high school track coach. Coach Ready also served as the High School Principal for two years, 1980-1982, and served as the school's Athletic Director for several years. During the springtime and summer months, he coached little league baseball for the Community of Richton; and

WHEREAS, L.D. continued his educational pursuit by attending classes at night and during the summer months at William Carey College to get his Master's Degree. That was certainly no easy task for a coach with four children and a wife with her own career in teaching. However, he was able to receive his Master's Degree in Physical Education and Administration in 1978; and

WHEREAS, during his coaching career at Richton High School, his teams won many conference, district and south-state titles. During his 35 years as the boys' Head Coach, his varsity teams had winning records for 32 of the 35 basketball seasons, in at least four years in which his Rebels played in the state playoffs in Jackson. Some of the conferences that his teams participated in over the years were the Rebel Conference, Singing River Conference, Cotton Valley Conference, and the Pine Belt Conference. He was voted Conference Coach of Year in 1966, 1967, 1981, 1983, 1985 and 1988. He was selected by the Hattiesburg American as the All-Area Coach of the Year, 1986-1987; and

WHEREAS, upon his retirement from teaching and coaching, in 1990, the Richton Separate School District named the school's gymnasium "The L.D. Ready Gymnasium" in his honor. A group of his former players have also honored him by establishing "The L.D. Ready Scholarship" that is awarded each year at the Richton High School athletic banquet to an outstanding graduating senior; and

WHEREAS, L.D. has been married to his "Delta State Sweetheart," Mattie Rose Ready, for over 60 years. He started coaching in 1955 and was married on May 12, 1956. They have four children: Dan, Sharon, Mart and Lee; and six grandchildren. All four of their children attended JCJC on athletic scholarships. Three of their grandchildren, Drew and Kris Ready, and Lindsey Anderson, have attended JCJC. Coach L.D. Ready is still very active with his work, community, church, family and his Alma Mater, JCJC; and

WHEREAS, L.D. joined the Mississippi National Guard in 1955. He retired from the Mississippi National Guard in 1991 after serving over 27 years, an outstanding legacy; and

WHEREAS, L.D. served three terms on the Board of Aldermen for the Town of Richton. He also worked part-time for the Perry-Forrest County Soil & Water Conservation District as a District Technician. He has been employed with them since 1991; and

WHEREAS, L.D. has been a member of the Richton United Methodist Church since 1956. He has served as Sunday School Teacher, Sunday School Superintendent, member of the Properties and Finance Committees, and Lay Leader. He teaches the Senior Adults Sunday School Class; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we honor a great Mississippian, whose character, hard work, athletic ability, faith in God and enormous community spirit are an example to all citizens in Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby recognize the sports and civic legacy of Coach L.D. Ready, Sr., of Richton, Mississippi, and extend to Coach L.D. and his family our best wishes.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Coach L.D. Ready and his family, forwarded to the Board of Aldermen of the Town of Richton, and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.