MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2022 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Horhn, Butler (38th), Frazier, Jackson (11th), Norwood, Simmons (12th)
A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE ATHLETIC AND PROFESSIONAL EDUCATOR LEGACY OF COACH LEON CAMPBELL AND HIS CIVIC AND CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS.
WHEREAS, Leon Campbell was born on August 7, 1942, in Jackson, Mississippi, to the late Jesse and Mary Miller Campbell. He was a graduate of Brinkley High School in 1960, where he was an All-State baseball player. Campbell then attended Jackson State College in the Fall of 1960, where he earned a four-year baseball scholarship. He was a four-year letterman at Jackson State having started all four years for the Tigers Baseball Team and serving as Captain during his Junior and Senior campaigns. In 2006, Campbell was inducted into the Jackson State University Hall of Fame, commemorating his achievements on the diamond. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Mathematics in 1964, with a minor in Physical Education. Following his collegiate studies, Campbell taught mathematics and coached the baseball and football teams of Brinkley Junior and Senior High, his alma mater, and Powell Junior High Schools; and
WHEREAS, in the summer of 1967, Campbell accepted a National Science Foundation (NSF) Fellowship in Mathematics, where he studied at Utah State University, then at the University of Vermont from 1968-1969, and Lafayette College in 1970. In the fall of 1970, Campbell attended Eastern Illinois University, and he completed a Master of Science in Mathematics. He then completed a Specialist Degree in Mathematics and Physical Education from Jackson State University, achieving a Triple A in Mathematics and Physical Education. At the conclusion of his studies, Campbell was one of the first African Americans to integrate the Jackson Public School District as a professional educator and coach; and
WHEREAS, in the fall of 1971, Campbell accepted a teaching and coaching position at Whitten High School, where he remained for the next ten years. He then was reassigned to John H. Powell Junior High School in 1981, where he began one of the most successful coaching careers in Mississippi Junior High School competitive football. Campbell, his staff and players posted a 61-6 record, winning six of seven City Championships during that time; and
WHEREAS, following his record-breaking tenure at Powell Junior High School, Campbell went on to shatter barriers, becoming the first African-American Head Football Coach at William B. Murrah High School in 1989, then again in 1996, becoming the first Principal of Capitol City Alternative School. At the time of his arrival, the Murrah High School Football Team had not had a winning season in eight seasons. By the end of his time at the school, not only had the team posted winning seasons, but a playoff berth as well; and
WHEREAS, after two years of teaching and coaching within the Jackson Public School system, Campbell transitioned to a seven-year stint at Piney Woods Country Life School. During his time at Piney Woods, he led a highly competitive Track and Field Team, achieving a Second-Place finish in the State of Mississippi in 2004, and for the first time in school history, the Piney Woods Boys Soccer Team advanced to the playoffs several years in a row under Campbell's leadership. Prior to his official retirement from teaching and coaching, Campbell spent five years at Callaway High School and three years Canton High School specializing in Algebra instruction and ACT preparation. Notably, in 2006, Campbell was inducted into the Jackson State University Hall of Fame, as a Baseball Honoree; and
WHEREAS, Campbell officially retired in May of 2017, concluding over 52 years of education, coaching and mentoring of young men and women in the Central Mississippi area. While Campbell has enjoyed a very long, successful and gratifying career as "Coach Campbell," his most satisfying and rewarding accomplishment of his lifetime was in 1992 when he accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, under the pastoral leadership of Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour, Jr., former Pastor of Pearl Street A.M.E. Church in Jackson, Mississippi. Campbell is presently a Trustee and Leader of the Master's Men Ministry under the leadership of his current Pastor, Reverend Dr. Samuel H. Boyd, Sr.; and
WHEREAS, in December of 1966, Campbell married Ruth Antoinette Batton of Benton, Mississippi, and their marriage lasted for more than 53 years, until her passing. From their marriage, four children were born. Campbell has five grandchildren and countless pets. Some of his most enjoyable times, during his career, involved his family, having taught both his daughter and son Honors Algebra in Junior High and High School, respectively, as well as having coached his son for four years at Murrah High School. His oldest daughter, Sheva, attended Mississippi College and is the District Manager of a national retail store. His middle daughter, Kimberly, is a graduate of Mississippi State University, earned her Master's from Auburn University, and graduated from the University of Mississippi School of Law. She is a former member of the Mississippi House of Representatives, Attorney and is currently the AARP Mississippi State Director. His son, Cord, earned his MBA from Notre Dame and is a CPA in Pennsylvania. Campbell is thrilled to see his children not only having done well in life, but for becoming good and decent people; and
WHEREAS, we commend an outstanding record of athletic achievement and legacy of leadership in public education:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby recognize the athletic and professional educator legacy of Coach Leon Campbell and his civic and charitable contributions and extend our best wishes to Coach Campbell and his family for future successes.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Leon Campbell, forwarded to the Jackson Public School Board and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.