House Resolution 113

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING COACH LINDA BARLOW DEAR FOR HER MANY ACCOMPLISHMENTS AS THE HEAD COACH OF THE SIMPSON ACADEMY GIRL'S BASKETBALL TEAM AND IN THE SPORT OF BASKETBALL OVERALL.

WHEREAS, Simpson Academy Girl's Basketball Coach, Linda Barlow Dear, has realized unprecedented success as the girl's basketball coach for the Lady Cougars, and on January 28, 2023, she celebrated her 600th career win surrounded by her team, friends and family; and

WHEREAS, through her immense leadership ability and natural flair for greatness, Coach Dear has procured numerous winning records, as her professionalism and passion for the game are a testament of the true value that she not only provides to her Lady Cougars but to the game of basketball overall; and

WHEREAS, Coach Dear coached at Simpson Academy from 1986 through 1998, where she led three varsity girls teams to state championships, and in 2015, she rejoined the Simpson Academy staff as the junior varsity girls basketball coach; and

WHEREAS, in 2016, Coach Dear stepped up and coached both the junior varsity and varsity girls teams, and she accomplished her 300th win on November 3, 2016, against the Laurel Homeschool Knighthawks; and

WHEREAS, the Simpson Academy Lady Cougars have benefitted tremendously from the talent of Coach Dear, as they claimed the 2019 Midsouth Association of Independent Schools (MAIS) AAAA Division II State Basketball Championship; and

WHEREAS, the focused, resolute and detail-oriented Coach Dear inspires each of her players with her determination, ambition and intellect, and her elite status as a basketball coach was truly exhibited when she celebrated her 600th win; and

WHEREAS, Coach Dear's encouragement and positive influence on each player has exponentially advanced the Simpson Academy Girl's Basketball Team, and the players genuinely revel in the time and effort she dedicates to making each of them better than they were the day before, as they can absolutely feel the care for their overall well-being and the faith in their unique abilities that she possesses for each one of them; and

WHEREAS, Coach Dear has transformed each of her players into the championship caliber athletes they are today, broadened their knowledge of the game, refined their skills in execution and equipped each of them to realize their full potential and reach their goals; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize and honor fine Mississippi educators, especially those such as Coach Linda Barlow Dear, an exhilarating combination of proficient basketball expertise and sincerity who radiates excellence and inspires all those who have the opportunity to learn and flourish under her tutelage:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Coach Linda Barlow Dear for her many accomplishments as the Head Coach of the Simpson Academy Girl's Basketball Team and in the sport of basketball overall, and extend best wishes for continued success in all her future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Head Coach Linda Barlow Dear and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.