MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1997 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Simmons, Carlton, Dearing, Furniss, Walls, Moffatt

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING TREGNEL THOMAS FOR RECEIVING THE CHARLES CONERLY AWARD PRESENTED BY THE MISSISSIPPI SPORTS HALL OF FAME AND MUSEUM. 

WHEREAS, Tregnel Thomas, a Delta State University tailback from Pascagoula, Mississippi, was honored as the first recipient of the Charles Conerly Award presented by the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum as the state's top collegiate player during the 1996 football season; and

WHEREAS, Tregnel Thomas was one of eight finalists for the prestigious Harlon Hill Award presented each year to NCAA Division II's top player and was the second freshman in the history of the award honored as a finalist; and

WHEREAS, Tregnel Thomas earned the Gulf South Conference Freshman of the Year Award and All-GSC honors after breaking the conference's single season rushing record held previously by Mississippi College's Fred McAfee who currently plays for the National Football League's Pittsburgh Steelers; and

WHEREAS, Tregnel Thomas was named second-team All-American by the College Sports Information Directors Association and third-team All-American by Don Hansen's Football Gazette; and

WHEREAS, Tregnel Thomas set the school record for the most rushing yards in a season (1,604), average yards per game (160.4), and most carries (275); and

WHEREAS, Tregnel Thomas became just the fifth running back in Delta State University history to rush for more than 1,000 yards in a single season and the first freshmen to surpass that milestone; and

WHEREAS, Tregnel Thomas finished the 1996 season as the sixth leading rusher in the nation at Division II and was among the Top 20 in all-purpose yardage among Division II players; and

WHEREAS, Tregnel Thomas's 1996 rushing total is rated among the five best single-season performances by a four-year college running back in the State of Mississippi and currently ranks fifth on Delta State's career rushing list after just one season; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the Legislature to recognize excellence, especially when evidenced by exemplary achievements of Mississippi citizens:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend Tregnel Thomas on receiving the Charles Conerly Award presented by the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Tregnel Thomas and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.