MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1999 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Representatives Gadd, Moody

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING COACH VAN CHANCELLOR FOR HIS MANY OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENTS AS A HEAD COACH IN BASKETBALL.

WHEREAS, Coach Van Chancellor, a native of Louisville, Mississippi, has been coaching basketball for over thirty years on the high school, college and professional levels; and

WHEREAS, Coach Chancellor played basketball at Louisville High School, where as a senior he averaged 24 points per game and later played for Coach Denver Brackeen's team at East Central Junior College; and

WHEREAS, in 1965, Coach Chancellor earned a bachelor's degree in math and physical education from Mississippi State University, and in 1974, he received a master's degree in education from the University of Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, Coach Chancellor began his coaching career with stops at Noxapater, Horn Lake and Harrison Central High Schools, winning two state championships and two grand slams, compiling a remarkable 638-191 record at the high school level; and

WHEREAS, moving up to the college arena in 1978, Coach Chancellor was named Head Coach of the Ole Miss Lady Rebels Basketball Team and led the program to national prominence over a 19-year career, including 14 NCAA tournament appearances, finishing the 1991-1992 season with a perfect SEC record of 11-0 and winning the SEC regular season championship; and

WHEREAS, Coach Chancellor, who won the SEC Coach of the Year honor three times, posted a phenomenal career record of 439 wins and only 154 losses, making his Lady Rebels the winningest program in Ole Miss history; and

WHEREAS, in 1997, Coach Chancellor was named Head Coach and General Manager of the Houston Comets and led the Comets to the WNBA World Championship in the inaugural season; and

WHEREAS, Coach Chancellor repeated the 1998 season with a victory in the WNBA World Championship and was named WNBA Coach of the Year in 1997 and 1998; and

WHEREAS, Van Chancellor has been a loyal friend to everyone and also a caring and supportive coach and friend to his players; and

WHEREAS, Coach Chancellor has had the steadfast love and understanding of his faithful wife, Betty, who continues to support him as his number one fan and contribute to his success; and

WHEREAS, Coach Chancellor has been lovingly supported in all his endeavors by his children, John, a 1989 Ole Miss graduate, and Renee, a 1992 Ole Miss graduate and former Lady Rebel; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to recognize and commend such outstanding Mississippians as Van "The Man" Chancellor, whose long and distinguished career continues to follow the path of success:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Head Coach Van Chancellor for his many achievements as a head basketball coach and extend to him our heartiest wishes of success in all his future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Coach Van Chancellor and members of the Capitol Press Corps.