MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1999 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Dearing, Carlton, Huggins, Simmons, Furniss, Canon, Walls, Jordan (24th), Horhn

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING DELTA STATE UNIVERSITY FOOTBALL COACH TODD KNIGHT FOR HIS EXCEPTIONAL CAREER AND TO EXPRESS THE BEST WISHES OF THE LEGISLATURE ON HIS NEW COACHING POSITION AT OUACHITA BAPTIST UNIVERSITY.

WHEREAS, Delta State University football coach Todd Knight has told his team that he is resigning to accept the same position at Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas; and

WHEREAS, Knight said, "The reason they want me is that Delta State is a winner...We have a great group of kids and coaches and I told our players they can win a championship under any coach"; and

WHEREAS, Knight, 34, served the past six seasons at Delta State, posting an 8-3 record in 1998, and he had a 28-32-2 overall mark; and

WHEREAS, he also spent two seasons as a graduate assistant under former DSU and Ouachita head coach, Jim "Red" Parker, and two seasons as an assistant under former DSU coach Don Skelton; and

WHEREAS, a native of Baytown, Texas, Knight earned his bachelor's degree from OBU in 1986. He is married to the former Julie Hartsfield of Searcy, Arkansas, and they are the parents of three children; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize this coach for his contribution to higher education in Mississippi and for the respect he has brought to his university's football program:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, THAT we do hereby commend Delta State University football coach Todd Knight for his exceptional career and do hereby express the best wishes of the Legislature on his new coaching position at Ouachita Baptist University.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, THAT copies of this resolution be presented to Coach Knight and forwarded to Delta State University and be made available to members of the Capitol Press Corps.