MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1999 Regular Session

To: Rules

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

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE 1998 DELTA STATE UNIVERSITY FOOTBALL TEAM FOR ITS FIRST GULF SOUTH CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP AND ITS FIRST NCAA PLAYOFF APPEARANCE FOLLOWING AN OUTSTANDING SEASON.

WHEREAS, in his sixth season as the Head Coach of the Delta State University football squad, Coach Todd Knight led the Statesmen to its first Gulf South Conference with an 8-1 record in Gulf South Conference play; and

WHEREAS, the Statesmen, who narrowly dropped a 17-10 contest to Division I-AA Southwest Texas State, finished the season with an outstanding 8-3 mark; and

WHEREAS, in addition to the Statesmen's first league championship, Delta State also made its first NCAA playoff appearance with a 21-14 loss to Fort Valley State; and

WHEREAS, this NCAA event brought national attention to Delta State University, the City of Cleveland and the State of Mississippi, and was broadcast locally by WABG in Greenville, Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, for his efforts, Coach Knight was named the Gulf South Conference "Coach of the Year" by his peers in the conference and had 11 of his players placed on either the first or second team All-Gulf South Conference squads; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize the success of this excellent football team which has brought honor to its university, city and to the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MISSISSIPPI STATE SENATE, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the 1998 Delta State University football team and Coach Todd Knight for its first ever Gulf South Conference Championship and its first ever NCAA playoff appearance following its outstanding season.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be presented to the 1998 Delta State University football squad, the President of Delta State University and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.