MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1999 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Tollison

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI MEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING 1998-1999 SEASON.

WHEREAS, the University of Mississippi Men's Basketball Team recently completed an incredibly successful 1998-1999 season with an impressive 20 wins and 13 losses, and 8 wins in the Southeastern Conference; and

WHEREAS, the 1998-1999 season was the third consecutive 20-win season for the Ole Miss Rebels, marking the first time ever in Rebel basketball history that the program had posted 20 or more wins in three straight years; and

WHEREAS, 1999 marked the third straight year that Ole Miss participated in the NCAA Tournament, the first time ever that the Rebels have played in three consecutive NCAA Tournaments; and

WHEREAS, the 1999 senior class set the record for most victories during a four-year-period in Rebel basketball history with 74 wins from 1995-1996 to 1998-1999; and

WHEREAS, the Ole Miss Rebels won its first-ever NCAA Tournament game, defeating Villanova, 72-70, in the first round; and

WHEREAS, Ole Miss Head Coach Rod Barnes became the first-ever head coach in Rebel basketball history to record 20 victories in his first season at the helm of the Ole Miss program; and

WHEREAS, Head Coach Rod Barnes was the only first-year head coach in this year's NCAA Tournament to win a game in the tournament, and the only first-year head coach in the Southeastern Conference this year to win a post-season tournament game; and

WHEREAS, senior team member Keith Carter was named to the Coaches and Associated Press All-SEC First Team, the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) All-District VI First Team, and received an Associated Press All-America Honorable Mention; and

WHEREAS, while each of the University of Mississippi's players made invaluable contributions to the success of the 1998-1999 season, the senior members on the team -- Keith Carter, Jason Smith, Michael White and Hunter Carpenter -- deserve special recognition; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize this fine group of student athletes whose school has a longstanding tradition of championship tournament performance, and who continue to bring honor to their school, their community and to the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the University of Mississippi Men's Basketball Team for their outstanding 1998-1999 season, and wish them continued success in their athletic, academic and career endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be presented to Coach Barnes and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.