MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2000 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Smith, Frazier, Harden

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY BASEBALL COACH ROBERT "BOB" BRADDY FOR HIS 800TH CAREER VICTORY, MAKING HIM THE WINNINGEST COACH IN SOUTHWESTERN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE HISTORY.

WHEREAS, Robert "Bob" Braddy entered his 28th season as Jackson State University's head baseball coach just three wins shy of 800 career victories, and the 800th career win came during the 3rd game of the season, February 13, 2000, against the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff, with a score of 9-2; and

WHEREAS, to date, Coach Braddy's total career record for the 2000 season is 805 wins, 539 losses and 8 ties, making him the winningest coach in Southwestern Athletic conference history; and

WHEREAS, a 1964 graduate of JSU, Braddy has won more SWAC championships than any other coach in league history, Braddy's Tigers have won 11 league titles; and

WHEREAS, Braddy was named Interim Athletics Director at JSU in May of 1999, he is one of the most widely respected baseball coaches in the country, serving on several national committees and voting panels; and

WHEREAS, Braddy's first conference title came in 1973, his first season as Tiger head coach; his team won back-to-back titles in 1977 and 1978, and again in 1989 and 1990; he also won three consecutive titles from 1993-1995; the other league championships came in 1980, 1982 and 1986; he has taken the Tigers to the NCAA playoffs three times (1982, 1986 and 1989) and also two NCAA play-in games (1994 and 1995); and

WHEREAS, Braddy reached a milestone in his career in 1988 when he won his 500th career victory on April 17, with a win over Alabama State; he reached another personal milestone on March 9, 1996, when he won his 700th career game over Mississippi Valley State; and

WHEREAS, three of Braddy's teams also reached the NAIA Regionals, twice to Huntsville, Texas (1975 and 1977) and to Phoenix, Arizona, in 1976; since his first season, 52 of his players have reached the professional ranks: some of them include pitcher Dennis "Oil Can" Boyd, formerly of the Boston Red Sox, outfielder Curtis Ford, formerly of the Philadelphia Phillies, pitcher Marvin Freeman, formerly of the Colorado Rockies, Wes Chamberlain, formerly of the Boston Red Sox, outfielder David Clark, currently with the Chicago Cubs, pitcher Mike Farmer of the Colorado Rockies and first baseman Kelvin Moore, formerly of the Oakland Athletics, he has produced two first-round draft picks in outfielder David Clark (1983) and pitcher/outfielder Earl Sanders, formerly of the Toronto Blue Jays (1986); and

WHEREAS, Braddy was named NAIA District 30 Coach of the Year twice and has been named SWAC Coach of the Year eight times; the two-time All-SWAC pitcher as a player at Jackson State is also a member of the JSU Sports Hall of Fame; and

WHEREAS, before joining the Jackson State athletics staff, Braddy coached at McLaurin High in Florence, Mississippi, where his teams compiled a 64-14 record and won the Highland Conference Championship four of the six years he coached; he was named conference Coach of the Year in 1966, 1967 and 1980; he spent one year as Florence High's coach, compiling an 11-9 record; and

WHEREAS, he is married to the former Diane West and they have two children, Robert, Jr. and Artimese Anita; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize the extraordinary achievements of this legendary coach who has brought honor to his university and to the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Jackson State University Baseball Coach Robert "Bob" Braddy for his 800th career victory, making him the winningest coach in Southwestern Athletic Conference history, and wish him continued success in his future coaching career and other endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be presented to Coach Braddy and his family, and to the President of Jackson State University, and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.