MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2001 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Dearing, Carlton, Simmons, Furniss, Gordon, Huggins, Posey, Gollott, Canon, Burton, Williamson, Carmichael, Hyde-Smith, Robertson, Chamberlin, Dawkins, Kirby, White (29th), Frazier, Harden, Moffatt, Ross, Farris, Tollison, Horhn, Dickerson, Little, Mettetal, Browning, Lee, Nunnelee, Hewes

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING VERSATILE DELTA STATE UNIVERSITY QUARTERBACK JOSH BRIGHT FOR LEADING HIS TEAM TO THE NCAA DIVISION II NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP AND FOR WINNING THE PRESTIGIOUS CONERLY TROPHY.

WHEREAS, versatile quarterback Josh Bright of Batesville, Mississippi, led his Delta State University "Fighting Okra" football team to the NCAA Division II National Championship, overcoming the odds to bury Bloomsburg State 63-34 in the championship game in Florence, Alabama; and

WHEREAS, Bright, a Batesville native, has accounted for 2,456 yards and 29 touchdowns in leading Delta State, 14-1, to a share of the Gulf South Conference championship; and

WHEREAS, "Josh has been a tremendous asset to us," Delta State Coach Steve Campbell said. "He's meant the world to our team this year. I think his athletic ability and his numbers speak for themselves. He has tremendous character, and he's been a leader on and off the field. Josh would be a tremendous football player at any level. He's got good speed and he's so strong. Sometimes you think option quarterback and you think of a small guy, a guy you can grab by the jersey and sling him down. You're not going to do that to Josh. You'd better hit him head on"; and

WHEREAS, Bright, 6 feet 5, 230 pounds, is the first quarterback in Mississippi to pass and run for 1,000 yards in a season since Reggie Collier in 1981; and

WHEREAS, Josh Bright is a whiz at running the option, so he knows a thing or two about when to keep the football and when to pitch it; and

WHEREAS, Bright got his hands on another piece of valuable hardware - the Fifth Annual Conerly Trophy - presented by NFL Hall of Famer Frank Gifford, and recognizes the Delta State junior quarterback as the best college football player in Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, Bright is the first quarterback to win the Conerly Trophy since Ole Miss' Stewart Patridge in 1997. He's also the second Division II player to win the award, joining former Delta State running back Tregnel Thomas, who won the inaugural award in 1996; and

WHEREAS, "It's been an awesome season." Bright said. "I'd like to thank my teammates - without them I wouldn't be here. I had great players all over the field with me"; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize the singular achievement of this student-athlete, who has brought honor to his university, his community 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 versatile Delta State University Junior Quarterback Josh Bright for leading his team to the NCAA Division II National Championship and for winning the prestigious Conerly Trophy, and wish him continued success in his future athletic and scholastic endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be presented to Josh Bright and Delta State Coach Steve Campbell, and be forwarded to the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.