House Resolution 72

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING COACH DAVEY L. WHITNEY ON HIS OUTSTANDING AND PROLIFIC CAREER ACHIEVEMENTS IN COACHING BASKETBALL.

WHEREAS, Coach Davey L. Whitney, affectionately nicknamed the "Wiz," has had an outstanding coaching career in basketball for over thirty years; and

WHEREAS, Coach Whitney, a native of Midway, Kentucky, earned a bachelor's degree in 1953 from Kentucky State University, where he was inducted into the Kentucky University Hall of Fame for his athletic feats, and he earned a master's degree in 1990 from Alcorn State University (Alcorn); and

WHEREAS, after beginning his college coaching career at Kentucky State University from 1964-1969, Coach Whitney began coaching at Alcorn in September of 1969, where he has coached from 1969-1989 and 1996 through the present; and

WHEREAS, Coach Whitney, the record holder for the most wins in Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) history, has had a monumental career with a career record of 565 wins and 354 losses in 32 seasons, and with a record at Alcorn that stands at 510 wins and 301 losses in 27 seasons; and

WHEREAS, as coach of the Alcorn Braves, Coach Whitney has caused Alcorn to win its last 12 SWAC regular season titles, which the school has a total of 16, and all of the Braves' seven SWAC tournament titles have occurred during Coach Whitney's tenure; and

WHEREAS, making six appearances in the NCAA tournament under the direction of Coach Whitney, in 1980, the Braves were the first Historically Black College or University (HBCU) to win a game in the NCAA Division I Basketball Tournament, and they were the first HBCU to ever compete in the National Invitational Tournament in 1979; and

WHEREAS, due to his incredible coaching, Coach Whitney has received many honors, such as being named the SWAC Coach of the Year ten times, named The Clarion-Ledger's 2002 Sports Person of the Year and being the first recipient of the NCAA Hall of Champions Journey Award in July of 2002; and

WHEREAS, while at Alcorn, Coach Whitney has reached several milestones, including winning his 500th career victory in 1999, and winning his 500th game as the head coach at Alcorn in January of 2003; and

WHEREAS, the House of Representatives takes great pleasure in recognizing and honoring a legendary coach, Coach Davey Whitney, who has encouraged excellence in collegiate student-athletes:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Coach Davey L. Whitney on his outstanding and prolific career achievements in coaching college basketball.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Coach Davey L. Whitney, Alcorn State University and members of the Capitol Press Corps.