Senate Resolution 61

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY "LADY TIGERS" BASKETBALL TEAM AND HEAD COACH DENISE TAYLOR FOR WINNING THE SWAC CO-CHAMPIONSHIP FOR THE 2002-2003 SEASON.

WHEREAS, the Jackson State University "Lady Tigers" Basketball Team has finished the 2002-2003 season with a 23-6 overall record and 15-3 conference record, and has been named Southwestern Athletic Conference Co-Champions for the 2002-2003 season; and

WHEREAS, JSU Lady Tigers 2002-2003 highlights include the following: ranked first in the conference in scoring offense (68.4 ppg), scoring defense (55.0 ppg), scoring margin (+13.4), field goal defense (.322), rebounding offense (43.4 pg), blocked shots (8.34 pg), assists (16.41 pg) and defensive rebounds (28.72 pg); led the nation in blocked shots; No. 2 in the nation in field goal percentage defense, ranked ninth in the NCAA in scoring defense; Junior Center Amie Williams led the nation and the league in blocked shots, averaging 5.1 blocks a game, she was also ranked ninth in the nation and first in the conference in rebounding (11.0 pg); Junior Point Guard Latesha Lee was ranked third in the nation and first in the conference in assists (7.38 pg), she was also second in the league in steals (3.41 pg); Senior Forward Genina "GG" Johnson was ranked second in the NCAA and first in SWAC in three-point field goals made (3.31 pg); Amie Williams was named SWAC Player of the Week three times this season; Senior Guard Sonia "Elise" Washington became a member of the Lady Tigers 1,000-point club on January 25, 2003; Amie Williams received first team All-SWAC honors and was named Newcomer of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year; Latesha Lee received first team All-SWAC honors and Genina Johnson and Sonia Washington were named second team All-SWAC; Coach Denise Taylor's career record is 113-82 and her JSU record stands at 39-19; and

WHEREAS, Coach Denise Taylor, affectionately called "Coach T" by her players, is former Head Coach of the Utah Starzz of the WNBA, is completing her second season as Lady Tigers Head Coach and is the Lady Tigers third Head Coach since 1975. A native of Cleveland, Mississippi, and a graduate of Texas Southern University, she has made her mark in the conference by turning the program around in one year. Coach Taylor is a motivational, dynamic, hard-working, focused coach whose career spans 16 years. She was one of eight coaches selected to launch the inaugural season of the WNBA in 1997. She serves as a color analyst of the Tiger Network, covering men's basketball games and SWAC tournaments, and is in demand as a speaker at civic events; and

WHEREAS, the 2002-2003 Lady Tigers Roster is as follows: Caypande Eliasin, Junior Forward; April Harris, Junior Forward; Genina Johnson, Senior Forward; Latesha Lee, Junior Guard; Shickola Ricks, Junior Center; Aisha Scott, Freshman Guard; Sonia Washington, Senior Guard; Amie Williams, Junior Center; and Theresa Woodard, Sophomore Guard; Assistant Coaches are Larry McNeil, Gloria Miller and Freddie Murray; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize the accomplishments of this team of fine student-athletes who have brought honor to their university, 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 Jackson State University "Lady Tigers" Basketball Team and Coach Denise Taylor for winning the SWAC Co-Championship for the 2002-2003 season, and wish them continued success in their future athletic and academic endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Coach Taylor and the Lady Tigers, be forwarded to the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning, and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.