Senate Resolution 90

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING BOB STEVENS, HALL OF FAME HIGH SCHOOL COACH AND HANDBALL PLAYER, UPON HIS INDUCTION INTO THE MISSISSIPPI SPORTS HALL OF FAME CLASS OF 2003.

WHEREAS, the Jackson Touchdown Club and Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame has unveiled the Class of 2003 of the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame, which features Bob Stevens, Hall of Fame High School Coach who played football at Southern Mississippi and was considered one of the top handball players in the area; and

WHEREAS, Bob Stevens was born in McComb, Mississippi and raised in Hazlehurst, Mississippi where he was four-sport letterman; and

WHEREAS, Stevens was a Two-way, All-State football lineman at Copiah-Lincoln Junior College. Mr. Stevens played offensive and defensive tackle for Southern Mississippi after serving in the Navy during World War II. He was coached by Mississippi Hall of Fame member Reed Green and played on college teams that compiled a 14-6 record, head football coach at Pass Christian and Meadville before arriving at Jackson Central where he also served as head basketball coach, he led Central hoops and gridiron teams to city titles and Big Eight Championships, and was head football coach at Murrah High where he lead his teams to city crowns and bowl appearances; and

WHEREAS, his football teams compiled a record of 141-73-9 during his coaching career; and

WHEREAS, Stevens was an acclaimed handball player captured singles and doubles championships 14 times in a decade that spanned 1961-1979, he won Masters Doubles titles in a host of southern cities and competed in the national tournament in Miami, Florida, in 1979; and

WHEREAS, Bob's induction will mark his fourth athletic hall of fame membership including the Southern Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame (1987), the Mississippi Association of Coaches (1995), and the Copiah-Lincoln Community College Hall of Fame; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize this outstanding athlete and 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, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Bob Stevens, Hall of Fame High School Football and Basketball Coach who played football at Copiah-Lincoln and Southern Mississippi, and was considered one of the top handball players in the area, upon his induction into the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2003, and wish him and his family continued success in all their future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Bob Stevens at induction ceremonies to be held on April 4, 2003, in Vicksburg, Mississippi, and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.