Senate Resolution 93

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING WARNER ALFORD, OUTSTANDING ATHLETIC ADMINISTRATOR AND CO-CAPTAIN OF THE SEC AND NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP FOOTBALL TEAMS AT OLE MISS, 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 Warner Alford, outstanding Athletic Administrator and Co-Captain of the SEC and National Championship Football Teams at Ole Miss; and

WHEREAS, All-America and All-Big Eight Lineman from McComb High School, Warner was also All-Big Eight in basketball and track; he played Left Guard for Ole Miss between 1958 and 1960, which featured the greatest teams in school history; and

WHEREAS, he was Co-Captain along with Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame member and Quarterback Jake Gibbs of the 1960 Rebel squad that finished 10-0-1, won the SEC Championship and claimed the Football Writers Association of America Grantland Rice Trophy, emblematic of the National title; and

WHEREAS, Warner was coached by Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame member Johnny Vaught and was teamed up with a host of Rebel players who are also enshrined in the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame. He helped Ole Miss compile a record of 29-3-1 during his playing career; and

WHEREAS, he served as Assistant Coach at R.H. Watkins High School in Laurel, Mississippi; Davidson College in North Carolina; and Georgia Tech before returning to Ole Miss under Head Coach Billy Kinard as Defensive Line Coach; and

WHEREAS, he was named Ole Miss Athletic Director in 1978 and served the school in that capacity for 16 years until 1994. During his tenure, he increased the number of men's and women's sports at Ole Miss and placed emphasis on the graduation rate of student-athletes, was instrumental in renovations to Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, the Doc Knight Fieldhouse, golf and track facilities, oversaw the construction of the Oxford University Stadium Swayze Field Baseball Stadium and the Palmer Tennis Center and served on numerous SEC and NCAA Committees. Warner was inducted into the Ole Miss Athletic Hall of Fame in 1999; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize this outstanding athlete 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 Warner Alford, outstanding Athletic Administrator and Co-Captain of the SEC and National Championship Football Teams at Ole Miss, 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 Warner Alford at induction ceremonies to be held on April 4, 2003, in Vicksburg, Mississippi, and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.