House Resolution 69

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING COACH MIKE BAIN FOR BEING NAMED THE 2003 NATIONAL COACH OF THE YEAR.

WHEREAS, as a highly acclaimed coach in the South, Coach Bain won the designation as the 2003 National Coach of the Year from the National Federation of State High School Association; and

WHEREAS, Coach Bain is the most winning boys cross-country coach in the United States and has won Southern Regional Coach of the Year two times and Mississippi Coach of the Year three times; and

WHEREAS, in his 26 years as coach, Coach Bain has amassed 203 wins v. 29 losses, 16 state championships and eight runners-up, and his teams finished first or second in 24 of 26 seasons; and

WHEREAS, in the early years, starting a cross-country team was difficult, but Coach Bain would often dig into his own pocket to buy uniforms because no school budget existed for a cross-country team; and

WHEREAS, few spectators and parents attended in the early years but Coach Bain was persistent and today scores of spectators gather to observe his cross-country teams; and

WHEREAS, Coach Bain motivates the members of his cross-country team by keeping some goal in front of them such as running a hill affectionately called "heartbreak run"; and

WHEREAS, in response to winning the national title, Coach Bain is quoted as saying, "When I think about this award and what it means, I think about all of these kids and what they do to make this program successful--this is their award"; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize and commend excellence, especially when evidenced by the remarkable sportsmanship of the coaches in our state:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we hereby commend and congratulate Coach Mike Bain for being named the 2003 National Coach of the Year.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Coach Mike Bain and members of the Capitol Press Corps.