MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2004 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Michel, Butler, Chaney, Clarke, Dearing, Frazier, Gordon, Harden, Harvey, Jackson (11th), Jackson (32nd), Jordan, Little, Thames
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING WILLIE TOTTEN, ACCLAIMED ALL-AMERICAN QUARTERBACK AT MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY, UPON HIS INDUCTION INTO THE MISSISSIPPI SPORTS HALL OF FAME, CLASS OF 2004.
WHEREAS, the Jackson Touchdown Club and Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame has unveiled the Class of 2004 Hall of Fame, which features Willie Totten, acclaimed All-American quarterback from Coila, Mississippi, who shattered Southwestern Athletic Conference and National Collegiate Athletic Association records at Mississippi Valley State University; and
WHEREAS, with his induction, Willie Totten will become the first Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame member representing Mississippi Valley State University; and
WHEREAS, he played football, basketball and baseball at J.Z. George High School in North Carrollton; and
WHEREAS, he was four-time All-Southwestern Athletic Conference Quarterback for the Mississippi Valley State University Delta Devils from 1982-1985 and was named Southwestern Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year following a magical 1984 Delta Devil season; and
WHEREAS, Willie Totten was selected First Team All-American in 1984 by Kodak, SBN, The Sporting News, BCSR and the Gannett News Services; threw for over 13,000 yards and 141 touchdowns in his college career and broke 36 Southwestern Athletic Conference and 56 National Collegiate Athletic Association passing and scoring records while teaming up with wide receiver Jerry Rice; helped Mississippi Valley State University compile a record of 29-10-1; and
WHEREAS, he played in front of the largest crowd to attend a college football game in Mississippi history in 1984 in a 42-28 televised loss to Alcorn; and
WHEREAS, Willie Totten was drafted by the British Columbia Lions of the Canadian Football League and also played for the Toronto Argonauts and the National Football League's Buffalo Bills; he performed in the Arena Football League for the Chicago Bruisers, Pittsburg Gladiators and New Orleans Night; he coached at Westwood High School in Memphis, Tennessee, Grambling State University in Grambling, Louisiana, and Eastside High School in Cleveland, Mississippi; and served as Assistant Coach and Offensive Coordinator at Mississippi Valley State University before being named Head Coach of the Delta Devils in 2001; and
WHEREAS, in the Spring of 1999, Magnolia Stadium at Mississippi Valley State University was renamed "Rice-Totten Stadium" in honor of the passing combination of Totten to Jerry Rice; and
WHEREAS, Willie Totten was inducted into the Mississippi Valley State University National Alumni Hall of Fame in 1999 and became a member of the Southwestern Athletic Conference Hall of Fame in 2000; 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, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Willie Totten, acclaimed All-American quarterback at Mississippi Valley State University, upon his induction into the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame, Class of 2004, and wish him and his family continued success in all their future endeavors.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Willie Totten at induction ceremonies and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.