MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2004 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Little, Gordon, Browning, Burton, Butler, Carmichael, Chamberlin, Chaney, Clarke, Dawkins, Dearing, Frazier, Harden, Hewes, Hyde-Smith, Jackson (11th), Jackson (15th), Jackson (32nd), Kirby, Lee (35th), Mettetal, Moffatt, Nunnelee, Pickering, Posey, Robertson, Simmons, Thomas, Walls
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY BULLDOG BASKETBALL TEAM UPON WINNING THE SEC BASKETBALL TITLE AND FOR ADVANCING TO THE NCAA TOURNAMENT FOR THE THIRD CONSECUTIVE YEAR.
WHEREAS, the Mississippi State University (MSU) Bulldog Basketball Team won the Southeastern Conference regular season title with an impressive 14-2 conference record; and
WHEREAS, the Bulldogs clinched the title with a heart stopping 82-81 overtime victory over Alabama; and
WHEREAS, the Bulldogs overcame a 16 point deficit with less than 9 minutes remaining in the game with a tenacious defense and aggressive offense to remain undefeated on the road; and
WHEREAS, the Bulldogs became the first MSU team in school history to reach 25 wins during the regular season; and
WHEREAS, the "never-say-die" attitude of the bulldogs ignited the enthusiasm of bulldog fans who responded by establishing all-time, single-season attendance records in every category; and
WHEREAS, resiliency and dogged determination to win were the hallmarks of this remarkable Bulldog team; and
WHEREAS, special honors were garnered by Lawrence Roberts and Timmy Bowers who were selected as first team All-SEC; and
WHEREAS, Senior Co-Captain Timmy Bowers completed his career as the all-time winningest player in MSU basketball history with 92 career wins; and
WHEREAS, Lawrence Roberts was also named SEC Player of the Year and was the school's first AP First Team All-American since Hall of Famer, Bailey Howell; and
WHEREAS, Coach Rick Stansbury was named SEC Coach of the Year by the Associated Press; and
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 the Mississippi State University Bulldog Basketball team players: Billy Begley, Errol Bennett, Michael Boler, Timmy Bowers, Dennis Buse, Marcus Campbell, Gary Ervin, Winsome Frazier, Ontario Harper, Terry Licorish, Wesley Morgan, Shane Power, Lawrence Roberts, Dietric Slater, Lincoln Smith, Piotr Stelmach and Branden Vincent,
and Coaches: Rick Stansbury, Head Coach, Robert Kirby, Phil Cunningham, and Sam Weaver, Assistant Coaches and Mark White, Coordinator of Men's Basketball Operations, upon winning the SEC regular season title and advancing to the NCAA Tournament for the third consecutive year.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be presented to the players and coaches of the Mississippi State University Basketball Team, be forwarded to the President of Mississippi State University and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.