MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2004 1st Extraordinary Session
To: Rules
By: Representative Capps, Coleman (29th), Akins, Aldridge, Arinder, Bailey, Baker (74th), Baker (8th), Banks, Barnett, Beckett, Bentz, Blackmon, Bondurant, Bounds, Broomfield, Brown, Buck, Burnett, Calhoun, Carlton, Chism, Clark, Clarke, Coleman (65th), Compretta, Cummings, Davis, Dedeaux, Denny, Dickson, Eaton, Ellington, Ellis, Espy, Evans, Fillingane, Flaggs, Fleming, Formby, Franks, Fredericks, Frierson, Gadd, Gibbs, Green, Guice, Gunn, Hamilton (109th), Hamilton (6th), Harrison, Hines, Holland, Holloway, Horne, Howell, Huddleston, Hudson, Ishee, Janus, Jennings, Lott, Malone, Markham, Martinson, Masterson, Mayhall, Mayo, McBride, McCoy, Middleton, Miles, Mims, Moak, Montgomery, Moore, Morris, Moss, Myers, Nicholson, Parker, Patterson, Peranich, Perkins, Pierce, Read, Reed, Reeves, Reynolds, Robinson (63rd), Robinson (84th), Rogers (14th), Rogers (61st), Rotenberry, Scott, Shows, Simpson, Smith (27th), Smith (39th), Smith (59th), Snowden, Staples, Stevens, Straughter, Stringer, Sullivan, Taylor, Thomas, Turner, Upshaw, Vince, Ward, Warren, Watson, Weathersby, Wells-Smith, West, Whittington, Woods, Young, Zuber
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE DELTA STATE UNIVERSITY STATESMEN BASEBALL TEAM UPON ITS OUTSTANDING 2003-2004 SEASON AND WINNING THE 2004 NATIONAL COLLEGE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION DIVISION II NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP.
WHEREAS, the Delta State University Statesmen Baseball Team had an outstanding year, finishing the 2003-2004 season with a remarkable record of 54 wins and only 11 losses; and
WHEREAS, showcasing immense talent, the Statesmen have brought great honor and pride to Delta State University by winning the 2004 National College Athletic Association Division (NCAA) II National Championship, the team's first national championship after nine College World Series appearances, five third place and two runners-up finishes; and
WHEREAS, the Statesmen's dream became reality Saturday, May 29, 2004, as Delta State defeated Grand Valley State 12-8 before a crowd of 2,428 spectators at Paterson Field, and thus standing as a testament to tenacity and persistence; and
WHEREAS, not only has this been a long awaited treasure for the Statesmen Team, but legend and founder of Delta State baseball, Boo Ferris, has cherished the day the Statesmen would earn a national championship title; and
WHEREAS, directly synonymous with Delta State baseball, Boo Ferris, who carved out the foundation for Delta State's baseball program and coached the first Statesmen Team 40 years ago, watched in awe and excitement as the Statesmen journeyed their way to victory, and shared in the grandeur of the historical moment when presented the championship trophy by Mike Kinnison, Delta State's Head Coach; and
WHEREAS, for their superior play, many individual honors have been bestowed on several members of the Statesmen Team, including the naming of Jud Thigpen and Chris Reed to the Rawlings/ABCA All-America First Team; the naming of Mark Broome to the Rawlings/ABCA All-America Second Team; the selection of Jud Thigpen, Chris Reed, Craig Newton and Mark Broome to the Rawlings/ABCA All-South Central Region First Team; the selection of Josh Barton to the Rawlings/ABCA All-South Central Region Second Team; the naming of Mark Broome, Eric Patten, Jud Thigpen and Matt McAlpin to the All-Gulf South Conference First Team; the naming of Craig Newton, Clay Smith, Chris Reed and Josh Barton to the All-Gulf South Conference Second Team; the naming of Bert Pickard as Gulf South Conference Player of the Week; and
WHEREAS, additional honors and recognitions include the selection of Matt McAlpin as Gulf South Conference Pitcher of the Week; the naming of Bert Pickard as NCAA Division II Championship Tournament MVP; the selection of Bert Pickard, Craig Newton and Scott Ellison to the NCAA Division II Championship All-Tournament Team; the naming of Will Waldkirch as NCAA South Central Region Tournament MVP; the selection of Will Waldkirch, Craig Newton, Eric Patten, Jud Thigpen and Josh Barton to the South Central Region All-Tournament Team; the naming of Mark Broome as Gulf South Conference Tournament MVP; and the selection of Mark Broome, Clay Smith, Chris Reed, Brad Lightsey and Jud Thigpen to the Gulf South Conference All-Tournament Team; and
WHEREAS, Jud Thigpen, who set a Delta State single-season record with 112 hits, became the first Statesman to accumulate more than 100 hits with 261 at-bats, was named Rawlings/ABCA Division II Player of the Year, Rawlings/ABCA South Central Region Player of the Year and Gulf South Conference Player of the Week; and
WHEREAS, the Statesmen have been superbly coached and inspired this season by Coach Mike Kinnison, who has broadened the players' knowledge of the game and refined their skills in execution; and
WHEREAS, Coach Kinnison, whose career record now stands at 370-96, giving him the best winning percentage among NCAA baseball coaches with at least five years of head coaching experience, has brought additional honor and pride to himself and to Delta State University upon being named Coach of the Year for Rawlings/ABCA Division II, Rawlings/ABCA South Central Region and Gulf South Conference; and
WHEREAS, the Statesmen have developed a winning and cooperative spirit and a high degree of sportsmanship, and their activities and attitude reflect great credit upon the individual players and their coach, and bring honor to Delta State University; and
WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to recognize and commend excellence, especially when evidenced by the youth of our state who are its future:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the Delta State University Statesmen Baseball Team and its coach for an outstanding 2003-2004 season, for winning the NCAA Division II National Championship and for displaying tireless devotion to its athletic endeavors.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Delta State University, Head Coach Mike Kinnison, Boo Ferris and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.