House Resolution 21

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY DEVILETTES SOFTBALL TEAM UPON ITS OUTSTANDING 2003-2004 SEASON AND WINNING THE 2004 SOUTHWESTERN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE REGULAR SEASON CHAMPIONSHIP.

WHEREAS, the Mississippi Valley State University Devilettes Softball Team had an outstanding year, finishing the 2003-2004 season with a remarkable record of 34 wins and 16 losses; and

WHEREAS, showcasing immense talent, the Devilettes have brought great honor and pride to Mississippi Valley State University by winning the 2004 Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Division I Championship and the 2004 SWAC Tournament Championship; and

WHEREAS, this season's accomplishments for the Devilettes garnered them much recognition after having become the institution's first SWAC sport and the first Historically Black Colleges/University (HBCU) sport to win more than one game in a NCAA Tournament; and

WHEREAS, for their superior play, many individual honors have been bestowed on several members of the Devilettes, including the selection of Queydreka Shumpert, Balencia Young and Valerie Nicholson to the All-SWAC First Team; the naming of Queydreka Shumpert as Defensive Player of the Year; the selection of Nicole Henderson, Deanna Baker, Teanne Rembert, Cristal Holmes, Tamara Phillips, Nakelya Moragne, and Tonya Johns to the All-SWAC Second Team; the naming of Balencia Young as Most Outstanding Hitter, Offensive Player of the Year and Most Valuable Player; the selection of Balencia Young, Cristal Holmes, Queydreka Shumpert and Natasha McFadden to the SWAC All-Tournament Team; and

WHEREAS, the Devilettes have been superbly coached and inspired this season by Head Coach Lee Smith, who has broadened the players' knowledge of the game and refined their skills in execution; and

WHEREAS, Coach Smith has brought additional honor and pride to himself and to Mississippi Valley State University upon being named Coach of the Year; and

WHEREAS, the Devilettes 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 Mississippi Valley State University; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives 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, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the Mississippi Valley State University Devilettes Softball Team and their coach for their outstanding 2003-2004 season, for winning the 2004 SWAC Division I Championship and the 2004 SWAC Tournament Championship and for displaying tireless devotion to their athletic endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Mississippi Valley State University, Head Coach Lee Smith and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.