MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2004 1st Extraordinary Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Dearing, Clarke, Little, Browning, Burton, Chamberlin, Frazier, Gordon, Jackson (11th), Kirby, Mettetal, Posey
A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING DELTA STATE UNIVERSITY CENTER FIELDER JUD THIGPEN, NATIONAL DIVISION II "PLAYER OF THE YEAR."
WHEREAS, Delta State University's Jud Thigpen's dream came true on May 29, 2004, as the Statesmen defeated Grand Valley (Michigan) State 12-8 to claim the program's first national championship; and
WHEREAS, for his efforts in the tournament and the entire championship season, Center Fielder Jud Thigpen was named NCAA Division II National Player of the Year; and
WHEREAS, Jud was not supposed to be big enough to play college baseball, but became one of Delta State's greatest sluggers ever, hitting .423, leading the Statesmen with 13 home runs, 16 doubles, 62 RBIs and a slugging percentage of .716. Jud Thigpen set a DSU single-season record with 112 hits, became the first Statesmen to rack up over 100 hits in a season, and set an at-bats record of 261; and
WHEREAS, in the title game, Jud robbed Grand Valley hitters with two fabulous, running catches; and
WHEREAS, to Jud's father, Judson Thigpen of Cleveland, Mississippi, this championship was special because he played with DSU Coach Mike Kinnison on the last Delta State team to reach the national championship game back in 1978. The father watched his son, the National Player of the Year, help this team achieve what his team could not achieve 26 years earlier; and
WHEREAS, Jud Thigpen, the slugger, is the son of Judson Thigpen the pitcher. This is about two generations of Thigpens who have helped Delta State reach the Division II College World Series; and
WHEREAS, before that, Jud's grandfather, Judson's dad, grew up in Shaw, where he knew Boo Ferriss as a youngster. Boo Ferriss, the former coach, is the patriarch of the Delta State baseball family; and
WHEREAS, congratulating Jud Thigpen following this landmark game were former Delta State players such as Barry Lyons and Chris Burgess, who emotionally explained the significance of this championship to the Delta State family; and
WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize the special moment of this championship Mississippi baseball player, who along with his teammates achieved what former Statesmen could not, and bring honor to his university, his community and to the State of Mississippi:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Delta State University Center Fielder Jud Thigpen, honored for being named NCAA Division II National Player of the Year following his team's national championship, and extend to Jud and his family the best wishes of the Senate for future success both on and off the field.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Jud Thigpen and his family, be forwarded to Coach Mike Kinnison and the President of Delta State University, and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.