Senate Resolution 3

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY MEN'S GOLF TEAM AND COACH EDDIE PAYTON FOR WINNING THE 2004 SWAC GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP FOR THE 16TH CONSECUTIVE TIME.

WHEREAS, for most people, the sport of golf is nothing more than a leisure item for the weekend or the annual vacation. However at Jackson State, the sport of golf has become tradition and even more, a mainstay within the athletic department; and

WHEREAS, this season, the Jackson State University men's golf team did what everyone thought they would do, win the 2004 Southwestern Athletic Conference Golf Championship for the 16th consecutive time and advanced to their sixth NCAA Regional; and

WHEREAS, the Tigers, who have a total of 17 SWAC titles under their belts, won the 2004 title with all five golfers finishing in the top 15; and

WHEREAS, in all, the Jackson State golf program has yielded 24 championships and a host of student-athletes who have become successful on the links and in the classroom. Several of the program's participants find enjoyment in receiving good marks academically as well as on the court. On the men's team, Harold Villere and Fidelis Malembaka lead the charge. Villere, a junior accounting major from Louisiana, holds a 3.63 GPA while teammate Malembeka, a business administration major, entered the semester with a grade point average of 3.53; and

WHEREAS, Head Golf Coach Eddie Payton said their goal is to win the national championship or be a contender. He feels that if they work towards that goal, that being successful in the SWAC will be a stepping stone toward that end. In that they hope to serve as good representatives for the university and good role models for student-athletes today; and

WHEREAS, it is with pride that we recognize the accomplishments of this group of student-athletes who have brought honor to their university, their 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 the Jackson State University Men's Golf Team and Head Coach Eddie Payton and Assistant Head Coach Aaron Jagers for winning the 2004 Southwestern Athletic Conference Golf Championship for the 16th Consecutive Year and extend to them the best wishes of the Senate for success in their future athletic and academic endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Head Coach Eddie Payton and be made available to JSU President Ronald Mason, Jr., and the Capitol Press Corps.