MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2004 2nd Extraordinary Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Horhn, Butler, Jordan, Posey, Walls, Simmons, Thomas, Gordon, Huggins, Frazier, Dearing, Jackson (11th), Dawkins, Williamson, Thames, Robertson, Flowers, Lee (35th), White, Chamberlin, Gollott, Hewes, Michel, Morgan, Chaney, Burton, Brown, Hyde-Smith, Turner, Cuevas, Lee (47th), Albritton, Walley, Doxey, Wilemon, Bryan, Nunnelee, Moffatt, Jackson (32nd), Mettetal, Carmichael, Clarke, Jackson (15th), Browning, Kirby
A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE LIFE OF BOB CARPENTER, "VOICE OF THE JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY TIGERS."
WHEREAS, students, alumni and faculty of Jackson State University are mourning the untimely and tragic death of play-by-play man Edgar Maurice (Bob) Carpenter on June 12, 2004. Mr. Carpenter was the voice of the Jackson State University Tigers for 23 years. He was 46 years old; and
WHEREAS, Jackson State University fans had come to know Bob Carpenter when they turned on their radios every Saturday afternoon during Tiger football season and on any given day during Tiger basketball season. For the past 23 years, the man with the great sports voice has brought JSU fans and supporters closer to the action on the gridiron and on the hardwood. Ever since his first JSU football broadcast in 1981, he had become synonymous with the Tiger athletic program; and
WHEREAS, for every title or championship Jackson State won and every milestone reached in the last two decades, he was there. Bob was there when the Tiger football team won 7 conference championships and when they made 9 appearances in the NCAA Division I-AA playoffs. His broadcast year was extended in basketball when the Tigers made 3 trips to the "Big Dance," and he was present when the team won 4 regular season conference championships; and
WHEREAS, Bob was not only JSU's play-by-play man, he was a friend and one of the University's most ardent supporters. When Bob was not on the radio, he worked behind the scenes developing marketing ventures for the athletics department. He was Manager of the Southern Urban Network at TeleSouth Communications. Because of his influence and efforts, the JSU Football Souvenir Program has garnered the reputation of the best produced publication in the Southwestern Athletic Conference; and
WHEREAS, in 2002, Bob helped JSU advance its radio broadcast by assisting the University in launching its Internet broadcast on Yahoo Sports. Bob also helped to foster relationships with several radio stations throughout Mississippi. Today, The Tiger Radio Network consists of several affiliates throughout the Magnolia State that broadcast all of Jackson State's football and basketball games; and
WHEREAS, because of his vast knowledge of Jackson State and its athletics program, most fans assumed that Bob was an alumnus of the University, however, he was a 1979 graduate of the University of Mississippi. Mr. Carpenter was truly devoted to ensuring that Jackson State University was globally marketed, and the 2004-2005 JSU athletic season will be dedicated in honor of the untiring efforts and philanthropy of this citizen who will be missed by all Mississippians:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend the life of Mr. Bob Carpenter, the "Voice of the Jackson State University Tigers" and express to his surviving family the sympathy of the Mississippi Senate on his untimely passing.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Mr. Bob Carpenter and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.