House Concurrent Resolution 29

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING COACH JAMES DREWRY ON HIS OUTSTANDING CAREER AND BECOMING THE FIRST PUBLIC SCHOOL COACH IN MISSISSIPPI TO WIN MORE THAN 300 FOOTBALL GAMES.

WHEREAS, Coach James Drewry, a native of Booneville, Mississippi, and forty-five year coaching veteran on the gridiron, has experienced a career in coaching that has evolved into one of accolades, honors and prestige; and

WHEREAS, on October 15, 2004, Coach Drewry etched his name in Mississippi's sports' history forever, when he coached his 300th career win, to become the only public school coach in Mississippi to attain the milestone; and

WHEREAS, having attended Northeast Mississippi Junior College and Delta State College where he held the position of quarterback, Coach Drewry first savored the taste of coaching as a student assistant coach for the 1954 undefeated team at Delta State; and

WHEREAS, beginning his professional career as a coach in 1958 at Kossuth High School, Coach Drewry coached for 28 years at Kossuth High School (1958-1960 and 1978-1986), Brandon High School (1960-1965) and Booneville High School (1965-1978) before retiring in 1986 to pursue a private business venture; and

WHEREAS, with an unwavering passion and love for the game, Coach Drewry returned to the sidelines in 1989 as head coach for Tishomingo High School and ultimately returned to Booneville High School in 1990 where he continues to grace the sidelines during football season; and

WHEREAS, throughout his career of forty seasons on the gridiron, Coach Drewry has led his teams to an overall 306-138-5 record, with 230 of the wins achieved while at Booneville; and

WHEREAS, Coach Drewry has to his fame, three 2-A State Championship titles, six championship visits and twelve playoff berths, all of which have made it possible for him to take his rightful place in Mississippi's sports' history and the history of Booneville High School; and

WHEREAS, Coach Drewry's winning drive and exhilaration transcends regular season football, allowing him the privilege of having served as head football coach of the Mississippi All-Star Game in 1987, as assistant coach, head coach and administrative coach of the Mississippi-Alabama Shriners All-Star Classic in Mobile in 1996, 1998 and 2000 respectively; and

WHEREAS, his honors include having been: Tombigbee Coach of the Year for 1967, 1969 and 1978; District 1 Coach of the Year for 1985; inducted into the 1992 class of the Mississippi Coaches Hall of Fame; selected Daily Journal All-Area Coach of the Year and Daily Corinthian All-Area Coach of the Year for 1999; State 2-A Coach of the Year for 1999 and 2000; inducted into the 2000 Delta State University Alumni Coaches Hall of Fame; tapped as one of eight coaches in the nation as a 2001 NFHS South Section Coach of the Year; selected for the 2003 All-American Football Foundation Gerald R. Ford All-American High School Coach Award; honored by the City of Booneville in 2004 with the renaming of a street as Jim Drewry Drive in his honor; and

WHEREAS, Coach Drewry along with assistant coaches, Mike Maddox and Rick Coggins, have superbly coached and inspired the Booneville team and broadened the players' knowledge and sharpened their skills in the game; and

WHEREAS, throughout his career, Coach Drewry, who is a member of First Baptist Church of Booneville, has had the constant support of his family: Edna, his wife of 42 years; sons, Barry and Steve; and four grandchildren, Lauren Kate, Morgan, Meagan and Nate; and

WHEREAS, Coach Drewry's exhibition of superior coaching has proven successful as evidenced by the great accomplishment of meeting and surpassing the state record for career wins by a football coach in Mississippi's public schools; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the Legislature to recognize and commend excellence in the accomplishments of such an outstanding Mississippian and coach as Coach James Drewry, whose rise to the top will always be remembered:

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 accomplishment of Coach James Drewry on becoming Mississippi's first and only public high school football coach to win more than 300 games and extend our wishes for continued success in all his future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Coach James Drewry, Booneville High School and members of the Capitol Press Corps.