Senate Concurrent Resolution 538

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING VAN CHANCELLOR, HALL OF FAME WOMEN'S BASKETBALL COACH FROM LOUISVILLE, MISSISSIPPI, UPON HIS INDUCTION INTO THE MISSISSIPPI SPORTS HALL OF FAME CLASS OF 2005.

WHEREAS, the Jackson Touchdown Club and Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame has unveiled the Class of 2005 of the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame, which features Van Chancellor, Hall of Fame Women's Basketball Coach from Louisville, Mississippi, who has guided Harrison Central High School, the Ole Miss Lady Rebels, the WNBA Houston Comets, and the U.S. Olympic Women's Basketball Team to championships; and

WHEREAS, Coach Chancellor is a native of Louisville, Mississippi, who played hoops at Louisville High School and East Central Junior College (now East Central Community College) at Decatur, Mississippi, before earning his college degree from Mississippi State University; and

WHEREAS, he coached in the high school ranks at Noxapater, Horn Lake, and Harrison Central and compiled a record of 638-191, plus boys and girls state championships at Harrison Central; and

WHEREAS, he led the Ole Miss Lady Rebels hoops program for 19 seasons to a record of 439-154, including: 14 NCAA tournament appearances; NCAA Elite Eights; 5 NCAA Sweet Sixteens; and the 1992 SEC Championship; and

WHEREAS, Coach Chancellor is the winningest coach in the history of the WNBA, as he has paced the Houston Comets to a mark of 161-79 (18-9 in the playoffs) and the first 4 WNBA league championships. Under Chancellor, Houston became the only professional sports franchise in the United States in the past decade to win four straight titles; and

WHEREAS, he coached the U.S. Women's Basketball Team to the 2002 FIBA World Championship Gold Medal and the Gold Medal in the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece; and

WHEREAS, Van Chancellor has received numerous coaching honors including: National Coach of the Year (1992, 2004); SEC Coach of the Year (1987, 1990, 1992); WNBA Coach of the Year (1997, 1998, 1999); and WNBA All-Star Game Coach (1999, 2000, 2001); and was selected in 1999 as one of the State's 50 Greatest Sports Figures by Sports Illustrated as he was picked on the elite list at #35; and

WHEREAS, upon his induction to the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame in 2005, he will be a member of four athletic halls of fame, including: the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame (2001); the Ole Miss Athletic Hall of Fame (2002); the East Central Community College Hall of Fame (1998); and the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize this outstanding athlete and coach who has brought honor to his community, his college and university, and to the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Van Chancellor, Hall of Fame Women's Basketball Coach from Louisville, Mississippi, upon his induction into the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2005, and wish him and his family continued success in all their future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Coach Chancellor at the induction ceremony, and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.