Senate Concurrent Resolution 542

(As Adopted by Senate and House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING HAL EASTERWOOD, ALL-AMERICAN FOOTBALL CENTER FROM EUPORA, MISSISSIPPI, UPON HIS INDUCTION INTO THE MISSISSIPPI SPORTS HALL OF FAME, CLASS OF 2005.

WHEREAS, the Jackson Touchdown Club and the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame has unveiled the Class of 2005 of the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame, which features Hal Easterwood, All-American football center for Mississippi State University and outstanding high school coach from Eupora, Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, an All-Conference four-sport letterman at Eupora High, Hal Easterwood was a star lineman for Mississippi State from 1952-1954; coached by Murray Warmath and college football Hall of Fame member Darrell Royal at MSU, he was one of the fastest lineman in college football and also played linebacker for the Maroons; and

WHEREAS, he served in the military from 1950-1951; his MSU teammates included Mississippi State Hall of Fame members Art Davis, Jackie Parker, Scott Suber, Bobby Collins and Joe Fortunato; he helped MSU compile a record of 16-10-3 with an SEC ledger of 9-8-3 during his career; he was named First Team All-SEC by AP and 2nd team by UPI in 1954; he also made AP and UPI 2nd team All-SEC squad in 1953 and was chosen as the SEC's Most Valuable Lineman by the Birmingham Touchdown Club in 1953 and played in the 1954 Blue-Gray All-Star game and the 1955 Senior Bowl; and

WHEREAS, Hal was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the 12th round of the 1954 NFL draft, but opted for a coaching career, becoming Head Football and Track Coach at Columbus Lee, Assistant Football Coach and Head Track Coach at Gardiner High and R.H. Watkins High in Laurel, Mississippi, and Assistant Principal and Director of Guidance for Laurel City Schools; and

WHEREAS, Senator Easterwood served a term in the Mississippi Senate; he was an active member of the Kiwanis Club, Mississippi Association of Coaches, United Givers Fund and the Mississippi State M-Club; and

WHEREAS, he was inducted as a charter member of the Mississippi State Bulldog Athletic Hall of Fame in 1970; 15 of the 19 charter inductees with Hal are members including Hughie Critz, Willie Mitchell, Boo Ferriss, Tranny Gaddy, Gatch Gatchell, Shorty McWilliams, Dudy Noble, Don Magruder Scott, W.O. Spencer, Billy Stacy, H.L. "Hook" Stone, Clyde "Heifer" Stuart, P.L. Wells and Pat Wilson; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize this outstanding athlete and coach who has brought honor to his community, his 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 Hal Easterwood, All-American football center for the Mississippi State University "Bulldogs" and High School Coach from Eupora, 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 Easterwood at induction ceremonies, and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.