MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2005 2nd Extraordinary Session
To: Rules
By: Representative Perkins, Smith (27th), Robinson (63rd), Thomas, Whittington, Huddleston, Clark, Dickson
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE DISTINGUISHED AND DEDICATED CAREER AND SERVICE OF COACH LAFAYETTE STRIBLING UPON HIS RETIREMENT FROM MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY.
WHEREAS, Lafayette Stribling, Mississippi Valley State University's (MVSU) men's basketball coach, announced his retirement plans on Monday, May 23, 2005, after 23 years at the institution; and
WHEREAS, Coach Stribling, at 70 years of age, is not hanging up his whistle as he becomes Tougaloo College men's basketball coach, beginning his new job on July 1, the day after his Valley contract expires; and
WHEREAS, in 22 seasons at MVSU, Stribling won a school-record 315 games and led the Delta Devils to four Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) regular-season championships, three SWAC Tournament championships and three NCAA Tournament appearances; and
WHEREAS, Coach Stribling secured his place in Valley and SWAC lore by winning games with up-tempo basketball, becoming just as well-known for the wide array of tailored suits, and establishing himself as an institution at the university; and
WHEREAS, an alumnus of Mississippi Industrial College and Mississippi State University, with additional certification received at MVSU, Coach Stribling coached high school basketball for a total of 26 years at Harmony High School, Murphy High School and South Leake High School, before commencing his career with MVSU; and
WHEREAS, lauded for his athletic and coaching success, Coach Stribling was inducted into the Mississippi Industrial College Hall of Fame in 1976, presented the Leake County Association of Educators Award in the field of Sports in 1980, the NAACP Outstanding Achievement Awards in Sports for Leake County in 1980, became the first African American to become head boys basketball coach for Mississippi High School North All-Star Team and past member of the District IV and Mississippi High School Activities Association Executive Committee; and
WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to recognize and commend the outstanding career of Coach Lafayette Stribling, whose passion for coaching has made him legendary among his colleagues and high school and collegiate sports programs throughout the state and nation:
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 distinguished and dedicated career of Coach Lafayette Stribling and express our heartiest wishes for success in all his future endeavors.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Coach Stribling, Mississippi Valley State University and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.