Senate Concurrent Resolution 513

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING OLE MISS JUNIOR OUTFIELDER BRIAN PETTWAY OF VICKSBURG, MISSISSIPPI, FOR HIS SELECTION AS RECIPIENT OF THE 2005 CELLULAR SOUTH FERRISS TROPHY WHICH RECOGNIZES MISSISSIPPI'S TOP COLLEGE BASEBALL PLAYER.

WHEREAS, Ole Miss Junior outfielder Brian Pettway of Vicksburg, Mississippi, was named Mississippi's top college baseball player for 2005 on Monday, May 23, 2005, when he was named the recipient of the Cellular South Ferriss Trophy in a presentation at the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame & Museum in Jackson, Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, Pettway finished the regular season as the SEC's top hitter with a .400 average. His 86 hits were the second best in the league and his 17 homers tied him with Ole Miss teammate and fellow Ferriss Trophy finalist Stephen Head for fourth in the SEC. Head won the award last year; and

WHEREAS, Pettway was a high school teammate of Delta State catcher Craig Newton at Warren Central High School in Vicksburg, Mississippi. Craig was also a finalist for the state's top collegiate baseball honor; and

WHEREAS, the finalists and eventual winner were determined in two rounds of voting by Major League scouts in Mississippi, coaches and the state's twelve four-year college baseball programs and a media representative; and

WHEREAS, the award is named for Dave "Boo" Ferriss, an inductee into the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and the Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame; and

WHEREAS, former New York Yankees' standout and ex-American League President Dr. Bobby Brown presented the trophy at the ceremony held at the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum; and

WHEREAS, Pettway was among five Ole Miss players to receive All-Southeastern Conference honors, league officials announced Tuesday, May 24, 2005. Brian, the Ferriss Award winner, and first baseman/pitcher Stephen Head were first-team selections; and

WHEREAS, in the summer of 2004 and the summer of 2003, Brian played for the Jackson 96ers in the Cotton States League and in 2004 was named second team All-SEC as a utility player by The Chattanooga Times Free Press; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize this special award by a dedicated athlete who has brought honor to his university, his community 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 Ole Miss Junior Outfielder Brian Pettway of Vicksburg, Mississippi, for his selection as recipient of the 2005 Cellular South Ferriss Trophy, which recognizes Mississippi's Top College Baseball Player, and extend to him and his team the best wishes of the Legislature as they commence post-season tournament play.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Coach Mike Bianco, Brian Pettway and his family, and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.