Senate Resolution 16

(As Adopted by Senate)

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE CAREER OF STANDOUT ATHLETE AND TWO-SPORT ALL-AMERICAN KRISTIN CHANEY OF EAST CENTRAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE.

WHEREAS, standout athlete, Kristin Chaney of East Central Community College in Decatur, Mississippi, is a two-sport All-American in Ladies Basketball and Ladies Softball, is a National Junior College Athletic Association Academic All-American and member of the ECCC Hall of Fame; and

WHEREAS, Kristin is the daughter of Ricky and Brenda Chaney of Little Rock, Mississippi, and she is a graduate of Newton County High School in Decatur; and

WHEREAS, her community college athletic and scholastic achievements are a matter of record: two-year starter on ECCC Basketball and Softball teams and first ECCC athlete to receive All-American honors in two sports; led the 2003-2004 Lady Warriors basketball team to the MACJC South Division and State titles and the Region 23 Tournament Championship. East Central also finished runners-up in the Consolation Bracket of the NJCAA Division I Women's Basketball Championship in Salina, Kansas. The Lady Warriors finished season action with a record 31 wins and just 4 losses and were ranked eighth in the final NJCAA poll. Awards Chaney received as a freshman basketball player included first-team All-American and All-Region 23 Tournament Team. She was also named ECCC's Newcomer of the Year; led the 2003-2004 Lady Warriors fast-pitch softball team to the MACJC Central Division runner-up title and a berth in the MACJC/Region 23 Tournament en route to a 26-14 record. She was one of only three freshmen and the only Mississippian selected second team All-American. She batted .423 with 4 triples, 7 doubles and 15 RBIs. She also scored 34 runs. In addition to being named second team All-American, Chaney was selected first team All-Central Division, All-State and All-Region 23. She was selected ECCC's Most Valuable Player; led the 2004-2005 Lady Warriors basketball team to the Region 23 Tournament runner-up title and a 20-10 record. She was named second team All-American, first team All-Region 23 and All-State, and was named to the All-Region 23 Tournament Team and MACJC South Division All-Star squad. In addition, she was named ECCC's Most Valuable Player and received the team co-captain award. She averaged 13 points, 4 assists and two steals during the 2004-2005 season; led the 2004-2005 Lady Warriors softball team to the MACJC Central Division title and a third-place finish in the MACJC State/NJCAA Region 23 Tournament en route to a record 34 wins and 5 losses. Following the 2005 campaign, Chaney was named first team All-Central Division, All-State and All-Region. She was also nominated for NJCAA All-American. In addition, she was named ECCC's Most Valuable Offensive and Defensive Player; member of Theta Xi Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, the International Honor Society for two-year colleges; member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes; named to ECCC Hall of Fame, the highest honor a student can receive at college; named to Who's Who Among Students in American Junior Colleges; was selected a Distinguished NJCAA Academic All-American in basketball and softball (for achieving a 3.8 grade point average or above on a 4.0 scale); received the Dr. Phil A. Sutphin Presidential Scholarship to the University of Southern Mississippi, where she plans to major in health; received scholarships in basketball and softball at the University of Southern Mississippi; plans to become a Physical Therapist; quote from Lady Warriors basketball coach Brad Hodge: "Kristin's success on the basketball court is a testament to her natural ability. To be selected second team All-American in basketball and softball demonstrates what kind of athlete she is and what she is capable of doing. There's been nobody more deserving of such an honor. We're going to miss her but we're proud of what she has brought to us the past two years and hope she continues her success at Southern"; quote from Lady Warriors softball coach Scott Hill: "Kristin is a real pleasure to coach. She raises the rest of the team's level of play with the energy she brings to the field every game. Players like Kristin Chaney don't come around very often"; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize this student-athlete whose accomplishments have brought honor to her college, her community, her family and to the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend the career of standout athlete and two-sport All-American Kristin Chaney of East Central Community College in Decatur, Mississippi, and extend to her and her family the best wishes of the Senate on her future athletic and academic endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Kristin and her family and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.