House Resolution 16

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING COACH WILLIE "RAT" MCGOWAN, SR., UPON HIS SUCCESSFUL CAREER AND HIS MANY ACCOMPLISHMENTS AT ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY.

WHEREAS, Willie "Rat" McGowan, Sr., a native of McComb, Mississippi, has completed his 34th season as head baseball coach of Alcorn State University with a record of 611-587-7; and

WHEREAS, an alumnus of Alcorn State University, Coach McGowan earned his bachelor of science degree in health and physical education in 1961, before furthering his education at the Universities of Georgia and Kansas, while earning his master of science in health and physical education from Kansas State University; and

WHEREAS, while at Alcorn as a student, "Rat," a four-year letterman in football, acted as the team captain during the 1960 and 1961 campaigns, and earned the Little All-American Award in 1958 during his freshman campaign, additionally receiving All-Conference honors in each of his four seasons and named team Most Valuable Player, while being the recipient of the first Jack Spinks Award in 1959; and

WHEREAS, prior to graduating, McGowan became an instructor of science at Central High School in Liberty, Mississippi, in addition to being named assistant football coach before garnering the titles of athletic director, head football coach, track and field and baseball coach the ensuing year for the 1962-1964 seasons; and

WHEREAS, having shared his instructional and coaching abilities and expertise in Mississippi and Missouri, "Rat" McGowan made his way back to Alcorn in 1968 as defensive back coach, where he remained part of the football staff until 1993; and

WHEREAS, over the course of his 25-year stint, he wore many hats, helping to guide the Braves to nine Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Championships and four National Black College Championships; and

WHEREAS, in addition to his football coaching duties, McGowan split duty as head baseball coach and earned four SWAC Coach of the Year Awards (1976, 1979, 1981 and 1988), four Eastern Division Championships and one Eastern Division Tournament Championship; and

WHEREAS, "Rat" McGowan has coached several notable players who have gone on to be drafted into the major league, continued the tradition of grooming a solid pedigree of players with several potential draft picks on the roster; and

WHEREAS, in 1998, McGowan earned the prestigious honor of being named to the Alcorn State University's Sports Hall of Fame as a player and coach in football and baseball; and

WHEREAS, known as the "Dean of Baseball Coaches" in the SWAC, "Rat" is the eldest coach in the conference; and

WHEREAS, wed to the former Doris Hamilton, who currently serves as the Chair of the Department of Education and Psychology at Alcorn, "Rat" has been supported and encouraged in his endeavors by his wife and children, sons, Reginald and Willie, Jr.; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize and commend the excellence as exhibited by the passion and talent of Coach "Rat" McGowan:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Coach Willie "Rat" McGowan, Sr., upon his successful career and his many accomplishments while at Alcorn State University and extend our warmest wishes for continued success in all his future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Coach Willie McGowan, Sr., and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.