Senate Concurrent Resolution 625

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING CAROL ROSS UPON HER 300TH CAREER WIN AND WINNING THE 2005 GOLD MEDAL IN WOMEN'S BASKETBALL.

WHEREAS, on March 18, 2003, Coach Carol Ross answered the call of her Alma Mater and returned to the University of Mississippi as its Head Coach, where she has quickly resurrected the women's basketball program, shattered school attendance records, led the Lady Rebels back to the NCAA Tournament and was honored as SEC Coach of the Year (2004); and

WHEREAS, only the fourth person in women's basketball history to have played for and coached nationally ranked teams at the same school, Coach Ross currently ranks twentieth among active coaches for all-time Associated Press ranking appearances; and

WHEREAS, for the third time in her three seasons at Ole Miss, Coach Ross has led the Lady Rebels to postseason tournament play (2004 and 2005 NCAA tournaments and 2006 Women's NIT); and

WHEREAS, on March 19, 2006, at Naismith Court in the historic Allen Fieldhouse, Coach Ross picked up her 300th career win with a victory over Kansas in the first round of the Women's National Invitation Tournament; and

WHEREAS, from her days as a student athlete throughout her coaching career, Carol Ross has established herself as an intense competitor, outstanding leader and proven winner in the arena of women's basketball; and

WHEREAS, a native of Oakland, Mississippi, Ross was a four-year, All-State player at Kirk Academy where she led the Raiderettes to three overall State Basketball Championships, was Kirk Academy's first female athlete to have her jersey retired and was named a "High School All-American"; and

WHEREAS, Ross earned her bachelor's degree in education in 1982 from the University of Mississippi where she was a four-year starter for the Lady Rebels from 1977-1981, set a Southeastern Conference record for steals in a career with 333 and was named a member of the inaugural SEC All-Tournament Team; and

WHEREAS, Ross was known as a pesky, tenacious defensive leader at Ole Miss where she is still the school's all-time leader in steals in a game, season and career, and she is one of only two Lady Rebels to score 1,000 points, 500 assists and 250 steals in a career; and

WHEREAS, Ross became the fourth women's basketball player in Ole Miss history to be inducted into the University of Mississippi Athletic Hall of Fame when she was honored on September 1, 2001; and

WHEREAS, Ross first served as Head Coach at the University of Florida from 1990-2002 where she posted a winning record of 247-121 in 12 successful seasons, led Florida to its first Top 10 national ranking and trip to the NCAA Elite Eight and made nine NCAA Tournament appearances; and

WHEREAS, for her accomplishments at Florida, Coach Ross was named SEC Coach of the Year on two occasions (1994 and 2001), was Head Coach of the United States Select Team (1998) and was a two-time finalist for the Naismith National Coach of the Year (2001 and 2002) before retiring from the University of Florida in 2002 as the all-time winningest coach in Florida history; and

WHEREAS, Coach Ross was selected to represent her country in 2005 as an assistant coach of the USA Women's Basketball U19 Team which she guided to a perfect 8-0 record and a Gold Medal at the FIBA World Championship in Tunis, Tunisia; and

WHEREAS, the 2005 USA Women's Basketball U19 Team was selected as the 2005 USA Basketball Team of the Year; and

WHEREAS, Coach Ross is an active member of the Oxford Community, having volunteered for a variety of civic groups, school groups and community organizations, while also fundraising for numerous charity groups and serving as a board member for the American Cancer Society and the Coaches v. Cancer organization, which honored her as its 2000 Champion Award winner; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize the spirit and accomplishments of this outstanding coach who is a role model for many young athletes and who has brought great honor and pride to her community, 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 Coach Carol Ross on her 300th career win and for winning the 2005 Gold Medal in women's basketball and extend the best wishes of the Legislature for her future successes.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Coach Carol Ross, be forwarded to the Chancellor of the University of Mississippi and be made available to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.