Senate Resolution 55

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING DELTA STATE UNIVERSITY BASKETBALL COACH STEVE RIVES FOR BEING NAMED NATIONAL "COACH OF THE YEAR".

WHEREAS, the Delta State University "Statesmen" Boys Basketball Team led by Coach Steve Rives earned the right to host the Division II South Region Men's Basketball Tournament in Cleveland, Mississippi, after winning the Gulf South Conference Tournament Final on Sunday, March 5, 2006; and

WHEREAS, Coach Rives helped the "Statesmen" craft one of their best seasons ever, and for this effort he was named Basketball Times Coach of the Year; and

WHEREAS, Rives guided the Statesmen to their best record in school history, posting an impressive 30-2 mark. The Statesmen were ranked No. 1 in the nation at one point in the season and were ranked No. 1 in the South Region, which allowed them to host the South Regional Tournament earlier this month. At one point during the season, the Statesmen put together a 26-game winning streak. Rives was also named Gulf South Conference West Division Coach of the Year this season; and

WHEREAS, Coach Steve Rives claimed his 400th career win in the tournament final and captured his 5th Gulf South Conference SC West Coach of the Year Award after the Statesmen claimed a perfect 16-0 record in Gulf South Conference play; and

WHEREAS, Coach Rives, who finished his 21st season as a Head Coach and 20th at Delta State University has posted an overall career record of 401-200. Rives' record with Delta State is 386-188. The Statesmen have gone to the NCAA Division II Tournament 9 times in Rives' tenure; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize this magical season by a group of student athletes and their veteran coach, who have brought honor to their university, their community and to the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Delta State University Basketball Coach Steve Rives for leading the Statesmen to their best season and for being named National "Coach of the Year" by Basketball Times, and extend to him and his family the best wishes of the Senate in his future successes.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Coach Rives and the President of Delta State University and be forwarded to the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning, and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.