Senate Concurrent Resolution 602

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING CORINTH TENNIS COACH LYNN WOOD UPON HIS INDUCTION INTO THE 2006 MISSISSIPPI ASSOCIATION OF COACHES HALL OF FAME.

WHEREAS, on July 7, 2006, 41-year veteran Corinth Tennis Coach Lynn Wood and four other coaches were honored at the 34th Mississippi Association of Coaches Hall of Fame Induction and Awards Banquet in Jackson, Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, since 1972, the Lexington, Tennessee, native has directed the Corinth High School tennis team to 11 State Championships and 26 event titles; and

WHEREAS, for coaches and athletic directors a minimum of 25 years of service are required by the Mississippi Association of Coaches at a Mississippi Junior High School, Mississippi High School or Mississippi Community/Junior College. In addition, nominees must have made an outstanding contribution to the profession and be dedicated to the athletes and to the sport(s) he is coaching; and

WHEREAS, Coach Wood has played a strong role in tennis outside of Corinth's state titles. He has been a member of the Tennis Committee since its inception, even serving as the Chairman until 2000, helped start the All-Star Game in 1995 and for good measure runs the Juniors portion of the Candy Classic; and

WHEREAS, Coach Wood earned degrees at Bethel College and Middle Tennessee State University before entering the education field in 1965. He taught and assisted in football and basketball for one year at Southside Jr. High in Jacksonville, Florida, before moving to then-Ramer High School in McNairy County, Tennessee, for a one-year stint in 1966; and

WHEREAS, Coach Wood began what would be a 38-year teaching career at Corinth in the fall of 1967. This move would be his last. He taught Biology, Physical Science and then Earth Science until ending a 40-year teaching career on June 30, 2005; and

WHEREAS, upon arriving at Corinth, Wood worked with the junior high football program and assisted James A. Horton on the hardwood. He didn't begin to build his Hall of Fame résumé until the spring of 1972 when Horton, who later became the school's winningest coach on the hardwood, stepped aside as tennis coach; and

WHEREAS, "Back in those days you had to be really tough," said Wood. "There was no classification for tennis and all the school's that had a team in the district were thrown together. You had to be really good to get out"; and

WHEREAS, the initial trip in 1974 wouldn't be Wood's last. Since then, 1976 is the only year in which Corinth High School wasn't represented by at least one event in the state tournament; and

WHEREAS, Corinth began its tennis dominance in 1981. In those 26 seasons, the Warriors and Lady Warriors have claimed 15 district/division titles, 11 state titles and 26 event championships. In winning its first championship, Corinth High School also set school records with 17 points and three-event titles. Those marks, although since tied twice, have stood the test of time. Corinth High School claimed seven straight team titles and 14 event championships from 1986-1992; and

WHEREAS, in May of 2006, Corinth High School successfully defended its title -- winning for the third time in five years -- with a record-tying 17 points and three-event championships; and

WHEREAS, a handful of Mississippi Association of Coaches Hall of Famers have ties to Corinth High School, but Wood is believed to be the first one to have logged at least five years as a Head Coach. Wood might have retired from teaching, but he's planning on continuing his other interest -- officiating football, which also began in 1972; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize the enthusiasm of this legendary tennis coach who has brought honor to his school, 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 Corinth High School Tennis Coach Lynn Wood upon his induction into the 2006 Mississippi Association of Coaches Hall of Fame and extend to him and his family the best wishes of the Legislature on his future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Coach Wood and be forwarded to the Principal of Corinth High School and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.