House Concurrent Resolution 125

(As Adopted by House and Senate)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY SENIOR FORWARD JARVIS VARNADO FOR BREAKING NCAA CAREER RECORDS AND FOR AN EXCEPTIONAL 2009-2010 SEASON.

WHEREAS, on February 24, 2010, Jarvis Varnado surpassed Wojciech Myrda's record in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) with all-time career blocks of 564, while playing against the University of Alabama; and

WHEREAS, prior to that, on November 21, 2009, Jarvis Varnado became the Southeastern Conference (SEC) all-time blocker record holder with 413 total blocks in his career, passing Louisiana State University's O'Neal's record of 412; and

WHEREAS, it is with immense satisfaction that we distinguish the College Basketball Shot Blocking King Jarvis Varnado who has brought triumph to Mississippi State University and to the State of Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, in the 2009-2010 NCAA basketball season, there is no one in America more synonymous with blocking shots than State's Jarvis Varnado; and

WHEREAS, he has developed the skill into an art form, but few realize just how he became the king of swatting shots by breaking the NCAA career mark (564) for blocked shots; being the first player in NCAA history to amass 1,000 points, 1,000 rebounds and 500 blocks in a career; breaking Shaquille O'Neal's SEC blocked shots record earlier in the season; being the 2000 SEC Tournament MVP; becoming an All-America candidate; becoming the 2010 John R. Wooden Award candidate; and being the 31st MSU player to score 1,000 career points in 2009-2010; and

WHEREAS, on February 24, 2010, Mississippi State All-SEC Senior Forward Jarvis Varnado was named one of 30 finalists for the Naismith Trophy presented by AT&T; and

WHEREAS, the finalists for the Naismith Trophy were chosen by the Atlanta Tipoff Club's Board of Selectors, which is comprised of basketball journalists from around the country and the award is given annually to the top men's college basketball player and will be presented at the Final Four in Indianapolis; and

WHEREAS, while the coaches' hard work put him into this position of being recognized, the Naismith Trophy Finalist would not be possible without great teammates, and Varnado's Mississippi State colleagues are a perfect example of that; and

WHEREAS, on March 15, 2010, Jarvis Varnado was named to the First Team of The Associated Press All-SEC squad for 2009-2010; and

WHEREAS, twelfth-year MSU Coach Rick Stansbury said of Varnado, "When you consider Jarvis was a kid coming out of high school that wasn't heavily recruited, what he's been able to achieve is even more impressive, he's deserving of everything he's achieved."; and

WHEREAS, in 2008-2009 Jarvis Varnado set the following records as a junior: All-SEC pick by the AP and league coaches; named to the All-Defensive Team and tabbed SEC Defensive Player of the Year for the second year in a row; led the nation with 170 blocked shots, more than nine of the SEC teams and only 21 of 330 Division I teams had more; with eight blocks against Fairleigh Dickinson, became MSU's all-time leader, surpassing Erick Dampier's mark of 249; had team-high eight double-doubles; had school-record nine first-half blocks against Louisiana-Monroe; scored career-high 31 points vs. LSU; scored 20-plus points six times; against LSU in Southeastern Conference (SEC) Tournament, became the SEC single-season leader in blocked shots; fourth in SEC in field goal percentage at .549 (180 of 328); his 394 career blocks are the second-most in SEC history behind Shaquille O'Neal's 412; had career-high with four steals at Georgia and four assists vs. Ole Miss; and

WHEREAS, Jarvis Varnado was a member of Team USA Squad for six games, including three starts, at the World University Games where he averaged 5.5 points, 3.8 boards and had seven blocks en route to winning the Bronze Medal and posting a 6-1 record; and

WHEREAS, born March 1, 1988, in Fairfax, Virginia, Jarvis is majoring in physical education at Mississippi State University; and

WHEREAS, standing a tall six feet, nine inches, Varnado is the son of Janice Varnado and Winston Varnado, the coach at West Point High School; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to recognize and commend excellence, especially when evidenced by the youth of our state, who are its future:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Mississippi State University All-SEC star basketball forward, Jarvis Varnado, for breaking NCAA shot blocking records, for being a Naismith Trophy Finalist and extend best wishes for continued success in his future athletic career.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Jarvis Varnado, Coach Rick Stansbury, Mississippi State University and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.