House Resolution 85

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE TOUGALOO COLLEGE BULLDOGS MENS BASKETBALL TEAM AND COACH LAFAYETTE STRIBLING UPON A SUCCESSFUL 2010-2011 SEASON.

WHEREAS, the Tougaloo College Bulldogs Mens Basketball Team finished the 2010-2011 season with a fine record of 28 wins and 5 losses; and

WHEREAS, the Bulldogs did very well in postseason play winning the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Tournament beating Xavier in the championship game to get to the NAIA Division I National Tournament; and

WHEREAS, with only seven players, Coach Stribling's "Magnificent Seven" competed admirably after the roster was trimmed from 13 to seven players winning the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference regular season championship; and

WHEREAS, Coach Stribling has coached basketball for 54 years and has made a positive impact on the lives of numerous young men who all benefited from his wisdom and guidance to become successful in life; and

WHEREAS, the Bulldogs' run in the national tournament produced a first round win against Emmanuel College of Franklin, Georgia, but their postseason came to an end when Martin Methodist defeated the Bulldogs in the second round; and

WHEREAS, the Bulldogs' roster at the season's end was comprised of Mario Luckett, Marquise Mems, Donteeno Todd, Jurmond Cattenhead, Juan Gray, Kadon Day and James Carter; and

WHEREAS, Coach Stribling and Assistant Coach Harvey Wardell have broadened the players' knowledge of the game and refined their skills in execution; and

WHEREAS, the Bulldogs have developed a winning and cooperative spirit and a high degree of sportsmanship, and their activities and attitude reflect great credit upon the individual players and their coaches and bring honor to Tougaloo College; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize and commend excellence, especially when evidenced by such an outstanding group of young men such as the Tougaloo College Bulldogs Mens Basketball Team and their coaches:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the Tougaloo College Bulldogs Mens Basketball Team and their coaches, Head Coach Lafayette Stribling and Assistant Coach Harvey Wardell, for their outstanding 2010-2011 season and for winning the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference regular season and tournament titles.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Tougaloo College, Head Coach Lafayette Stribling, Assistant Coach Harvey Wardell and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.