Senate Concurrent Resolution 591

(As Adopted by Senate and House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING LEAKE ACADEMY "REBELETTES" GIRLS BASKETBALL COACH DOYLE WOLVERTON FOR HISTORIC WIN NUMBER 1,153.

WHEREAS, on January 21, 2011, Doyle Wolverton's ascent on the list of winningest high school basketball coaches in the nation continued as the Leake Academy legend achieved career win number 1,153; and

WHEREAS, with that historic win in a 66-29 rout of Simpson Academy, Coach Wolverton became the third winningest girls' basketball coach in the country, passing Bertha Teague of Ida Bying, Oklahoma; and

WHEREAS, when it comes to winning basketball games, Doyle Wolverton has no rival in the State of Mississippi. He became the winningest coach in the state several years ago. For the past 36 years, very few coaches in the history of Mississippi high school basketball can win games as well as his teams have. Wolverton is now just over 60 games away from second place all-time in girls' basketball wins and about three good seasons' behind number two on the overall all-time wins lists; and

WHEREAS, having been presented with a plaque and a commemorative game ball, Wolverton addressed the crowd that packed the Joe F. Shepard Gymnasium. "To me it's always been family," said Wolverton, who has spent his entire 36-year career at Leake Academy. "You've supported me when I was right and when I was wrong. You stood behind me all the time and all this belongs to you. I thank you for letting me be a part of it"; and

WHEREAS, having achieved many milestones throughout his career, Wolverton said his most recent achievement was memorable for several reasons. "It was special because it happened here in this gym; it was special in that so many of my girls were here and also because I had so many people come by and tell me 'I saw you coach your first game and I saw this one.' Hard work - lots of

it - has been the key to making the Rebelettes' program so strong." Wolverton said he has been pleasantly surprised at the Rebelettes' performances this season, as so many crucial players were lost from last season's State Championship team; and

WHEREAS, Wolverton has few equals anywhere in the country as far as wins and 73-year-old Leta Andrews of Granbury High School in Texas is the only other active coach in the top five. Just imagine what Wolverton's total might be if he sticks with it that long, and it is with great pride that we recognize the special accomplishments of this legendary 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 Leake Academy "Rebelettes" Girls Basketball Coach Doyle Wolverton for his historic win number 1,153 in which he tied for the Third Winningest Girls Coach in the Country, and extend to him our best wishes for extending his national record.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Coach Wolverton and his family, forwarded to the Headmaster of Leake Academy and the members of the Rebelettes Basketball Team and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.