House Resolution 111

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING COACH JOE WALKER UPON HIS RETIREMENT FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI AFTER 30 YEARS AS THE HEAD COACH OF THE TRACK AND FIELD TEAM.

WHEREAS, Coach Joe Walker, a native of Utica, Mississippi, is retiring from the University of Mississippi after 30 years as the Head Coach of the Track and Field Team; and

WHEREAS, Coach Walker is one of the most well-respected coaches in the country, and he has routinely produced Southeastern Conference champions, National Collegiate Athletic Association champions and Olympians throughout his coaching career; and

WHEREAS, as the Rebels head coach, he has guided his teams to 11 top-20 national finishes, including six times in the last five seasons, and his athletes have earned All-America recognition 115 times, including 12 NCAA individual champions; and

WHEREAS, a graduate of Utica High School where he was an outstanding all-around high school athlete, he then attended the University of Mississippi on one of the first M-Club scholarships, but his desire to play athletics led to his transfer to Mississippi College in Clinton, Mississippi, where he lettered in cross country, track and basketball; and

WHEREAS, upon graduation from Mississippi College in 1969, Coach Walker began his illustrious coaching career as an assistant coach in football, basketball and track at Meridian High School in Meridian, Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, after Meridian High School won the state track championship, Walker's alma mater called and he immediately returned to Mississippi College where he became the cross country and track and field coach; and

WHEREAS, after a successful stint at Mississippi College, he had a stop at the University of Florida before becoming the Head Coach of the Ole Miss Track and Field Team; and

WHEREAS, at least one of his athletes or former athletes participated in every Olympic Games from 1976-2000 and then again in 2008; and

WHEREAS, over the years, his teams have traditionally been outstanding in the classroom as well as on the track, and his teams have produced the most academic honorees on the Honor Wall at the FedEx Academic Support Center of any Ole Miss sports program; and

WHEREAS, Coach Walker thinks of himself as a teacher first and foremost, and he is known in the coaching profession as someone with a knack for developing talent; and

WHEREAS, Coach Walker has lovingly been supported over the years by his devoted wife, Faye Hall of Jackson, Mississippi, and their three sons, Joseph III, Brian and Luke; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize outstanding individuals in the schools of this state, such as Coach Joe Walker, who dedicate their lives to positively impacting and shaping the minds of the young adults of our state, who are its future:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Coach Joe Walker upon his retirement from the University of Mississippi after 30 years as the Head Coach of the Track and Field Team and extend best wishes for many years of good health, peace and happiness.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Coach Walker, the University of Mississippi and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.