MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2012 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Jackson (15th), Lee, Clarke, Carmichael, Harkins, Jolly, Burton, Butler (38th), Fillingane, Frazier, Jackson (11th), Montgomery, Ward
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING AND SALUTING MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY BASKETBALL COACH RICK STANSBURY FOR HIS UNPRECEDENTED TENURE WITH THE MOST WINS IN SCHOOL HISTORY.
WHEREAS, a remarkable 14-year run as a Head Coach came to an end on March 15, 2012, as Mississippi State University Basketball Coach Rick Stansbury announced his retirement after 22 years with the University; and
WHEREAS, Coach Stansbury's unprecedented tenure was filled with championships, the most wins in school history and an impressive list of All-American and All-SEC performers. His legacy, which began to form as an Assistant Coach at Mississippi State University in 1991 under Richard Williams, also has him in the SEC record books as the ninth-winningest Coach in League history; and
WHEREAS, it was a head coaching career that began on March 13, 1998, and one that ends fourth behind powerhouse programs Kentucky, Florida and Tennessee in total number of victories - 293. During that span, Stansbury guided the Bulldogs to five Western Division Crowns, an overall SEC Title in 2004, and four SEC Tournament Championship appearances that netted two Crowns, including the magical run in 2009 that saw MSU win four games in four days. He compiled 16 tournament wins, which ties for the ninth most in SEC history. Prior to his arrival, MSU had totaled just seven 20-win seasons. That number now stands at 17, as the Bulldogs recorded their tenth 20-plus win season this past year with Stansbury at the helm; and
WHEREAS, Mississippi State also proved to be resilient on the road in SEC play under Stansbury's tutelage, as the Bulldogs left opposing venues victorious on 40 occasions. Only Kentucky, Florida and Tennessee had more. In all, Stansbury coached his teams to 122 SEC wins, the 14th most in SEC history, and had winning records against eight of the League foes, including his 21-8 mark against arch-rival Ole Miss; and
WHEREAS, in 2004, under Coach Stansbury the Bulldogs won the overall regular-season title after posting a 14-2 ledger in SEC play, including an unblemished 8-0 mark the road; and
WHEREAS, "Rick has given much to Mississippi State University over the past 22 years, including the last 14 as our Head Coach," MSU Athletics Director Scott Stricklin said. "The achievements of men's basketball under his direction are many. He and his wife, Meo, have been totally invested in our basketball program, and we thank them both for what they have brought to Mississippi State University"; and
WHEREAS, Stansbury, who turned 52 in December 2011, also enjoyed great postseason success. Six of his teams garnered NCAA Tournament bids, while five squads participated in the NIT, including this year's team; and
WHEREAS, "Over the past 22 years, Coach Rick Stansbury has elevated our basketball program, and he and Meo have represented our University in an exemplary way," MSU President Dr. Mark E. Keenum said. "Rick's status as MSU's all-time winningest and longest-tenured basketball Coach assures his abiding place in the University's history, and we will be forever grateful for our association with them. We share the respect and esteem that our fans and alumni hold for the Stansbury family and what they've accomplished here. We likewise respect his heartfelt decision after three successful decades of college coaching to retire and to be able to enjoy more time with his family"; and
WHEREAS, as an Assistant Coach from 1991-1998, he was known as a tireless and highly successful recruiter, landing such greats as Erick Dampier, Dontaé Jones, Chuck Evans, Horatio Webster, Tyrone Washington and Darryl Wilson. It was that type of talent that played instrumental roles in the Bulldogs' advancing to the program's first Sweet 16 in 1995 and, of course, the 1996 Final Four. Prior to joining Mississippi State University in 1991, the 1982 Campbellsville College graduate was an Assistant Coach at Austin Peay from 1985-1990; and
WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we acknowledge the era of a respected Coach of great character who has enriched the lives of all his players and colleagues:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby recognize and salute Mississippi State University Basketball Coach Rick Stansbury for his unprecedented tenure with the most wins in school history, and thank him and his family for the 14 years of memories and accomplishments for the Bulldog Family.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Coach Stansbury and his family, forwarded to Athletic Director Scott Stricklin and President Mark Keenum and the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.