House Resolution 27

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE SUCCESS AND ATHLETIC ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI REBELS QUARTERBACK BO WALLACE UPON BEING NAMED RECIPIENT OF THE 2012 CONERLY TROPHY AS THE BEST COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYER IN THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI.

WHEREAS, Bo Wallace, a sophomore football player at the University of Mississippi, has been a tremendous addition to the Ole Miss Rebels Football Team after transferring from East Mississippi Community College in the spring of 2012; and

WHEREAS, Bo becomes the fifth Conerly Trophy winner for Ole Miss, joining such esteemed alumni as Stewart Patridge (2007), Deuce McAllister (1999), Eli Manning (2001 and 2003) and Patrick Willis (2006); and

WHEREAS, Bo Wallace finished his sophomore season with 2,994 passing yards and 22 touchdowns passing, 390 rushing yards and 8 touchdowns rushing and one receiving touchdown, trailing only Eli Manning's senior season school passing yardage record; and

WHEREAS, leading the Rebels to the 2013 BBVA Compass Bowl in Birmingham, Alabama, Bo threw for 151 yards and three touchdowns and ran for 38 yards, winning the MVP award for the game that the Rebels won 38-17 over the University of Pittsburgh; and

WHEREAS, Bo had his most outstanding performance of the season against Mississippi State University in the Egg Bowl, when he threw for 298 yards and a school-record five touchdown passes; and

WHEREAS, upon being named the award recipient, Wallace stated, "Coach Freeze and our coaching staff spent a lot of time and effort getting everyone on our team to buy into their long-term vision and plan for our program this year. It paid off as we have one of the most exciting teams in college football with tremendous momentum to build on this year's success on into the future"; and

WHEREAS, Bo Wallace was selected as the recipient of the 2012 Conerly Trophy, an award given to Mississippi's top college football player, on November 27, 2012, at a banquet held at the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum in Jackson; and

WHEREAS, being the recipient of the Conerly Trophy not only further defines Bo Wallace as a talented individual, but also distinguishes him from his peers with exceptional athleticism, skill and ability, and solidifies him as the best college football player in the State of Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize and commend the stellar achievements of outstanding student athletes such as Bo Wallace, whose talents and high degree of sportsmanship reflect honor upon his university and the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Bo Wallace upon his athletic accomplishments with the University of Mississippi Rebels and being awarded the prestigious 2012 Conerly Trophy, and extend best wishes for continued success in all of his future endeavors.

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