MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2015 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Kirby, Blount, Butler (38th), Frazier, Jackson (11th), Jackson (32nd), Norwood, Simmons (12th), Stone
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE LEGACY OF LEADERSHIP OF MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY BASEBALL COACH AND FORMER JACKSON CITY COMMISSIONER DOUG SHANKS ON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT.
WHEREAS, after 14 seasons, Doug Shanks is hanging up his hat at Mississippi Valley State University. The Baseball Coach will retire and he will take over the Central Hinds Academy Baseball Program; and
WHEREAS, under Coach Shanks, who replaced longtime Coach Cleotha Wilson in 2000, the Delta Devils won more than 250 games and five SWAC East Titles. Mississippi Valley State University last advanced to the SWAC Tournament Championship Game in 2012. The Delta Devils' best record during Shanks' tenure came in 2004, when they finished 35-23 before falling to Texas Southern in the SWAC Tournament Title Game; and
WHEREAS, "It's been a good run," Shanks said. "Valley is going in a positive direction with a new President and Athletic Director and I wish everyone the best." Some of the most memorable moments, according to Shanks, came when he witnessed his team defeat Jackson State, Delta State and even Southeastern Conference (SEC) opponents. Mississippi Valley State University defeated the University of Alabama, 8-3, in 2012; and
WHEREAS, a total of 24 of his former student-athletes have been named All-SWAC while one was tabbed All-American and a pair of All-Region performers. Meanwhile, 10 former Delta Devils, under Shanks, have played professional baseball; and
WHEREAS, prior to his time at Mississippi Valley State University, Shanks won three straight high school baseball State Championships while serving as Head Coach at University Christian School in Brandon, Mississippi, a school he and his former pastor founded in 1990. He was named MAIS Coach of the Year three times (1996, 1997 and 1998). He is also a member of the Mississippi Diamond Club Hall of Fame; and
WHEREAS, Doug Shanks was primarily responsible for bringing the Dizzy Dean Museum to Jackson when he was City Commissioner. During the Russell Davis administration, the Jackson city government consisted of the Mayor and two City Commissioners, who were Ed Cates (1969-1973), Tom Kelly (1969-1977) and Doug Shanks (1973-1977); and
WHEREAS, Doug Shanks was primarily responsible for negotiating a long-term lease with the State of Mississippi in order to build Smith-Wills Stadium on the east side of Jackson, where today it is next to the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame. Smith-Wills Stadium was home to the Class AA Jackson Mets and later the Jackson Generals from 1975 until 1999 when the Generals moved. The stadium was later home to independent leagues and the Belhaven University Blazers and is the site of numerous baseball and soccer tournaments. Doug was a sports visionary for Mississippi, who instituted the "Walter Payton for Heisman" movement in the 1970s and is to be congratulated for his support and involvement with sports in the City of Jackson and Central Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, in 1981, Doug Shanks ran for Mayor of the City of Jackson. Mayor Danks, a Democrat, had 16,483 votes to 11,945 for Doug Shanks, a Republican; Henry Kirksey, a State Senator, had 9,719 votes; and
WHEREAS, Doug was a member of the Provine High School Class of 1964. He is married to the former Kay Guest of Calhoun City, and they have four children and six grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, "What I'm most proud of," said Shanks, "I got a chance to see these kids get their degrees and become not only good athletes, but good people"; and
WHEREAS, Coach Shanks' tenure at Mississippi Valley was historical as one of Mississippi's first white coaches serving at an Historically Black University; and it is with great pride that we pay tribute to a wonderful example for public servants and coaches, with an outstanding record of achievement and legacy or leadership and dedication to his players and to all in Mississippi:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby recognize the legacy of leadership of Mississippi Valley State University Baseball Coach and former Jackson City Commissioner Doug Shanks on the occasion of his retirement, and extend our best wishes to Doug and his family on this occasion.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Doug Shanks, forwarded to the President of Mississippi Valley State University and the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.