MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2015 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Norwood, Frazier, Horhn, Simmons (12th), Jones, Butler (38th), Jackson (32nd), Jordan, Blount, Butler (36th), Chassaniol, Fillingane, Jackson (11th), Simmons (13th), Stone
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND COMMEND WILLIAM C. "W.C." GORDEN UPON HIS INDUCTION INTO THE BLACK COLLEGE FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME.
WHEREAS, William C. "W.C." Gorden, a legendary championship football coach for the Jackson State Tigers from 1976-1991, was recently honored by his induction into the Black College Football Hall of Fame. Coach Gorden gained fame and prominence as the Head Football Coach at NCAA Division I-AA Jackson State University from 1976 to 1991. During that span, he compiled a 119-48-5 career record, winning 71.9% of the games he coached. He is the winningest coach in Jackson State's history and one of the most successful coaches in Division I-AA history; and
WHEREAS, William C. Gorden began his coaching career in 1957 at Magnolia, Mississippi, where he served as Athletic Director and Head Football, Baseball, Basketball and Track Coach at the now defunct Eva Gordon High School; and
WHEREAS, in 1966, William C. Gorden departed Magnolia, Mississippi, and was named Head Football Coach and Athletic Director at Temple High School in Vicksburg, leading Temple to the prestigious Big 8 Conference State Football Crown in 1966 when his football team racked up a perfect 11-0 record; and
WHEREAS, William C. Gorden arrived at Jackson State University in 1971 when he was selected as Defensive Coordinator and Head Baseball Coach; and
WHEREAS, William C. Gorden was named Jackson State Head Football Coach in 1977 and remained in that position until his departure in 1991, leading his teams to eight SWAC titles and nine NCAA playoff appearances. William C. Gorden was named SWAC Coach of the Year six times, and 32 of his former players at Jackson State University have played pro football, 29 of whom were drafted by NFL teams; and
WHEREAS, under his guidance, Jackson State went on a phenomenal winning streak from 1985 to 1989 as the Blue Bengals set a SWAC record by winning 28 consecutive SWAC games. Coach Gorden's teams won eight or more games in 13 of the 15 seasons he coached the Jackson State University Tigers; and
WHEREAS, while coaching at Jackson State University, Coach Gorden taught health classes and is a published researcher and writer; and
WHEREAS, his vast list of community service work and memberships is incredible, including Boy Scouts of America; Phi Delta Kappa; American Association for Physical Educators; Charter Member of the Opera South Guild; Central United Methodist Church; Free Football Clinic in Prichard, Alabama; WLBT-TV Easter Seal Telethon; Summer Youth Program in Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Mississippi Mental Health Club; Jackson Noon Optimist Club; Volunteer Assistant in Partners for Education; Key Communicator for Jackson Public Schools; Jackson Touchdown Club; SWAC Alumni Association charter member and Chairman of the Constitution and Laws Committee; Board of Directors, Pearl River Valley Water Supply District; Enterprise Community Governance Structure Citizens Advisory Board; Jackson City Planning Board; Jackson-Hinds Comprehensive Health Center Central Mississippi;
Town Creek Tributary #4 Drainage Improvement for Georgetown Community; Chairman of the 1997 Transition Team Task Force on Parks and Recreation in the City of Jackson; board member, for the Algebra Project at Lanier High School; Chairman, Central United Methodist Church Courtesy Committee; lifetime member, Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Sports Foundation; volunteer for Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame Museum; Chairman of Committee for Dedication of the Health and Physical Education Complex at Lather High School; and board member of "Make a Wish" Foundation; and
WHEREAS, Gorden, a native of Nashville, Tennessee, is married to Vivian Howard Gorden and they have two sons and five grandchildren. Gorden's hobby is jazz music and he has an extensive and impressive collection of well over 5,000 albums; and
WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we pay tribute to a Mississippi sports icon who is an honorary Ambassador for 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 William C. "W.C." Gorden upon his induction into the Black College Football Hall of Fame.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Coach W.C. Gorden, forwarded to Dr. Carolyn W. Meyers, President of Jackson State University, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.