Senate Concurrent Resolution 646

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION MOURNING THE LOSS OF FORMER JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY AND HATTIESBURG HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL STANDOUT AND NBA STAR EUGENE (GENE) SHORT, JR., OF HATTIESBURG, MISSISSIPPI.

WHEREAS, Eugene Short, one of the best basketball players in Hattiesburg High School history, passed away on March 17, 2016. Short was 62 years old. The 6'6" Short, along with his younger brother, Purvis, helped lead Hattiesburg High School to the school's first State Championship in the 1972-1973 season; and

WHEREAS, Short was a 3-time, All-American and All-SWAC player at Jackson State University and entered the NBA in 1975; and

WHEREAS, Short was selected 9th Overall by the NBA's New York Knicks in the 1975 NBA Draft. In the previous year he was selected by the American Basketball Association's San Antonio Spurs in the fifth round of the 1974 ABA Draft; and

WHEREAS, he played for the United States National Team in the 1974 FIBA World Championship, winning the Bronze Medal. He played for the Seattle SuperSonics and New York Knicks (1975—1976) in the NBA for 34 games; and

WHEREAS, Eugene was preceded in death by his parents. He leaves to cherish his memories to his sister, Eva Short Woods; brother, Purvis Short (Sandra); godsons, Romerio, Rashard and Romario Barnes; nephews, Derrick and Devon (Mercedes) Short; great-niece, Asia Short; aunts, Savannah Triplet, Sebelle Reeves and Myrtle Short; and cousin, Mary Lee Brown; and a host of cousins, family and friends; and

WHEREAS, it is with sadness that we note the passing of a Mississippi citizen who leaves a sports legacy which honors his high school, his university, his community and 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 mourn the loss and commend the life and legacy of public service of NBA Star Eugene (Gene) Short, Jr., and express to his family the sympathy of the Legislature on his passing.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the surviving family of Eugene (Gene) Short, Jr., forwarded to the Principal of Hattiesburg High School and the President of Jackson State University, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.