MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2017 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Representatives Roberson, Aguirre, Arnold, Barnett, Beckett, Bell (21st), Bennett, Bounds, Boyd, Brown, Byrd, Carpenter, Chism, Corley, Criswell, Currie, DeLano, Dixon, Ellis, Eure, Formby, Gibbs (36th), Gunn, Holland, Holloway, Hood, Hopkins, Horan, Huddleston (15th), Jackson, Lamar, McLeod, Moore, Oliver, Patterson, Pigott, Powell, Read, Rogers (61st), Sanford, Smith, Snowden, Steverson, Sykes, Touchstone, Tullos, Weathersby, Wilson, Zuber
A RESOLUTION COMMENDING JIM ELLIS UPON HIS RETIREMENT FROM CALLING MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY FOOTBALL AND MEN'S BASKETBALL GAMES, AND EXTENDING BEST WISHES FOR CONTINUED SUCCESS IN CALLING MSU BASEBALL GAMES.
WHEREAS, after beginning his broadcasting career with Mississippi State University in 1979, Jim Ellis is semi-retiring from his profession, as he is stepping away from broadcasting the Bulldogs football and men's basketball games but will continue to call MSU baseball games, the job that he was originally hired for; and
WHEREAS, the move to a lighter schedule had been in the works for a few years now, and although he will of course miss calling all three sports, the new schedule will allow him to spend more time with his wife and seven grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, a native of West Point and a 1969 graduate of Mississippi State, Mr. Ellis assumed the play-by-play role for football and men's basketball at the start of the 2011-2012 athletic season following the retirement of legendary voice Jack Cristil; and
WHEREAS, after Cristil's retirement, Ellis could have tried to imitate his predecessor's style, but Ellis kept true to his authentic, deliberate, detailed and straight-forward approach that resonates with Bulldog fans; and
WHEREAS, in recognition of his truly remarkable talent for broadcasting, Ellis was named "Outstanding Broadcaster in Mississippi" by the National Sports Media Association on four occasions, 1998, 2002, 2013 and 2014; and
WHEREAS, although Bulldog fans will be hearing less of Ellis' impeccable calling, they will still hear him every time they tune into a baseball game, as he has no plans on stepping away from the baseball booth anytime soon; and
WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize the great voices of our state's athletic powerhouses, such as Jim Ellis, whose retirement from calling Bulldogs football and men's basketball games will leave a void that will not be easily replaced:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend the career of Jim Ellis upon his retirement from calling football and men's basketball games for Mississippi State University, and extend best wishes for continued success calling MSU baseball games.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Jim Ellis, Mississippi State University Athletic Director John Cohen and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.