MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2017 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Harkins, Browning, Carmichael, Caughman, Clarke, Dearing, DeBar, Jackson (11th), Jolly, Jackson (32nd)
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE OUTSTANDING CAREER OF VETERAN MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY "BULLDOG" SPORTSCASTER JIM ELLIS ON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT.
WHEREAS, Mississippi State Athletic Multimedia Manager Learfield has announced that Mississippi State University (MSU) Alum and Veteran Broadcaster Jim Ellis will be retiring from calling football and men's basketball at the conclusion of the 2017 basketball season. Ellis, an integral member of the Bulldogs' Broadcast Team for nearly 40 years, will continue his role with baseball as "Voice of the Diamond Dogs"; and
WHEREAS, Ellis, a native of West Point, Mississippi, and a 1969 graduate of Mississippi State, 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. In addition to calling baseball, he had been serving as the weekly call-in show host for all three sports and hosting the weekly coaches' television shows; and
WHEREAS, in 1998, 2002, 2013 and 2014, Ellis was named "Outstanding Broadcaster in Mississippi" by National Sports Media Association (NSMA) while representing Bulldog Sports Network and Learfield's Bulldog Sports Properties; and
WHEREAS, since 1983, Ellis has been a part of MSU's Basketball Broadcast Team, including the Bulldogs' memorable 1996 NCAA Final Four run. He became a Radio Analyst for MSU football in 1991, before taking over the play-by-play duties in 2011. Ellis was on call for the memorable 2014 Bulldog football season that saw the program rise to the No. 1 ranking for the first time in history; and
WHEREAS, "For over 30 years, our Bulldog faithfuls have listened to Jim's familiar voice," MSU Director of Athletics John Cohen said. "From his days as an Analyst to current play-by-play broadcaster, he's had a front row seat to tell the story of some of the greatest moments in Bulldog history. Jim has been a true professional behind the microphone and represented Mississippi State with class and dignity. We are thankful to his service, and we are glad he will continue to be the voice to many Diamond Dawg baseball memories in the future"; and
WHEREAS, "I consider it a privilege to have served Mississippi State, a university I love, as a part of the Radio Sports Broadcasts for over 30 years," Ellis said. "Many thanks to the many coaches, players and administrators who have made it a joy to bring the Maroon and White story to the Bulldog faithful. I also want to thank the many MSU fans who have followed their Bulldogs over the radio broadcasts over the years. Little did I know that when Ron Polk gave me the ringing endorsement in 1979 of 'he'll do' after hearing a tape of high school games that I called, that 39 years later I would still be here. A special thanks to Athletic Director Larry Templeton, who expanded my role on the broadcasts, to Scott Stricklin, who allowed me to be the play-by-play voice of the Bulldogs for the past six years, and to John Cohen, as I continue broadcasting MSU baseball. None of this would have been possible without Jack Cristil, who allowed a young broadcaster into his booth, befriended him, mentored him and allowed him to work at his side for over 30 years. I look forward to being a huge fan of all MSU sports teams"; and
WHEREAS, Jim Ellis will continue to be a part of the fabric of Mississippi State University with his legendary voice and lifelong affinity to the Bulldogs. He has been a special part of the university, and we thank him for lending his talents to calling so many memorable moments for these programs over the years:
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 outstanding career of veteran Mississippi State University "Bulldog" Sportscaster Jim Ellis on the occasion of his retirement.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Jim Ellis, forwarded to Mississippi State University President Mark Keenum and the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.