House Resolution 15

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING COACH TOMEKIA REED FOR HER MANY ACCOMPLISHMENTS AS THE HEAD COACH OF THE JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM.

WHEREAS, Jackson State University Head Women's Basketball Coach, Tomekia Reed, has realized unprecedented success as the women's basketball coach for the Tigers, and through her immense leadership ability and natural flair for greatness, Coach Reed has procured numerous winning records, as her professionalism and passion for the game are a testament of the true value that she not only provides to her Lady Tigers but to the game of basketball overall; and

WHEREAS, a native of Jackson, Mississippi, Coach Reed began her successful collegiate basketball career as a Golden Eagle at the University of Southern Mississippi, where she helped lead the program to a Women's National Invitation Tournament (WNIT) appearance before transferring to Hinds Community College for the 2000-2001 season; and

WHEREAS, during her tenure at Hinds Community College, Coach Reed not only led the Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges (MACJC) in rebounds per game and was ranked second in conference scoring, but she was also chosen as an All-State first-team selection; and

WHEREAS, Coach Reed earned her associate's degree in sports medicine from Hinds Community College in 2001 and transferred to Georgia Southwestern State University, where she led the team in scoring, finished second in the conference in scoring, earned the team's most valuable player award, and graduated with a bachelor's degree in exercise science; and

WHEREAS, due to her stellar performance on the court and her unbelievable understanding of the game, Coach Reed embarked upon her illustrious coaching journey at South Georgia Technical College, where she served as the assistant women's basketball coach for three seasons and also recruited and signed two of Georgia's top athletes and one of Mississippi's finest Dandy Dozen players; and

WHEREAS, prior to landing at Jackson State, Coach Reed had assistant coaching stops at Southern Miss, Louisiana Tech, Louisiana-Lafayette and New Orleans, where she was not only the assistant coach but also the recruiting coordinator and brought in several high-ranking recruiting classes to each school; and

WHEREAS, before being named the head coach of the women's basketball team at Jackson State University, Coach Reed was the recruiting coordinator for the Tigers from 2006 until 2009, and she has also served as the top assistant, worked with post players and served as the team's academic liaison as well as other responsibilities including strength and conditioning, player development, community service coordinator and summer basketball camp coordinator; and

WHEREAS, the Jackson State Lady Tigers benefitted tremendously from the talent of Coach Reed during her assistant coaching days, as they claimed the SWAC regular-season championship and made a WNIT appearance in the 2006-2007 season and captured the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Tournament championship and made an appearance at the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Tournament the very next season; and

WHEREAS, as the Head Women's Basketball Coach of the Jackson State University Tigers, Coach Reed has led the team to its first SWAC regular-season championship in over ten years and established the foundation for continued success; and

WHEREAS, the focused, resolute and detail-oriented Coach Reed inspires each of her players with her determination, ambition and intellect, and her elite status as a basketball coach was truly exhibited when she was named the 2019-2020 SWAC Coach of the Year; and

WHEREAS, for the past two years, Coach Reed's encouragement and positive influence on each player has exponentially advanced the Jackson State University Women's Basketball Team, and the players genuinely revel in the time and effort she dedicates to making each of them better than they were the day before, as they can absolutely feel the care for their overall well-being and the faith in their unique abilities that she possesses for each one of them; and

WHEREAS, Coach Reed has transformed each of her players into the championship caliber athletes they are today, broadened their knowledge of the game, refined their skills in execution and equipped each of them to realize their full potential and reach their goals; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize and honor the selflessness and benevolence of fine Mississippi educators, especially those such as Coach Tomekia Reed, an exhilarating combination of proficient basketball expertise and sincerity who radiates excellence and inspires all those who have the opportunity to learn and flourish under her tutelage to be better than the day before:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Coach Tomekia Reed for her many accomplishments as the Head Coach of the Jackson State University Women's Basketball Team, and extend best wishes for continued success in all of her future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Head Coach Tomekia Reed and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.