MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2022 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Harkins, Younger, Williams, Michel, DeBar, Fillingane, Hill, Moran, Caughman, Boyd, Turner-Ford, England, Thompson, Suber, Hickman, McCaughn, Branning, Blount, Sparks, Frazier, Hopson, Horhn, McDaniel, Norwood, Simmons (13th), Thomas
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION CONGRATULATING THE MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY "BULLDOGS" BASEBALL TEAM AND HEAD COACH CHRIS LEMONIS ON WINNING THE 2021 NATIONAL COLLEGIATE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION DIVISION I BASEBALL CHAMPIONSHIP.
WHEREAS, the baseball game began with a championship title riding on it and ended as a wild, maroon and white celebration. After 129 years of playing high-quality college baseball, Mississippi State University (MSU) claimed its first National Championship in any team sport. The Diamond Dogs slammed defending National Champion Vanderbilt 9-0, while more than 20,000 "Bulldog" fans roared their approval; and
WHEREAS, on June 30, 2021, the Mississippi State University "Bulldogs" Baseball Team won the 2021 National Collegiate Athletic Association College World Series at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Nebraska; and
WHEREAS, by defeating Vanderbilt University 9-0, the Mississippi State University Baseball Team became the first team in Mississippi State University history to win an NCAA National Championship, wrapping it in maroon and white; and
WHEREAS, the Mississippi State University baseball team has appeared in three consecutive NCAA College World Series, totaling 12 appearances in school history; and
WHEREAS, on June 20, 2021, the Mississippi State University baseball team recorded 21 strikeouts, which set an NCAA College World Series single-game team record; and
WHEREAS, Will Bednar was named the 2021 NCAA College World Series Most Outstanding Player; and
WHEREAS, catcher Logan Tanner, first baseman Luke Hancock, shortstop Lane Forsythe, outfielders Tanner Allen and Rowdey Jordan, and pitcher Will Bednar were named to the 2021 NCAA College World Series All-Tournament Team; and
WHEREAS, Tanner Allen was named the 2021 Southeastern Conference Player of the Year and the 2021 American Baseball Coaches and Rawlings Sporting Goods National Player of Year; and
WHEREAS, Head Coach Chris Lemonis was named the 2021 National Coach of the Year by Collegiate Baseball Newspaper; and
WHEREAS, Chris Lemonis is the first Division I Head Coach to reach the NCAA College World Series in his first two seasons as head coach of a program in the Super Regional era and the fifth all-time in NCAA history; and
WHEREAS, Dudy Noble Field at Polk-DeMent Stadium on the campus of Mississippi State University holds the NCAA Division I baseball on-campus attendance record and regularly attracts record crowds; and
WHEREAS, the Mississippi State University baseball team under the leadership of Head Coach Chris Lemonis displayed outstanding dedication, teamwork and sportsmanship throughout the 2020–2021 season; and
WHEREAS, the members of the 2021 National Collegiate Baseball Championship Team are: K.C. Hunt, Scotty Dubrule, Rowdey Jordan, Tanner Allen, Kamren James, Brandon Smith, Drew McGowan, Josh Hatcher, Kellum Clark, Davis Meche, Davis Rokose, Riley Self, Cade Smith, Stone Simmons, Chase Patrick, Logan Tanner, Luke Hancock, Landon Sims, Will Bednar, Kyte McDonald, Xavier Lovett, Jackson Fristoe, Christian MacLeod, Carlisle Koestler, Tanner Leggett, Parker Stinnett, Brad Cumbest, Preston Johnson, Brayland Skinner, Eric Cerantola, Mikey Tepper, Lane Forsythe, Kace Garner, Cam Tullar, Drew Talley, Houston Harding, Brandon Pimentel and Dylan Carmouche; Head Coach, Chris Lemonis; Assistant Coaches, Scott Foxhall and Jake Gautreau; Volunteer Assistant/Camps Coordinator, Kyle Cheesebrough; Coordinator of Operations, Roger Rodeheaver; and Coordinator of Player Development, Tyler Younger; and
WHEREAS, the Mississippi State University Baseball Team has brought great pride and honor to Mississippi State University,
loyal fans of Mississippi State University, and to the entire 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 congratulate the Mississippi State University "Bulldogs" Baseball Team and Head Coach Chris Lemonis, including the athletes, coaching staff, administration, faculty, students and alumni, on winning the 2021 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Baseball Championship.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That we do hereby recognize Mississippi State University for its excellence as an institution of higher education.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the President of Mississippi State University, Dr. Mark Keenum,
the Athletic Director of Mississippi State University, John Cohen, the Head Coach of the Mississippi State University Baseball Team, Chris Lemonis, the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.