House Resolution 10

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING COACH JAN SOJOURNER FOR HER EXTRAORDINARY COACHING CAREER.

WHEREAS, Coach Jan Sojourner, Head Varsity Girls Basketball Coach at Jackson Academy, has had an extraordinary coaching career that has spanned over thirty years, a true testament to her love of coaching and dedication to her team; and

WHEREAS, a native of Crystal Springs, Mississippi, Coach Sojourner graduated from Copiah Academy in 1971, and received her bachelor's degree from Mississippi College in 1975, and while there, she played on the runner-up national championship basketball team; and

WHEREAS, after graduating college, Coach Sojourner began her coaching career at Canton Academy in 1976, serving as the head basketball and track coach for five years, and from there she joined Brandon High School for three years, and from 1985 until 1986, she completed post graduate work at Auburn University, serving as a graduate assistant for the Auburn women's basketball program; and

WHEREAS, in 1986, Coach Sojourner began her distinguished tenure at Jackson Academy, and throughout her service, she has led the Raiders to six MAIS Overall State Championships, nine MAIS State Championships, and thirteen MAIS District Championships; and

WHEREAS, Coach Sojourner was named The Clarion-Ledger Metro Coach of the Year three times and The Clarion-Ledger State Coach of the Year twice, and she was inducted into the first class of the MAIS Sports Hall of Fame in 2002; and

WHEREAS, in 2022, Jackson Academy's newly refurbished basketball gym court was named the Jan Sojourner Court, a well-deserved honor for Coach Sojourner, acknowledging her illustrious Jackson Academy career of 37 years in which she has mentored and coached numerous students, resulting in 1,000-plus wins, making her one of only three basketball coaches in Mississippi to reach this 1,000-plus win achievement; and

WHEREAS, Coach Sojourner is an outstanding example of a coach that is committed to her team and profession, and she has served as a positive influence and has been an inspiration for many young athletes; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize exceptional Mississippi coaches, especially those such as Coach Jan Sojourner, whose dedication to athletic excellence brings honor to Jackson Academy and to the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend Coach Jan Sojourner for her extraordinary coaching career, 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 Coach Jan Sojourner, and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.