Senate Resolution 87

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING MISSISSIPPI UNIVERSITY FOR WOMEN BASKETBALL PLAYER CONLEY LANGFORD UPON BEING RECOGNIZED AS 2022-2023 "STUDENT ATHLETE OF THE YEAR" PRESENTED BY THE UNITED STATES COLLEGIATE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION (USCAA), THE FIRST PLAYER IN MUW'S HISTORY TO RECEIVE THIS PRESTIGIOUS AWARD.

WHEREAS, on March, 12, 2023, Mississippi University for Women Women's Basketball Player Conley Langford earned the Top 2022-2023 Post-Season Honor, "Student-Athlete of the Year," presented by the United States Collegiate Athletic Association at the Awards Ceremony & Skills Competition; and

WHEREAS, the USCAA Student-Athlete of the Year considers academic success, campus and community involvement, along with athletic accomplishments; and

WHEREAS, the Owls' Sophomore sensation from Calhoun City High School, Calhoun City, Mississippi, scored high in all three core areas, as she became the first-ever player to win the award in the MUW program's five-year history; and

WHEREAS, "Conley checked off all of the boxes for the ideal Student-Athlete of the Year," MUW Head Coach Drew Johnson said beaming, after learning of Langford's selection. "She's a 4.0 student in the classroom, a highly involved individual on campus and in the community, a team leader, as well as a player who appeared in the USCAA's Top 10 in no less than seven categories, and as good of a player as she is, she's an even better person"; and

WHEREAS, Conley Langford was a key reason the Owls' team had the third-best grade point average (3.43) among all of the MUW athletic teams during the fall term, as she carried a perfect 4.0 during the term, and she has had a 4.0 GPA in every term of her college career. Langford was also a USCAA All-Academic Team Honoree for 2022-2023 and recognized on The W Athletic Director's Honor Roll last fall; and

WHEREAS, Langford's "balance" is further demonstrated by a long list of volunteerism and involvement that even predates her time at The W. While at MUW, she has given her time at the Diabetes Walk for a Cure for the City of Columbus, helped staff the school's volleyball home contests on the gameday crew, was a clinician at her team's Elite Camp, has been a donor for Mississippi blood drives, and helped fundraise for MUW women's basketball by staffing concessions at Mississippi State University football games; and

WHEREAS, in her hometown, she is just as involved. For the past five years, Langford has volunteered at the Dog Lover's League No-Kill Shelter. She is a volunteer coach in both basketball and softball for no less than three different high schools (her own alma mater, plus two other schools where former coaches of hers now work). She also volunteers with Operation Christmas each year via her home church; and

WHEREAS, while at Northwest Mississippi Community College, where she played her first season, Langford was a new student tour guide, as well as a peer tutor. Even during her time in high school and elementary school, she coordinated students for Operation Angel Tree donations; and

WHEREAS, on the court, Langford was twice named USCAA Player of the Week in 2022-2023 and averaged a double-double of 17.9 points and 10.4 rebounds per game for the season (one of just three USCAA players to do so). She is the only USCAA player in the top 10 in scoring, rebounding and three-point field goals made. She tallied in double-digit scoring in 15 of 18 games; had double-figure rebounds in 10 of 18 games; had one or more three-point field goals in 17 of 18 games, and had five-plus field goals made in 14 of 18 games. In USCAA stats, she ranked No. 3 in scoring, No. 7 in rebounds, No. 3 in 3FG made, No. 1 in 3FG attempted and No. 6 in total field goals made. Coach Johnson stated, "Conley is by far one of the hardest-working players I have ever coached. Conley simply did all that was asked of her with quiet dignity and max effort"; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we join the MUW Faculty and Athletic Department in recognizing an outstanding university athlete who has brought honor to her school, her community and to the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Mississippi University for Women Basketball Player Conley Langford upon being recognized as 2022-2023 "Student Athlete of the Year" presented by the United States Collegiate Athletic Association the first player in MUW's history to receive this prestigious award, and extend to Conley and her family our best wishes for future academic and professional success.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Conley Langford and her family, forwarded to Coach Drew Johnson and MUW President Nora Roberts Miller and the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.