Bill Text: MS HC53 | 2026 | Regular Session | Enrolled

Mississippi House Concurrent Resolution 53

Bill Title: Northwest Mississippi Community College Women's Soccer Team; commend on winning back-to-back national championships and earning highest team GPA.

Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Republican 1)

Status: (Passed) 2026-03-26 - Enrolled Bill Signed [HC53 Detail]

Download: Mississippi-2026-HC53-Enrolled.html

MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2026 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Representative Lamar

House Concurrent Resolution 53

(As Adopted by House and Senate)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE NORTHWEST MISSISSIPPI COMMUNITY COLLEGE RANGERS WOMEN'S SOCCER TEAM FOR CAPTURING BACK-TO-BACK NATIONAL JUNIOR COLLEGE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION (NJCAA) CHAMPIONSHIPS AND EARNING THE HIGHEST TEAM GPA IN THE NATION.

WHEREAS, the Northwest Mississippi Community College Rangers Women's Soccer Team achieved extraordinary distinction during the 2025 season by capturing its second consecutive National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division II National Championship, establishing the team as one of the premier collegiate soccer programs in the nation; and

WHEREAS, the Rangers completed the 2025 season with an outstanding overall record of 21 wins, one loss and one draw, demonstrating sustained excellence, resilience and competitive dominance throughout regular season play, conference competition, regional tournaments and national postseason play; and

WHEREAS, Northwest Mississippi Community College became the only NJCAA Division II women's soccer program to win back-to-back national championships since the division's inception, further solidifying the program's place in national collegiate athletic history; and

WHEREAS, the Rangers also captured their third consecutive Region 23 Championship, advanced to the NJCAA National Tournament for the fourth straight season, and reached the national championship match for the second consecutive year, underscoring a standard of consistent excellence rarely achieved at the collegiate level; and

WHEREAS, in addition to their athletic success, the Northwest Mississippi Community College Women's Soccer Team distinguished itself in the classroom by earning the highest team grade point average in the nation, exemplifying the ideal of the true student-athlete and proving that academic excellence and athletic achievement can and do coexist; and

WHEREAS, the Rangers' academic accomplishments reflect a culture of discipline, accountability and commitment to educational success, supported by dedicated faculty, academic advisors, athletic trainers and institutional leadership; and

WHEREAS, Head Coach James Beattie, along with his coaching staff, have provided exceptional leadership, mentorship and vision, guiding the program to sustained national prominence while emphasizing character, teamwork and academic responsibility and earning numerous coaching honors as a result; and

WHEREAS, the success of the Rangers Women's Soccer Team brings great pride to Northwest Mississippi Community College, its students, alumni and supporters and serves as a powerful example of the positive impact Mississippi's community colleges have on workforce preparation, leadership development and national recognition; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to recognize the accomplishments of talented student-athletes such as the Northwest Mississippi Community College Rangers Women's Soccer Team, whose accomplishments reflect favorably on the State of Mississippi and demonstrate that Mississippi institutions can not only compete, but excel at the highest levels, both academically and athletically:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the Northwest Mississippi Community College Rangers Women's Soccer Team on winning back-to-back National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division II National Championships and for earning the highest team GPA in the nation and recognize the players, coaches, staff and administrators whose dedication and excellence made these achievements possible.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That we do hereby extend to the members of the Northwest Mississippi Community College Rangers Women's Soccer Team sincerest wishes for continued success in all their future academic and athletic endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the administration of Northwest Mississippi Community College and made available to the members and coaching staff of the Rangers Women's Soccer Team and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.