Bill Text: MS HC58 | 2016 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Alcorn State University Football Team; commend and congratulate upon winning the 2015 SWAC championship.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 16-0)
Status: (Passed) 2016-02-24 - Enrolled Bill Signed [HC58 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2016-HC58-Enrolled.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2016 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Representatives Holloway, Middleton, Clarke, Denton, Gibbs, Mickens, Miles, Paden, Wooten, Campbell, Scott, Sykes, Clark, Huddleston (30th), Bell (65th), Karriem
House Concurrent Resolution 58
(As Adopted by House and Senate)
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY FOOTBALL TEAM FOR THEIR 2015 SOUTHWESTERN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP AND INAUGURAL CELEBRATION BOWL APPEARANCE.
WHEREAS, before a record setting crowd of 40,352 cheering fans, on December 5, 2015, the Alcorn State University Braves prevailed over the Grambling State Tigers, outscoring the Tigers 49-21, to win their second consecutive Southwestern Athletic Conference Football Championship; and
WHEREAS, en route to their second consecutive conference championship, the Braves' offense surpassed all others, setting conference records in: total yards of offense, with 613 total yards, total rushing yards, with 411 yards and total points scored, scoring 49 points; and
WHEREAS, the result of an outstanding performance, Darryan Ragsdale was named offensive most valuable player after setting a conference record with 188 yards rushing and a touchdown to his credit, Ragsdale's incomparable performance set a tone of excellence for his fellow teammates on offense; and
WHEREAS, prior to the game, former Braves coach, Mr. Marino Casem, winner of multiple championships at Alcorn State, spoke to the team, the players called his speech "unbelievable," Mr. Casem's message to the Braves was simple but poignant, telling them "just to finish"; and
WHEREAS, the Braves' defense finished what the offense started, allowing just 317 yards of total offense and three scores, Warren Gatewood led the defense and earned the honor of defensive most valuable player, intercepting a conference record three passes and returning one for a Braves' touchdown, Gatewood's performance helped the Braves establish and defend a significant lead throughout the second half of play; and
WHEREAS, the success, fortitude and prowess exemplified in the Southwestern Athletic Conference Championship (SWAC) berthed the Alcorn State Braves a bowl presence as the team went on to represent the State of Mississippi and the Southwestern Athletic Conference in the inaugural Celebration Bowl, hosted in Atlanta, Georgia, on December 19, 2015; and
WHEREAS, the Celebration Bowl featured two champions of historically black Division-1 conferences, the Southwestern Athletic Conference and the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, represented by North Carolina A&T, while the game was close until the end, North Carolina A&T relied on several big plays to keep the game just out of reach for the Braves despite their outstanding effort; and
WHEREAS, the 2015 Braves Southwestern Athletic Conference Championship roster is: Deago Sama, Joe Price, John Gibbs, Jr., Charles Hughes, Tollette George, Tavares Johnson Jr., Jordan Payne, Jarvis Turner, Marquis Warford, Jaborian McKenzie, Brandon Vessell, Noah Johnson, Deundre Pickett-White, Ben Brooks, Haiden McCraney, Lenorris Footman, LaShaun Ealey, Anthony Williams Jr., A.J. Bruce, Quinton Cantue, Darryan Ragsdale, D'Andre Smith, Warren Gatewood, Eric Foster, Quintin Smith, Daniel Franklin, Kylan Johnson, Jeremiah Sams, Darius Dean, Christian Brown, Stacey Garner, Damon Watkins, De'Lance Turner, Ashton Hall, Arron Baker, Terry Whittington, Demetrious Whitehead, Trae Ferrell, Evan Grimes, Josh Ivery, Darien Anderson, Jayron Harness, Michael Lester, Michael Hurns, Terrell Williams, Solomon Muhammad, Ramonte Bell, Darrell Henderson, Dwayne King, Jr., Julius Lawrence, Darien Moody, Chris Matthews, Davonte Hill, Ferderrick Ross, Theron Bonds, Pablo Williams, Jr., Iskeli Ongosia, Toto'a Leilua, Detonio Dade, Deonte Brooks, Johnathan Scott, Jeffery Reno Jr., Ladonn Bolden, Chris McCrea, Eric Snow, Edrick Thigpen, William Gordon, Issac Sampson, Corbin Johnson, Raidarious Anderson, Stephen Glover, LaDarrien Davis, Jalen Walker, Norlando Veals, Troy Hobbs, Jr., Brandon Campbell, Lamarvin Ashley, Metise Moore, Kenyon Brantley, Antonio Wells, Michael Ajumobi, Bryce Mingo-Bradley, Michael Brooks, Jr., Johnathon Hauer, Jaquaveon Bolles, Deion McNair, Ramone Atkins, MyShawn Smith; and
WHEREAS, coached by: Jay Hopson, head football coach; Fred Kaiss, offensive coordinator; Tony Pecoraro, defensive coordinator; Fred McNair, assistant head coach/quarterbacks coach; Cedric Thomas, defensive backs coach; Wes Turner, linebackers coach/videographer/football operations; Derek Nicholson, defensive line coach; Shannon Harris, wide receivers coach; Ryan Stanchek, offensive line coach; A.J. Antonescu, tight ends coach; Kenry Tolbert, graduate assistant/defensive line; William Prince, equipment manager/strength and conditioning coach; and Roderick Young, head athletic trainer; and
WHEREAS, the 2015 Alcorn State University Braves Football Team finished the season, ranked second overall amongst Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and led their conference in scoring defense, total defense, pass defense, passing efficiency, sacks, third down conversions, rushing, first downs and kickoff returns; and
WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to commend and recognize the outstanding achievement of teams, like the 2015 Alcorn State University Braves, which aside from demonstrating dominance on the field, also serve as leaders of their school and community, and have brought honor to their school, their community and to the State of Mississippi:
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 Alcorn State University Football Team, Head Coach Mr. Jay Hopson and the entire coaching staff upon their remarkable season and winning the Southwestern Athletic Conference Championship for the second consecutive season, and extend to the team and coaches, best wishes for continued success in all their future athletic and academic endeavors.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Head Coach Jay Hopson, Director of Intercollegiate Athletics, Mr. Derek Horne and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.
