Bill Text: MS HR105 | 2014 | Regular Session | Engrossed
Bill Title: Coach Mike Lewis; commend on being inducted into Northeast MS Community College Sports Hall of Fame.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2014-04-02 - Enrolled Bill Signed [HR105 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2014-HR105-Engrossed.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2014 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Representative Horan
House Resolution 105
(As Adopted by House)
A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING COACH MIKE LEWIS ON BEING INDUCTED INTO THE NORTHEAST MISSISSIPPI COMMUNITY COLLEGE SPORTS HALL OF FAME.
WHEREAS, Mike Lewis, Head Coach of the Walnut High School Boys Basketball Team in the North Tippah School District, has continued the winning tradition that has come to be synonymous with his name by being inducted to the Northeast Mississippi Community College Sports Hall of Fame in 2013; and
WHEREAS, Coach Lewis, a collegiate baseball player who was one of the main members of the Northeast Mississippi Community College Tigers Team which won the Mississippi Community College Conference North Division Title before succumbing to Perkinston Community College in a one-game playoff in 1970, earned a bachelor's degree from Delta State University and a master's degree from the University of North Alabama; and
WHEREAS, while at Delta State, Mike Lewis continued his baseball career under the legendary Coach David "Boo" Ferris as a member of the 1972 Statesmen Team that finished second in the Gulf South Conference Tournament and defeated bigger NCAA Division I programs such as the University of Southern Mississippi and the University of Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, after moving from the baseball diamond to the basketball court, Coach Lewis established a reputation for winning on the hardwood early on while directing the basketball program at Alcorn Central High School, where he led the Golden Bears to a 112-55 record, one Division 1-3A title, a Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) Class 3A Championship and three Tombigbee Conference crowns; and
WHEREAS, as a high school basketball coach, in 1988, Mike Lewis was named the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal co-Coach of the Year and Coach of the Year by both The Clarion-Ledger and the Daily Corinthian; and
WHEREAS, in 1992, after directing the basketball programs at Biggersville High School and Water Valley High School in addition to his five years at Alcorn Central, Coach Lewis returned to Northeast Mississippi Community College to assume the head coaching position for the men's basketball team; and
WHEREAS, during his 12 years as Head Coach of the NEMCC Tigers, Coach Lewis continued the Booneville school's pattern of winning by compiling a remarkable record of 206-135, with highlights during his tenure including leading the 1994-1995 and 1999-2000 squads to the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) National Tournament in Hutchinson, Kansas, after winning the NJCAA Region 23 Tournament, as well as in 2000, winning the Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges (MACJC) North Division, the MACJC State Tournament and the NJCAA Region 23 Tournament; and
WHEREAS, with the Tigers winning four MACJC North Division Tournament titles and two MACJC State Tournament Championships in addition to traveling two times to the National Tournament under his outstanding direction, Coach Lewis was the deserving recipient of several awards as a community college coach, including his being named the Region 23 Coach of the Year; and
WHEREAS, having returned to the high school courts, Coach Lewis, now in his 41st year as a basketball coach and 28th year in high school basketball, is one of just four coaches in northeast Mississippi who can rightfully boast of having a record that includes over 1,000 victories; and
WHEREAS, in addition to the admiration he has earned for consistently leading his teams to win, Mike Lewis, an Alcorn County native who has been supported and encouraged both on and off the court by his wife, Shirley, and their two daughters, Lesley and Lana, is highly respected for the lessons that he endeavors to teach his players about life off the court, lessons which he feels God leads him to teach in order to prepare the young men on his teams to be responsible adults; and
WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to pay special recognition to outstanding Mississippians such as Coach Mike Lewis, an extraordinarily talented coach who has dedicated his lifelong career to guiding, inspiring and bettering the lives of young Mississippians, who are the future of our state:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Coach Mike Lewis on being inducted into the Northeast Mississippi Community College Sports Hall of Fame and extend best wishes for continued success in all of his professional and personal endeavors.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Coach Mike Lewis and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.
