Bill Text: MS SC542 | 2013 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Congratulate Ole Miss Quarterback "Bo" Wallace for winning 2012 C Spire Conerly Trophy.
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Republican 11-6)
Status: (Passed) 2013-02-19 - Enrolled Bill Signed [SC542 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2013-SC542-Enrolled.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2013 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Watson, McDaniel, Tollison, Hopson, Chassaniol, Burton, Brown, Fillingane, Parks, Butler (38th), Jackson (11th), Jackson (32nd), Lee, Parker, Simmons (12th), Stone, Kirby
Senate Concurrent Resolution 542
(As Adopted by Senate and House)
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI QUARTERBACK "BO" WALLACE FOR WINNING THE 2012 C SPIRE CONERLY TROPHY.
WHEREAS, University Mississippi quarterback "Bo" Wallace won the 2012 C Spire Conerly Trophy on November 27, 2012, at the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame. The four other finalists were Mississippi State cornerback Johnathan Banks, Southern Mississippi defensive end Jamie Collins, Delta State offensive lineman Kendall Hunter and Jackson State receiver Rico Richardson; and
WHEREAS, Bo Wallace was the backup quarterback at Arkansas State two years ago, and a bona fide SEC prospect when he was in high school at Giles County in Pulaski, Tennessee. Now he has been honored as the best college football player in Mississippi. Wallace received the trophy during a special awards program in Jackson at the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum from Master of Ceremonies Rick Cleveland, the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame Executive Director, and Jim Richmond, Vice President of Corporate Communications for C Spire Wireless, title sponsor of the award since 1998; and
WHEREAS, now in its 17th year, the Conerly Trophy presented by C Spire Wireless is named after the late Charlie Conerly, the only football inductee in the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame who was an All-American at a Mississippi university, an NFL Rookie of the Year and NFL All-Pro member and quarterbacked a team to a World Championship. Wallace, a sophomore from Pulaski, Tennessee, joins four other Ole Miss Rebels as former winners of the coveted award - quarterbacks Stewart Patridge (1997) and Eli Manning (2001 and 2003), running back Deuce McAllister (1999) and linebacker Patrick Willis (2006). Wallace started every game for Ole Miss this year, and his 3,206 total offensive yards make him only the second player in school history to eclipse 3,000 yards in a season behind Eli Manning, who reached that total twice during his Ole Miss career. Wallace's 8 rushing touchdowns are the most by a Rebel quarterback since Eli's father, Archie, in 1969; and
WHEREAS, Wallace was fantastic in the head-to-head matchup against Mississippi State's secondary in the Egg Bowl, throwing for 294 yards and five touchdowns in a 41-24 victory over the Bulldogs. Even Wallace was surprised he won, but said "it underscores just how important the Egg Bowl rivalry can be"; and
WHEREAS, the Conerly Trophy is voted on by 50 news media members throughout Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, the 6'4", 204-pound sophomore helped lead the Rebels to a 6-6 record this season, which was a huge improvement after a 2-10 year in 2011. He has thrown for 2,843 yards, 19 touchdowns and 15 interceptions this season. He has also rushed for 363 yards and team-leading eight touchdowns; and
WHEREAS, six weeks after closing out its regular season by defeating No. 24 Mississippi State to bring home the Egg Bowl Trophy for the first time since 2008, Ole Miss (7-6) ripped Pitt in the BBVA Compass Bowl on January 5, 2013, in Birmingham, Alabama (38-17). It was Ole Miss' first bowl appearance since topping Oklahoma State 21-7 in the 2010 AT&T Cotton Bowl. The 38 points scored by Ole Miss is a BBVA Compass Bowl record. Ole Miss sophomore quarterback Bo Wallace, the BBVA Compass Bowl MVP, finished the game 22-32 passing for 151 yards with 3 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. Wallace completed his eighth consecutive pass to start the game with a 27-yard touchdown pass to senior wide receiver Randall Mackey. Wallace completed his third touchdown pass of the game with an 18-yard strike to sophomore wide receiver Vince Sanders. The touchdown pass, Wallace's 22nd of the year, moved him up to fourth on the Ole Miss single-season list, surpassing Eli Manning's 2002 total of 21; and
WHEREAS, "It's something special," Wallace said. "Some people look at it as an individual award, but I think it's more of a team award. I know my teammates are really proud about this and I couldn't be prouder of them and I was very fortunate to play with them this season"; and
WHEREAS, with no playing time in sight at Arkansas State, Wallace transferred to East Mississippi Community College, where he led the team to a National Title in 2011. Then Hugh Freeze took the Head Coaching job at Ole Miss and recruited Wallace again. This time, he won the starting job and has flourished. With two years of eligibility remaining, Wallace could become just the second two-time Conerly Award winner. The other is another Ole Miss quarterback: Eli Manning. "I think next year we will have an opportunity to have a special season," Wallace said. "I am just glad to be a part of this"; and it is with great pride that we recognize this Mississippi athlete who has brought honor to his university, his community and to the State of Mississippi:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate University of Mississippi quarterback "Bo" Wallace for winning the 2012 C Spire Conerly Trophy, and we extend our best wishes to Bo and his family on this auspicious occasion.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Bo Wallace and forwarded to Coach Hugh Freeze and University of Mississippi Chancellor Dan Jones, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.
