Bill Text: MS SC620 | 2013 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Commend Hall of Fame Pearl High School Coach and Athletic Director Woody Barnett on occasion of his retirement.
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Passed) 2013-04-08 - Enrolled Bill Signed [SC620 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2013-SC620-Enrolled.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2013 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Kirby, Butler (38th)
Senate Concurrent Resolution 620
(As Adopted by Senate and House)
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION PAYING TRIBUTE TO LEGENDARY HALL OF FAME PEARL HIGH SCHOOL TRACK-AND-FIELD COACH AND ATHLETIC DIRECTOR WOODY BARNETT ON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT.
WHEREAS, in his 36 years with the Pearl Public School District, Athletic Director and Head Track and Cross-Country Coach Woody Barnett has compiled a remarkable record of achievement. That will end in June 2013 when Barnett retires; and
WHEREAS, during his tenure coaching track and cross-country, Barnett's teams won 43 State Championships and during his tenure as Athletic Director, major upgrades were made to many of the district's athletic facilities, making them state-of-the-art facilities some of which are used for statewide competition. Major upgrades were made to the baseball and softball fields, an artificial surface was installed on the football field, and tennis courts and a track were built at the high school. The Mississippi High School Activities Association uses the Pearl High School track to hold the State Track Meets; and
WHEREAS, when Barnett completed his Master's Degree at Mississippi College in 1977, he accepted a job as a teacher-coach in Pearl, Mississippi, and began his career in the school district where he ultimately served for his entire career; and
WHEREAS, on the personal level, the Mississippi Association of Coaches named Barnett the Mississippi Track or Cross-Country Coach of the Year 11 times and inducted him into its Hall of Fame in 2008. The National Federation of High School Coaches Association named him National Boys Cross-Country Coach of the Year in 2004. In 2012, the Pearl Chamber of Commerce selected him as its Pillar of the Community in recognition of positive influence he has been on Pearl children who went through his programs. The Mississippi Athletic Directors Association chose him as its Athletic Director of the Year in 2012; and
WHEREAS, a smooth transition after his retirement has been insured as his son, Chris Barnett, was hired last year by the Pearl Public School District Board of Trustees to take over the Boys Cross-Country and Track Teams; George Kersh was made Head Coach of the Girls Cross-Country and Track Teams; and when the current school year ends, Assistant Principal Richard Smithhart will take over as Athletic Director; and
WHEREAS, he plans to remain involved in cross-country and track by serving as Meet Manager for the Mississippi High School Activities Association at its State Meets and he will also be Meet Manager when Pearl hosts regular season meets; and
WHEREAS, Woody Barnett is thankful to God for steering him to Pearl and having a hand in everything he has accomplished, and he considers himself to be very blessed; and
WHEREAS, Coach Barnett and his wife, Kathy, have two sons: Chris and Kevin, both who teach and coach. In the past 36 years, Woody Barnett has spent long hours after school and on weekends coaching his athletes, hosting meets at Pearl, and taking teams to out-of-state meets so the Pearl athletes could see how they measured against the best; and
WHEREAS, coaches are some of the most influential people in children's lives, whether it be in a recreational league or at the high school level; and it is with great pride that we recognize this legendary coach whose positive personality and character have molded the lives of so many citizens in his community and in 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 pay tribute to legendary Hall of Fame Pearl High School Track and Field Coach and Athletic Director Woody Barnett on the occasion of his retirement.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Coach Woody Barnett, forwarded to the Pearl Public School Board, and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.
