A house RESOLUTION

TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR jan McDonald, Director of Athletics at North Greenville University, UPON THE OCCASION OF HER RETIREMENT AFTER more than four decades OF OUTSTANDING SERVICE and leadership, AND TO WISH HER CONTINUED SUCCESS AND HAPPINESS IN ALL HER FUTURE ENDEAVORS.

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives has learned that Jan McDonald will begin a well-deserved retirement on May 31, 2024, after forty-one years as a distinguished coach and instructor, nearly three decades of which have been as the highly regarded director of athletics at North Greenville University; and

Whereas, a native of Fountain Inn, Ms. McDonald earned a bachelor's degree in physical education from Erskine College and a master's degree in health and exercise science from Furman University; and

Whereas, she joined the school in 1983 as an assistant and began North Greenville's softball program in 1985 and led that program for eighteen years.  Over her career in Tigerville, she has taught an array of courses, served as an assistant volleyball and basketball coach, and started the women's soccer program in 1986; and

Whereas, as director of athletics, Ms. McDonald guided North Greenville through transitions from junior college competition to the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA), and into the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II; and

Whereas, today the university fields twenty teams for varsity sports and is a member of Conference Carolinas, with its football program transitioning over the next two seasons from the Gulf South Conference to Conference Carolinas; and

Whereas. in 2016, the university's softball field was named in Ms. McDonald's honor, and under her  leadership as director of athletics, North Greenville has constructed or renovated all of its athletics facilities; and

Whereas, during her tenure, the university won an NCAA Division II national championship in baseball in June 2022 and two National Christian College Athletic Association national championships in football, one in 2010 and another in 2014; and

Whereas, Ms. McDonald's commitment to the university's mission and her passion for coaching young people in a Christ-centered community has benefitted the university and her student-athletes immensely over the past four decades; and

Whereas, grateful for her many years of distinguished service to North Greenville University, the South Carolina House of Representatives takes great pleasure in extending best wishes to Jan McDonald as she transitions to a richly deserved retirement and the unhurried pace of the days ahead, and the members wish her many years of enjoyment in her well-earned retirement.  Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, recognize and honor Jan McDonald, Director of Athletics at North Greenville University, upon the occasion of her retirement after more than four decades of outstanding service and leadership, and wish her continued success and happiness in all her future endeavors.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Jan McDonald.

----XX----