TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR THE SOUTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY FOOTBALL TEAM, COACHES, AND UNIVERSITY OFFICIALS FOR A STELLAR SEASON AND TO CONGRATULATE THEM FOR WINNING THE 2021 HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE.
Whereas, the South Carolina Senate is pleased to learn that the members of the South Carolina State (SC State) University football team of Orangeburg County captured the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) national title at the Celebration Bowl held in Atlanta on Saturday, December 17, 2021 and finished number one in the Boxtorow Coaches Poll; and
Whereas, to the cheers of their exuberant fans, the SC State Bulldogs defeated a fine, competitive Jackson State team 31-10; and
Whereas, SC State went undefeated in conference play on its way to the MEAC championship. The last time SC State won an HBCU national football championship was 2009, claiming two of the twelve titles in the history of the championship; and
Whereas, in its twelfth year, the coaches' poll is voted on by the HBCU Football Championship Subdivision coaches; and
Whereas, in a sport that demands strength, expertise, and tenacity, Head Coach Buddy Pough at SC State for two decades, along with his skilled coaching staff, maximized his athletic ability and training to forge a championship-caliber team and teach these athletes lessons that will prove invaluable through life both on and off the gridiron; and
Whereas, the South Carolina Senate values the pride and recognition that the SC State football players have brought to their university and to our great State, and the members look to hear of their continued accomplishments in the days ahead. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate:
That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, recognize and honor the South Carolina State University football team, coaches, and university officials for a stellar season and congratulate them for winning the 2021 Historically Black Colleges and Universities National Championship title.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Coach Buddy Pough.