Bill Text: VA SR132 | 2015 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Celebrating the life of Jerome Kersey.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2015-02-27 - Bill text as passed Senate (SR132ER) [SR132 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2015-SR132-Enrolled.html
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WHEREAS, Jerome Kersey, a native of Clarksville, distinguished Longwood College alumnus, versatile professional basketball player, and devoted teammate and friend, died on February 18, 2015; and WHEREAS, Jerome Kersey graduated from Bluestone High School and had cultivated a love of basketball from a young age; in the winter, he diligently shoveled snow off of local basketball courts to practice; and WHEREAS, Jerome Kersey attended what is now Longwood University on a basketball scholarship; averaging 17 points and 11.3 rebounds per game, he scored 1,756 career points, set school records in points, rebounds, and rebound average, and was a two-time Division II All-American and the 1984 Division II National Player of the Year; and WHEREAS, a proud alumnus of Longwood University, Jerome Kersey was scheduled to receive the William Henry Ruffner Alumni Award, the highest honor for Longwood University alumni, in March 2015; and WHEREAS, Jerome Kersey was drafted by the Portland Trail Blazers in the second round of the 1984 National Basketball Association (NBA) draft, and he helped the team reach two NBA Finals in 1990 and 1992; he ranks second on Portland's career games list with 831 appearances; and WHEREAS, over the course of 17 seasons, Jerome Kersey also played with the Golden State Warriors, the Los Angeles Lakers, the Seattle SuperSonics, the San Antonio Spurs, and the Milwaukee Bucks; he won the NBA Championship with San Antonio in 1999; and WHEREAS, throughout his professional career, Jerome Kersey made 1,153 regular-season appearances and averaged 10.3 points and 5.5 rebounds per game; and WHEREAS, Jerome Kersey was respected as a fierce competitor on the court, earning the nickname "No Mercy Kersey," but was known off the court for his friendly demeanor, bright smile, and dedication to his friends and teammates; and WHEREAS, Jerome Kersey retired as a player in 2001 and served as an assistant coach of the Milwaukee Bucks in 2004–2005; he remained an active servant to the community and had recently attended an African American History Month event with several former players at a school in Portland, Oregon; and WHEREAS, Jerome Kersey will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by numerous family members, friends, and former teammates; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Senate of Virginia hereby note with great sadness the loss of Jerome Kersey, a Clarksville native, Longwood College alumnus, and professional basketball star; and, be it RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Jerome Kersey as an expression of the Senate of Virginia's respect for his memory. |
