Bill Text: MS SC507 | 2023 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Commend JSU "Tigers" Football Team for second consecutive SWAC Championship.
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 13-7)
Status: (Passed) 2023-02-15 - Enrolled Bill Signed [SC507 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2023-SC507-Enrolled.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2023 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Blackmon, Horhn, Butler (36th), Thomas, Norwood, Barnett, Blount, Butler (38th), Caughman, England, Frazier, Hickman, Hopson, Jackson, McCaughn, McLendon, McMahan, Michel, Simmons (13th)
Senate Concurrent Resolution 507
(As Adopted by Senate and House)
WHEREAS, the Jackson State University "Tigers" Football Team, led by "Coach Prime" Deion Sanders and an equally exceptional coaching staff, reigned supreme during the 2022 season, laying claim to its second consecutive Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Championship, the "Tigers'" first back-to-back SWAC titles since 1995-1996; and
WHEREAS, after initially clinching the SWAC Championship during the 2021 gridiron season for the first time since 2007 with the university's first 11-win season in school history, the 2022 "Tigers" one-upped their previous season, breaking their own record by going a perfect 12-0 on the regular season, and 8-0 in conference division play; and
WHEREAS, the "Tigers," who had a superior season that was driven by more than just the yearning to succeed, intensely amplified all of their hard work, motivation and audacity for the championship game to defeat Southern University 43-24 at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium in Jackson, Mississippi, on December 3, 2022, before an exuberant crowd of 53,754 enthusiastic spectators, and collect the program's 18th SWAC Football Championship, which also berthed the team's second consecutive bowl appearance at the Cricket Celebration Bowl; and
WHEREAS, striving all season long to be the best football program in the state, Jackson State University put aside the excitement, fanfare and attention to focus on the championship game and prepare as they had throughout the season, and that strategy, along with the monumental support from the entire community, which evidenced its devoted belief in "Thee I Love" through record-breaking game attendance that amassed approximately 501,000 fans throughout the 2022 season of competition, and which further solidified the "Tigers'" ascent to championship status; and
WHEREAS, the Jackson State University "Tigers" Football Team's mental stamina and determination never waivered from the moment they ran onto the field until the last down was played scoring 490 points on the season, while only yielding 176 points to their formidable opponents, for an average of approximately 37.7 points per game; and
WHEREAS, during the championship game that kept fans in a full experience for the entire 60 minutes of electrifying play, the game's opening 11 minutes set the tone for what was to follow in the next three quarters as the nation's top-ranked defense forced three turnovers, made two sacks and following a three-and-out forced by the JSU defense, the "Tigers'" offense drove 61 yards in nine plays, as freshman kicker, Alejandro Mata's 22-yard field goal gave Jackson State a 3-0 lead; and
WHEREAS, the interception and 37-yard return of a Southern pass by Herman Smith III positioned the "Tigers" at the "Jaguar's" one-yard line, which made for an effortless one-yard touchdown run by Sy'Veon Wilkerson two plays later, followed by a PAT kick that gave Jackson State a 10-0 lead with 8:26 to play in the first quarter; and
WHEREAS, on the ensuing possession, linebacker Aubrey Miller Jr.'s sack and forced fumble was recovered by Antonio Doyle, Jr., at the Southern 14-yard line, which afforded quarterback Shedeur Sanders prime opportunity to capitalize on the next play, by firing a 14-yard touchdown pass to Shane Hooks, and Kevin Coleman's two-point conversion pass catapulted the "Tigers" to an 18-0 lead with 6:35 remaining in the first quarter; and
WHEREAS, Jackson State made its third takeaway on the next Southern drive as Baron Hopson's sack and forced fumble was recovered by Justin Ragin at the JSU 42-yard line, allowing the "Tigers" to find the end zone once again as Sanders and Hooks connected on a 40-yard scoring pass, and echoed with a Sanders-to-Coleman two-point conversion pass, which gave JSU a 26-0 advantage over Southern with 3:51 to play in the opening period; and
WHEREAS, an early score by Southern in the second quarter only fueled JSU's fire, compelling the "Tigers" to respond on its fifth straight possession with a seven-play, 85-yard drive, which resulted in a 14-yard scoring pass from Sanders to Coleman, and Mata's PAT boosting the "Tigers" to a 33-7 lead with 11:25 to play in the first half; and
WHEREAS, after Southern managed to close the gap in the third quarter, the "Tigers," on the prowl, pounced once again to put the game away for good, as Sanders threw his fourth touchdown pass of the game, a nine-yard strike to Rico Powers late in the period for the final margin, yielding the "Tigers" a 43-24 victory over the "Jaguars," a staunch reminder why tigers are the "true" kings of the jungle; and
WHEREAS, while the old saying goes, "defense wins championships," it certainly held true during the championship game, as the "Tigers'" defense erected an impenetrable stone wall that showcased the tactical prowess, stamina and skillsets that are inherent characteristics to the apex predator for which they are named; and
WHEREAS, the "Tigers" have a very talented and distinguished roster, and each player made a substantial contribution that led to one of the most historic seasons in the history of the "Tigers" football program, including: J.P. Andrade, Khalil Arrington, Gerardo Baeza, Kejuan Barbee, Jackson Barry, Tayvion Beasley, Elliot Blackmon, Isaiah Bolden, Zachary Breaux, Jeremiah Brown, Tyler Brown, Alvin Brumfield, Kris Cassel, Kevin Coleman, Jr., Dallas Daniels, Devonta Davis, Jelani Davis, Jurriente Davis, Quaydarius Davis, Norman Douglas, Jr., Antonio Doyle, Jr., Daelyn Dunn, Frankie Dunn, Kirk Ford, Jasper Friis, Nyles Gaddy, Willie Gaines, Charlton Goodell, Deontae Graham, Timontre Graham, Gregory Grate, Hayden Hagler, Aarion Hartman, Devin Hayes, Evan Henry, Shane Hooks, Baron Hopson, John Huggins, Jalin Hughes, Jacob Humphrey, Andre Hunt, Donavan Hunt, Travis Hunter, Marquis Johnson, Sam Johnson, Caleb Jolivette, Demetri Jordan, Josiah Laban, Santee Marshall, J.D. Martin, Alejandro Mata, Emari Matthews, Kevin May, Lane McGregor, Jason Mercier, Aubrey Miller, Jr., Glenn Misiak, King Mwikuta, Willis Patrick, Dazerick Patton, Kobe Paul, Jacob Politte, Rico Powers, Justin Ragin, Julius Reynolds, Matthew Ricciardi-Vitale, Tre'von Riggins, Jency Riley, Trevonte Rucker, Delano Salgado, Shedeur Sanders, Shilo Sanders, Tayari Sherwood, Trace Shumans, Cam'Ron Silmon-Craig, Errick Simmons, Christopher Smith, Julian Smith, Herman Smith III, D.J. Stevens, David Studstill, Reginald Swinton, Greyson Thompson, Michael Thompson, Tru Thompson, Donald Turley, Kaseem Vauls, Zyon Walker, Amari Ward, De'Jahn Warren, J.J. Weeks, Malachi Wideman, Ke'Vric Wiggins, Jr., Sy'veon Wilkerson and Jeremiah Williams; and
WHEREAS, the team's statistics were impressive this season, and there were outstanding performances by individual players, but the key to the team's remarkable success has been the constant atmosphere of unity and year-round hard work by the following talented 19 student-athletes who were named to All-Conference teams as All-SWAC Honorees, including: first-team recipients, Shedeur Sanders, Aubrey Miller, Jr., Dallas Daniels, Shane Hooks, Willis Patrick, Tyler Brown, Cam'ron Silmon-Craig and Alejandro Mata; second-team recipients, Travis Hunter, Sy'Veon Wilkerson, D.J. Stevens, Devin Hayes, Justin Ragin, Nyles Gaddy, Shilo Sanders and Isaiah Bolden; third-team recipients, Jurriente Davis and John Huggins; fourth-team recipient, Jacob Politte; in addition to Shedeur Sanders being named Offensive Player of the Year, Aubrey Miller, Jr., being named Defensive Player of the Year, and Kevin Coleman, Jr., being named Freshman of the Year;
WHEREAS, Head Coach Deion Sanders, who was named SWAC Coach of the Year for the second consecutive year, and an elite coaching staff who are personally vested in the academic and athletic success of each player, have superbly coached and tremendously inspired the "Tigers" and broadened their knowledge of the game while refining their skills in execution, and he continues to build upon the legacy of superior play and true sportsmanship forged by the tenacious and undaunted spirit of each team member, as evidenced in his ability to produce high-caliber players and plays and by the team's successful season; and
WHEREAS, the level of accountability to which each player is held has manifested a culture of success that has become demonstrative both on and off the field, and not only with the football team, but through the entire "Tigers'" athletics program, which leads the Southwestern Athletic Conference, and the State of Mississippi, in the latest NCAA's Graduation Success Rate (GSR) report announced in November, posting an overall GSR of 90%, the highest in the SWAC, and tied with Ole Miss and Mississippi State for the highest in the state; and
WHEREAS, despite the challenges of the pandemic and endemic water and infrastructure woes, JSU's student-athletes, staff and coaches remained steadfast in their focus on the academic mission of becoming champions in the classroom first, which has enabled them to continuously excel in all aspects of the collegiate experience, which in turn further impacts their posture for their individual career successes moving forward, as more than 150 student-athletes attained at least a 3.0 grade-point average, with 35 student-athletes with a 4.0 GPA, and a collective 3.101 grade point average in the Fall 2022 semester, which produced 28 football graduates; and
WHEREAS, building on its historic mission of empowering a culturally diverse group of students to become leaders, Jackson State University has become recognized as a challenging, yet nurturing, state-of-the-art technologically infused intellectual community that promotes student and faculty engagement in creative research, participation in interdisciplinary and multi-instructional/organizational collaborative learning teams, while serving the global community; and
WHEREAS, the theme of diversity and inclusion that is being masterfully implemented by the administration of Jackson State University has laid the historical foundation for a student body that is a beautiful tapestry of ethnicities and cultures intricately woven together into a masterpiece that is representative of the Mississippi we aspire daily to achieve and utilize as a branding trademark to highlight the greatness and limitless potential for success the Hospitality State has to offer; and
WHEREAS, in a testament to the fulfillment of its platform of diversity and inclusion JSU made history on April 5, 2022, with the "Sonic Boom" of the South's bestowing the J5 Head Drum Major Honor for the 2022-2023 season upon senior Marvin Garcia Meda, as the first Hispanic head drum major after initially becoming the first Hispanic student to hold a highly coveted position as a member of the energetic, high-stepping and synchronously choreographed quintet as a sophomore, and sophomore Priscilla Marin, now in her second year as the first Hispanic performer of the "Prancing J-Settes" in the institution's history, both of whom are first-generation Jackson State University students; and
WHEREAS, the beauty of Jackson State University is the familial bond that was established at its 1877 founding as Natchez Seminary by the American Baptist Home Mission Society for the moral, religious and intellectual improvement of African Americans, and which prevails in perpetuity through the dauntlessly enduring commitment to those core values while expanding its curriculum to meet the ambitious educational needs of a progressive student body whose affinity for their beloved university is entrenched in the popular ascribed alumni motto, "Thee I Love," which is gleaned from the lyrics of its alma mater "Jackson Fair"; and
WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize and commend outstanding Mississippi student-athletes, especially those such as the Jackson State University "Tigers" Football Team, whose hard work and perseverance brings honor to their school, their 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 recognize and commend the Jackson State University "Tigers" Football Team, Head Coach Deion Sanders and the "Tigers" coaching staff upon winning their second consecutive Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Championship, upon becoming the 2022 SWAC champions, recognizing Jackson State University's continual fulfillment of its vision statement of building upon its historic mission of promoting and empowering diversity and inclusion among its scholars and scholar-athletes through interdisciplinary and multimodal collaborative learning, and extend to them best wishes for continued success in all of their future athletic, academic and career endeavors.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to former Head Coach Deion Sanders and President Thomas K. Hudson, and made available to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.
