ENROLLED 2018 Regular Session HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 77 BY REPRESENTATIVE JEFFERSON A RESOLUTION To commend the Grambling State University men's basketball team and staff for an outstanding 2017-2018 season. WHEREAS, in the next-to-the-last game of the season, the Tigers rallied from a deficit of nine points in the final three minutes to force overtime on March 1, 2018, against Alabama A&M University and capture the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) regular season title with an 84-74 victory; the conference season championship was a testament to the tenacity of the Grambling State Tigers, who had been predicted to finish seventh in the preseason coaches' poll; and WHEREAS, the 2017-2018 regular season SWAC title was the first for the Grambling men's team in thirty years and was a fitting cap to the school's first winning season since 2006; the Tigers finished with a wins-losses record of 17-14; and WHEREAS, the 2017-2018 Tigers also brought attention to Grambling State University men's basketball and great pride to its fans with an eleven-game win streak; the consecutive wins were powered by sophomore Ivy Smith, Jr., senior Shirmane Thomas, sophomore Anthony Gaston, senior Jason Perry-Murray, and sophomore Devante Jackson, who made great contributions to the overall success of the team along with teammates Shaq Athie, Nigel Ribeiro, Kareem Wright, Drake Wilks, Axel Mpoyo, Bobby Jackson, Charles Simmons, Zavier Peart, Prince Moss, Diing Diing Wol, Diontae Jones, Lasani Johnson, and Travon Bunch; and WHEREAS, the exemplary accomplishments of the Tigers could not have been achieved without the guidance and skills of Donté Jackson, head coach; assistant coaches Winston Hines, Demetrius Moore, and Kyle Jones; Paul Bryant, athletics director; and Page 1 of 2 HR NO. 77 ENROLLED Richard J. Gallot, Jr., university president, all of whom have demonstrated leadership and motivational skills needed to produce champion achievements on the basketball court and in life; and WHEREAS, in recognition of his successful leadership of the Grambling State University basketball program, Coach Jackson was named National Association of Basketball Coaches National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I District 23 Coach of the Year, SWAC Coach of the Year, and he received the 2018 Ben Jobe National Coach of the Year, awarded by Collegeinsider.com to the top minority coach in college basketball; and WHEREAS, the talent and determination demonstrated by the Grambling State University Tigers provided fans with exciting basketball competition throughout the season, and the athletes and staff merit a sincere measure of commendation for achievements earned and for the honor they have brought to Grambling State University. THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby commend the Grambling State University Tigers men's basketball team and staff for winning the Southwestern Athletic Conference regular season title and does hereby extend enduring appreciation for the tremendous pride they have brought to Grambling State University, the University of Louisiana System, and the community and the state. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this Resolution be transmitted to Head Coach Donté Jackson. SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Page 2 of 2.