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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, In his 33 years of guiding high school basketball |
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teams, Joe Lombard of Canyon High School has distinguished himself |
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as one of the most successful and revered coaches in the State of |
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Texas; and |
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WHEREAS, The latest proof of Coach Lombard's mastery came |
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during the 2010-2011 season, when he led the Canyon Lady Eagles to a |
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38-0 record and the 4A state championship; it was the 15th title of |
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his career, his 4th undefeated season, and the 20th time that one of |
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his teams played in the state tournament; moreover, the victory in |
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the title game brought his overall record to an astounding 1,100 |
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wins and just 98 losses; and |
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WHEREAS, A native of Fort Wayne, Indiana, Coach Lombard first |
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came to the Lone Star State to attend Wayland Baptist University, |
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where he was a member of the basketball team; following his |
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graduation, he took a job coaching the girls' team at Nazareth High |
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School, and his gift for guiding young athletes was clear from the |
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outset; during the 1978-1979 season, his first with the Swiftettes, |
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the team claimed the state championship, and they went on to win |
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five more titles in the seven years that Coach Lombard was a member |
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of the faculty; he also took on the assignment of overseeing the |
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Nazareth boys' team, taking them to the state tournament both |
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seasons he served as coach; and |
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WHEREAS, In 1985, this skilled mentor accepted the job at |
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Canyon High; within four years, the Lady Eagles reached the state |
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tournament, and their record over the past two decades has been |
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phenomenal: 11 final four appearances and 9 championships, with 7 |
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of them taking place since 2000; and |
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WHEREAS, Coach Lombard's success encompasses more than |
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winning games and titles, however; a trusted and inspirational |
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leader, he teaches his players the value of commitment and teamwork |
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while instilling in them the confidence they need to reach their |
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goals; in addition, his own actions also serve as a positive example |
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of wholehearted dedication and responsibility; he approaches his |
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job with a deep passion for the game of basketball and a desire to |
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help his young charges excel, yet is renowned for his composed |
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demeanor on the bench, having received only one technical foul in |
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his career; and |
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WHEREAS, Highly respected by his peers, Joe Lombard is well |
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known for his willingness to share his knowledge with other |
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coaches; he has earned numerous honors during his career, most |
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recently being named the MaxPreps Girls Basketball Coach of the |
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Year for 2010-2011 and being featured in the April 13, 2011, issue |
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of Sports Illustrated; such recognition is well deserved, and this |
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legendary coach is indeed worthy of legislative congratulations for |
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his outstanding achievements in high school athletics; now, |
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therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas |
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Legislature hereby honor Joe Lombard, head coach of the Canyon High |
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School girls' basketball team, on his exceptional career and extend |
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to him sincere best wishes for the future; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for Coach Lombard as an expression of high regard by the |
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Texas House of Representatives. |