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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Mitch Thompson of McLennan Community College has |
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been named the 2021 National Junior College Athletic Association |
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Division I Coach of the Year by the American Baseball Coaches |
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Association after leading the Highlanders to the national |
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championship; and |
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WHEREAS, This notable accolade follows an unforgettable |
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season in which the Highlanders finished with an overall record of |
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47-16 and claimed conference and regional titles before earning |
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their first NJCAA national championship in 38 years; Coach Thompson |
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was also named the Bus Bergman Coach of the Tournament after the |
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team's exciting postseason run that ended with a 7-3 victory over |
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Central Arizona College on June 4; and |
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WHEREAS, Since taking the helm at McLennan Community College |
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in 2014, Coach Thompson has established himself as one of the top |
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coaches in the nation; he has helped the Highlanders tally more than |
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300 wins and make three trips to the World Series, including a |
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runner-up finish in 2015 and a fifth-place showing in 2017; many of |
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his players have advanced to play for NCAA Division I programs, and |
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he was honored in 2015 as the Region V Coach of the Year and as the |
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Waco Tribune-Herald Sportsman of the Year after guiding McLennan to |
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its first regional championship in 32 years; in addition, his |
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athletes have excelled in the classroom, earning multiple NJCAA |
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All-Academic Team accolades; and |
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WHEREAS, Coach Thompson played baseball while pursuing his |
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bachelor's degree at Fort Hays State University, and he went on to |
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coach at Radford University, Auburn University, and Mississippi |
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State University, where he received his master's degree in 1991; |
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from 1995 to 2012, he was the hitting instructor and recruiting |
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coordinator at Baylor University, helping the Bears to collect |
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three Big 12 titles and to make an appearance in the 2005 College |
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World Series; he was honored as the 2006 ABCA National Assistant |
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Coach of the Year, and prior to taking charge of the Highlanders, he |
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served as a scout for the Kansas City Royals; in all his endeavors, |
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he enjoys the love and support of his wife, Amber, and his |
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daughters, Mary Conley and Caroline; and |
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WHEREAS, Through his leadership and expertise, Mitch |
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Thompson is building a tradition of baseball excellence at McLennan |
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Community College, and he is indeed deserving of this prestigious |
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award; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 87th Texas |
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Legislature, 1st Called Session, hereby congratulate Mitch |
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Thompson on his selection as the 2021 NJCAA Division I Coach of the |
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Year and extend to him sincere best wishes for the future; and, be |
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it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for Coach Thompson as an expression of high regard by the |
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Texas House of Representatives. |