87S20585 BK-D
 
  By: Kacal H.R. No. 109
 
 
 
R E S O L U T I O N
         WHEREAS, Mitch Thompson of McLennan Community College has
  been named the 2021 National Junior College Athletic Association
  Division I Coach of the Year by the American Baseball Coaches
  Association after leading the Highlanders to the national
  championship; and
         WHEREAS, This notable accolade follows an unforgettable
  season in which the Highlanders finished with an overall record of
  47-16 and claimed conference and regional titles before earning
  their first NJCAA national championship in 38 years; Coach Thompson
  was also named the Bus Bergman Coach of the Tournament after the
  team's exciting postseason run that ended with a 7-3 victory over
  Central Arizona College on June 4; and
         WHEREAS, Since taking the helm at McLennan Community College
  in 2014, Coach Thompson has established himself as one of the top
  coaches in the nation; he has helped the Highlanders tally more than
  300 wins and make three trips to the World Series, including a
  runner-up finish in 2015 and a fifth-place showing in 2017; many of
  his players have advanced to play for NCAA Division I programs, and
  he was honored in 2015 as the Region V Coach of the Year and as the
  Waco Tribune-Herald Sportsman of the Year after guiding McLennan to
  its first regional championship in 32 years; in addition, his
  athletes have excelled in the classroom, earning multiple NJCAA
  All-Academic Team accolades; and
         WHEREAS, Coach Thompson played baseball while pursuing his
  bachelor's degree at Fort Hays State University, and he went on to
  coach at Radford University, Auburn University, and Mississippi
  State University, where he received his master's degree in 1991;
  from 1995 to 2012, he was the hitting instructor and recruiting
  coordinator at Baylor University, helping the Bears to collect
  three Big 12 titles and to make an appearance in the 2005 College
  World Series; he was honored as the 2006 ABCA National Assistant
  Coach of the Year, and prior to taking charge of the Highlanders, he
  served as a scout for the Kansas City Royals; in all his endeavors,
  he enjoys the love and support of his wife, Amber, and his
  daughters, Mary Conley and Caroline; and
         WHEREAS, Through his leadership and expertise, Mitch
  Thompson is building a tradition of baseball excellence at McLennan
  Community College, and he is indeed deserving of this prestigious
  award; now, therefore, be it
         RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 87th Texas
  Legislature, 2nd Called Session, hereby congratulate Mitch
  Thompson on his selection as the 2021 NJCAA Division I Coach of the
  Year and extend to him sincere best wishes for the future; and, be
  it further
         RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
  prepared for Coach Thompson as an expression of high regard by the
  Texas House of Representatives.