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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Michael "Spanky" Stephens was inducted into the |
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Kinesiology and Health Education Hall of Honor at The University of |
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Texas at Austin in 2023; and |
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WHEREAS, Each year, the Hall of Honor recognizes the |
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achievements and contributions of KHE faculty, former students, and |
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members of professional fields related to physical activity and |
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health; induction is based on an individual's leadership, |
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professional involvement, service, or academic research; and |
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WHEREAS, A native of Bellville, Spanky Stephens is a graduate |
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of the Department of Kinesiology and Health Education at UT Austin; |
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after beginning his career in 1967 as a student athletic trainer as |
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an undergraduate, he was hired as the school's first assistant |
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athletic trainer; he served in that role for eight years before |
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being selected as head athletic trainer in 1978; over the course of |
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his more than three decades with the university, he worked with nine |
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NCAA championship teams and oversaw a student program that produced |
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hundreds of high school and college athletic trainers; and |
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WHEREAS, In 2001, Mr. Stephens was named executive director |
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of the Texas State Athletic Trainers' Association, where he has |
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been instrumental in promoting the athletic training profession and |
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advocating for the safety of athletes throughout the state; his |
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many achievements in this role include helping to create a sports |
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medicine track for Texas high school students, and he was integral |
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to the passage of "Natasha's Law," which established a protocol for |
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dealing with student-athletes suspected of having sustained a |
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concussion; the law became a model for states across the country; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, Mr. Stephens is a member of the Texas State Athletic |
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Trainers' Association Hall of Honor, the Southwest Athletic |
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Trainers' Association Hall of Fame, the All-American Football |
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Foundation Hall of Honor, the UT Athletics Hall of Honor, and the |
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Bellville High School Hall of Fame; and |
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WHEREAS, The impact of Spanky Stephens's contributions will |
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continue to resonate in the Lone Star State for years to come, and |
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he is indeed deserving of this prestigious honor for his unwavering |
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commitment to the health and safety of student-athletes; now, |
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therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas |
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Legislature hereby congratulate Michael "Spanky" Stephens on his |
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induction into the Kinesiology and Health Education Hall of Honor |
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at The University of Texas at Austin and extend to him sincere best |
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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 Mr. Stephens as an expression of high regard by the |
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Texas House of Representatives. |