TITLE: In memory of former Texas Tech University assistant football coach Bob Patterson.

SUMMARY: In memory of former Texas Tech University assistant football coach Bob Patterson.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, The life of a venerated coach drew to a close with the passing of Bob Patterson on May 15, 2017, at the age of 84; and WHEREAS, A native of New Jersey, Bob Patterson graduated from Penns Grove High School in Carneys Point, where he lettered on the football, basketball, baseball, and track teams and received the 1950 William J. Miles Award for Outstanding High School Athlete; he then attended the University of Tennessee on a football scholarship for two seasons, and while there, he was part of the 1951 national championship team; he subsequently transferred to Memphis State University in 1953, and he earned All-American honors for two consecutive years as well as Most Valuable Player and Outstanding Player of the Year Awards before graduating in 1955; and WHEREAS, Mr. Patterson, known to many by the nickname "Punkin," joined the University of Southwestern Louisiana as an assistant football coach in 1958; he subsequently served on the coaching staff at Memphis State from 1961 to 1963 and at Vanderbilt University from 1963 to 1974 before moving to Texas Tech University in 1975; at Tech, he served as a defensive line coach and administrative assistant on the staffs of legendary head coaches Steve Sloan and Rex Dockery, and he helped guide the 1976 Red Raiders team to a fifth-place national ranking during the season and an overall record of 10 wins and 2 losses; and WHEREAS, In 1981, Mr. Patterson returned to Memphis State as athletic director and assistant football coach, and he later served as a defensive line coach for the Memphis Showboats of the U.S. Football League before retiring in 1986; he went on to work as a part-time NFL scout for the New England Patriots, the New York Jets, and the Baltimore Ravens; and WHEREAS, In recognition of his many accomplishments, Mr. Patterson was inducted into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame, the University of Memphis MClub Hall of Fame, and the Penns Grove High School Athletic Hall of Fame, in addition to being selected to the UofM All-Time Tiger Team; moreover, he was presented with the 2016 Zinn Volunteer of the Year Award by the AutoZone Liberty Bowl and a Lifetime Achievement Award by the All-American Football Foundation; and WHEREAS, Bob Patterson was renowned not only for his exceptional skills as a coach but also for his generosity of spirit, his hearty laugh, and his easygoing manner, all of which endeared him to players, fellow coaches, and fans alike; he had a positive impact on the many communities in which he worked, and he will continue to be fondly remembered across the Lone Star State and beyond for years to come; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Bob Patterson and extend heartfelt sympathy to his family and many friends; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Bob Patterson. Burrows Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 2521 was unanimously adopted by a rising vote of the House on May 28, 2017. Chief Clerk of the House