TITLE: Recognizing Shaka Smart, the head coach of The University of Texas at Austin basketball team, as an honorary Texan.

SUMMARY: Recognizing Shaka Smart, the head coach of The University of Texas at Austin basketball team, as an honorary Texan.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, Shaka Smart was named the head basketball coach of The University of Texas at Austin on April 2, 2015, and his arrival signals the start of an exciting new era for the Longhorns; and WHEREAS, A native of Madison, Wisconsin, Mr. Smart proved himself a gifted athlete at a young age; he lettered in basketball for three years at Oregon High School, and he went on to play for four years as a point guard at Kenyon College, becoming the school's single-season and career assists leader and being selected for the All-Conference Team and the USA Today All-USA Academic Team; and WHEREAS, Mr. Smart began his coaching career as an assistant at California University of Pennsylvania in 1999 and was subsequently appointed the director of basketball operations at the University of Dayton; he later served as an assistant coach at the University of Akron, Clemson University, and the University of Florida before being hired as head coach at Virginia Commonwealth University in 2009; and WHEREAS, During his six-year tenure at VCU, he instituted the team's "havoc" style of play, characterized by full-court pressure and transition offense; he compiled a stellar record of 163 wins and 56 losses and guided the team to a.700 or better winning percentage in each of his seasons at the helm; moreover, the squad rose to national prominence by clinching the 2010 College Basketball Invitational championship and advancing to the 2011 NCAA Division I Final Four after entering the tournament as a number 11 seed; and WHEREAS, In all of his endeavors, Mr. Smart is blessed with the love and support of his wife of nine years, the former Maya Payne, and he takes tremendous pride in their daughter, Zora Sanae; and WHEREAS, Shaka Smart will now put his extensive experience to work in guiding the UT basketball program, and the university's students, alumni, and supporters are justifiably excited to welcome this proven leader into the Longhorn family; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas Legislature hereby recognize Shaka Smart as an honorary Texan and extend to him sincere best wishes for success in the years ahead; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for Coach Smart as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. Israel Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 2367 was adopted by the House on May 21, 2015, by a non-record vote. Chief Clerk of the House