TITLE: In memory of Lewis Daniel Hill Sr., head men's basketball coach at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.

SUMMARY: In memory of Lewis Daniel Hill Sr., head men's basketball coach at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, Words cannot adequately express the sorrow felt by the family, friends, colleagues, and players of Lewis Daniel Hill Sr., the head coach of The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley men's basketball team, who passed away on February 7, 2021, at the age of 55; and WHEREAS, The son of Gary and Annie Hill, Lew Hill was born in Clinton, North Carolina, on April 11, 1965, and grew up in Mount Vernon, New York, with a brother, Emory; an exceptional athlete, he was an all-state basketball player at Mount Vernon High School and an All-American for San Jacinto College in 1983 and 1984, helping the Ravens to win a national championship; he went on to earn All-Missouri Valley Conference honors at Wichita State University, where he earned a criminal justice degree; he then competed professionally for one year in Germany before returning to Kansas to coach the team at Wichita East High School; and WHEREAS, In 1990, Mr. Hill began his collegiate coaching career as an assistant at the University of South Alabama, followed by tenures at Southeast Missouri State and East Carolina Universities; after serving as an assistant and associate head coach at Texas A&M, he worked as an assistant at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and the University of Oklahoma; and WHEREAS, On March 31, 2016, Coach Hill took the reins of the men's basketball program at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley; his leadership and expertise quickly transformed the team, and during his second year, he led the Vaqueros to their first postseason appearance in 37 years; UTRGV collected its debut postseason win as an NCAA Division I program in the subsequent 2018-2019 campaign, and he was named a finalist for the Ben Jobe Award, which recognizes the top minority coach in Division I men's basketball; in 2020, his players won 8 of 10 games down the stretch and claimed the No. 2 seed at the Western Athletic Conference Tournament, the highest ranking in school history; and WHEREAS, In all his endeavors, Coach Hill enjoyed the love and support of his wife, Franchetta Renee; he was the devoted father of five children, Lewis, Sierra, Erica, Asya, and Elle, and he took great pride in his six grandchildren, Joshua, Shaniya, Johnathan, Ayden, Aria, and Denim; known for his charismatic personality, he was a trusted friend and colleague to many and had a talent for making others feel special; and WHEREAS, Earning the lasting respect of his players and his peers, Lew Hill made a positive difference in the lives of countless people, and his contributions to UTRGV athletics will be appreciated for years to come; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 87th Texas Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Lewis Daniel Hill Sr. and extend deepest condolences to all who mourn his passing; 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 Lew Hill. Canales Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 339 was unanimously adopted by a rising vote of the House on March 25, 2021. Chief Clerk of the House