TITLE: Congratulating Nolan Richardson on his induction into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame.

SUMMARY: Congratulating Nolan Richardson on his induction into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, In a fitting tribute to an outstanding career that spanned more than four decades, basketball coach Nolan Richardson is being inducted into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 2015; and WHEREAS, Born and raised in Segundo Barrio in El Paso, Nolan Richardson graduated from Bowie High School and went on to attend Texas Western College, where he played for legendary coach Don Haskins; after beginning his career as a head coach at the high school level, he entered the collegiate ranks in 1978 as the head coach at Western Texas College; in 1980, he led the Westerners to an undefeated record and the National Junior College Athletic Association championship, and the following year he accepted the head coaching position at the University of Tulsa; there, he guided the team to a National Invitation Tournament title and compiled an exemplary 119-37 overall record; and WHEREAS, Coach Richardson took over the program at the University of Arkansas in 1985, and during his 17 seasons at the school, he helped the Razorbacks reach new levels of success; employing an up-tempo offense and an aggressive pressure defense, his squads played in the Final Four three times, and Arkansas proved itself the finest team in the country in 1994, when it won the NCAA Division I national championship; by the time Coach Richardson completed his tenure in 2002, he had become the winningest coach in the university's history; and WHEREAS, This esteemed mentor has received numerous accolades, including the National Coach of the Year award in 1994 and induction into the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame and the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame; moreover, he remains the only college coach to win a junior college championship, an NIT title, and an NCAA Tournament crown; and WHEREAS, Dedicated to helping others, Coach Richardson hosts the Nolan Richardson Charity Golf Tournament each year in El Paso, an event that benefits a number of worthwhile charitable initiatives in Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas; in recognition of his accomplishments and his noteworthy contributions to his hometown, a middle school, a street, and a recreation center in El Paso all bear his name; and WHEREAS, Over the course of his exceptional career, Nolan Richardson distinguished himself as one of the top college basketball coaches in the nation, and he is indeed deserving of this prestigious hall of fame honor; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas Legislature hereby congratulate Nolan Richardson on his induction into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame 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 Richardson as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. Blanco Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 399 was adopted by the House on February 19, 2015, by a non-record vote. Chief Clerk of the House