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H. R. No. 148 *HR26/R2756* ~ OFFICIAL ~ N1/2
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To: Rules
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2026
By: Representatives Gibbs (72nd), Foster
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 148
A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE TOUGALOO 1
COLLEGE BULLDOGS BASKETBALL TEAM AND HEAD COACH ERIC STROTHERS ON 2
WINNING THE HBCU ATHLETIC CONFERENCE WESTERN DIVISION TITLE. 3
WHEREAS, on February 12, 2026, the Tougaloo College Men's 4
Basketball Team clinched the Historically Black Colleges and 5
Universities Athletic Conference (HBCUAC) Western Division Title 6
with an impressive 10-2 conference record, leading to a formal 7
cutting down of the nets ceremony to celebrate the achievement at 8
the end of the nonconference game against Southeast Baptist; and 9
WHEREAS, the 2025-2026 HBCUAC crown adds to a remarkable run 10
for the overall 19-10 Tougaloo Bulldogs, with the latest title 11
being the fifth consecutive for the team after the squad captured 12
the 2024-2025 HBCUAC title following a trio of Gulf Coast Athletic 13
Conference (GCAC) titles in the 2021-2022, 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 14
school years; and 15
WHEREAS, based on their extraordinary winning record each 16
year, the Bulldogs have incredibly participated in the National 17
Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) National 18
H. R. No. 148 *HR26/R2756* ~ OFFICIAL ~
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Tournament four out of the last five years, having finished in the 19
first round three years and impressively, in the Elite Eight at 20
the 2022-2023 National Tournament; and 21
WHEREAS, unbelievably securing the title of conference champs 22
for five consecutive regular seasons, the Tougaloo Men's 23
Basketball program is reputedly among the conference elite, widely 24
respected as a consistent and dominant force year after year, no 25
matter the names of the Bulldogs comprising the roster in any 26
given season; and 27
WHEREAS, throughout the 2025-2026 season, Tougaloo relied on 28
a balanced offensive attack led by standout guard Antonio 29
Patterson, Tougaloo's Most Valuable Player, who as a four-year 30
starter averaged a whopping 20 points per game and contributed 6.9 31
rebounds and 2.1 steals per game, making him a top scorer in the 32
conference while providing a two-way presence for the Bulldogs; 33
and 34
WHEREAS, the key to the Bulldogs' continued success has been 35
the players' balance on both ends of the hardwood, resilience in 36
tight contests and the ability to execute in critical moments, 37
along with the remarkable commitment and hard work of each of its 38
talented student-athletes, including: Jordan Ealey, Tyler Hudson, 39
Jagger Young, Antonio Patterson, Damien Walters, Willie Anderson, 40
Demarcus Hollis, Eric Steward, Christopher Stephens, Jakenyon 41
McGhee, Daveon Johnson, Samuel Kabala, Gerlouis Tokody, Caleb Hill 42
and Shelby Hughes; and 43
H. R. No. 148 *HR26/R2756* ~ OFFICIAL ~
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WHEREAS, the Tougaloo Men's Basketball Team has been superbly 44
coached and inspired by fourth-year Head Coach Eric Strothers, 45
Associate Head Coach Thomas Billups, and Assistant Coaches John 46
Neal, Christoper Stephens and Elridge Walker, whose leadership, 47
preparation and commitment to excellence have shaped the 48
discipline and competitive spirit of the Bulldogs, with the 49
support of Athletic Director Keith Barnes, Sports Information 50
Director Eric Pilcher, and Managers Kobe Jones and Kaelynn Keller; 51
and 52
WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to 53
recognize and commend excellence such as that displayed by the 54
Tougaloo College Men's Basketball Team, and it is with great pride 55
that we congratulate this elite group of collegiate athletes and 56
Head Coach Eric Strothers, who have brought honor to their 57
families, Tougaloo College and the State of Mississippi: 58
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF 59
REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby 60
commend and congratulate the Tougaloo College Men's Basketball 61
Team and Head Coach Eric Strothers on winning the HBCU Athletic 62
Conference Western Division Title and extend sincere wishes to the 63
team members and coaches for continued success in all their future 64
endeavors. 65
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be 66
furnished to Head Coach Eric Strothers on behalf of the Tougaloo 67
H. R. No. 148 *HR26/R2756* ~ OFFICIAL ~
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ST: Tougaloo College Men's Basketball Team;
commend on winning HBCU Athletic Conference
Western Division Title.
College Men's Basketball Team and to the members of the Capitol 68
Press Corps. 69