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H. R. No. 78 *HR26/R2617* ~ OFFICIAL ~ N1/2
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To: Rules
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2026
By: Representative Hines
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 78
A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING MR. EARL "BIG E" 1
SANDERS, JR., UPON HIS INDUCTION INTO THE COLLEGE BASEBALL HALL OF 2
FAME AND RECOGNIZING HIS EXTRAORDINARY CONTRIBUTIONS TO COLLEGIATE 3
ATHLETICS AND THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI. 4
WHEREAS, the State of Mississippi has long been a fertile 5
field from which athletic excellence has flourished, producing men 6
and women whose discipline, resilience and championship spirit 7
have elevated both institution and state; and 8
WHEREAS, on February 12, 2026, at the Marriott Hotel in 9
Overland Park, Kansas, Mr. Earl "Big E" Sanders, Jr., a former 10
Jackson State University baseball standout, was inducted into the 11
College Baseball Hall of Fame, a crowning achievement marking more 12
than four decades of impact upon the game he has so faithfully 13
served; and 14
WHEREAS, Mr. Sanders' induction class included distinguished 15
collegiate greats from Mesa College and Arizona State University, 16
the University of Southern California and Vanderbilt University, 17
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placing him among the most elite company in the annals of college 18
baseball history; and 19
WHEREAS, Mr. Sanders became only the second Jackson State 20
University Tiger to receive this prestigious honor, following his 21
former head coach, Robert "Bob" Brady, who was inducted in 2016, 22
and whose congratulatory remarks during the ceremony paid homage 23
to Mr. Sanders' unparalleled athleticism and likened his rare 24
two-way dominance to that of modern international phenom Shohei 25
Ohtani; and 26
WHEREAS, the overwhelming presence of supporters, friends, 27
family and current Tougaloo College players, who filled multiple 28
tables in tribute to Mr. Sanders' legacy reflected not only 29
personal admiration, but institutional pride rivaling that of the 30
nation's most storied universities; and 31
WHEREAS, during his tenure at Jackson State University from 32
1984-1986, Mr. Sanders established himself as one of the most 33
dominant and versatile players in university history and 34
throughout the Historically Black College and University athletic 35
arena, excelling as both a formidable hitter and commanding 36
pitcher; and 37
WHEREAS, in his final season, he achieved a .432 batting 38
average with 17 home runs and 60 RBIs, leading the Tigers to a 39
Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Championship and an NCAA 40
Regional appearance, while earning the rare distinction of being 41
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named both SWAC Hitter of the Year and SWAC Pitcher of the Year in 42
the same season; and 43
WHEREAS, his extraordinary collegiate performance resulted in 44
his selection in the first round of the 1986 Major League Baseball 45
Draft by the Toronto Blue Jays, affirming his place among the 46
premier talents of his era, and though his professional career was 47
shortened by injury, his influence upon the sport was far from 48
diminished; and 49
WHEREAS, transitioning from player to mentor, Mr. Sanders 50
devoted himself to coaching, making transformative contributions 51
to the baseball program at Tougaloo College, including playing a 52
pivotal role in re-establishing the Bulldogs' program, and in 53
2023, the baseball field at Tougaloo College was dedicated in his 54
honor, a lasting testament to his leadership and investment in 55
future generations; and 56
WHEREAS, Mr. Sanders' legacy is further cemented through his 57
induction into the Moss Point Athletic Hall of Fame, and his 58
career merits continued recognition, including consideration for 59
induction into the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and the 60
Southwestern Athletic Conference Hall of Fame; and 61
WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to 62
recognize and commend those Mississippians whose exceptional 63
achievements bring honor to their institutions, inspire the next 64
generation of athletes and reflect the enduring spirit of 65
excellence that defines our great state: 66
H. R. No. 78 *HR26/R2617* ~ OFFICIAL ~
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ST: Earl "Big E" Sanders, Jr.; commend upon
induction into the College Baseball Hall of
Fame.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF 67
REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby 68
commend and congratulate Mr. Earl "Big E" Sanders, Jr., upon his 69
induction into the College Baseball Hall of Fame, acknowledge his 70
extraordinary contributions to collegiate athletics, and extend to 71
him gratitude and admiration of the citizens of this state. 72
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be 73
furnished to Mr. Earl "Big E" Sanders, Jr., Tougaloo College, 74
Jackson State University, and to the members of the Capitol Press 75
Corps. 76