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A RESOLUTION honoring Velvet Milkman, Head Women's Golf Coach at Murray 1
State University, upon the occasion of her retirement. 2
WHEREAS, Velvet Jones Milkman, a native of Murray, Kentucky, graduated from 3
Murray High School and was the 1981 Kentucky High School Athletic Association 4
Individual Girls' Golf champion; and 5
WHEREAS, Velvet Milkman graduated from the University of Alabama in 1987 6
with a Bachelor of Science degree in finance, and was a member of an outstanding 7
women's golf team that finished ninth in the 1987 NCAA Championship; and 8
WHEREAS, after her collegiate career ended, Velvet Milkman served as a student 9
assistant coach for the Crimson Tide and as an assistant golf professional at Temple Hills 10
Country Club in Franklin, Tennessee; and 11
WHEREAS, in 1993, Velvet Milkman was named the first coach of the Murray 12
State women's golf team, and over the past 29 years has built the Racers into the most 13
successful program in the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC); and 14
WHEREAS, under Velvet Milkman's tutelage, the Racers have won 12 Ohio Valley 15
Championships, including their latest title in 2019, and on three separate occasions, have 16
won three conference titles in a row; and 17
WHEREAS, Velvet Milkman's Racers have completed in the NCAA Regional Golf 18
Tournaments on six separate occasions; and 19
WHEREAS, Velvet Milkman has coached seven different players who have won a 20
total of nine individual OVC championships, ten players who were named OVC Player of 21
the Year, 53 players who made the All-OVC team, and eight players who have played in 22
the professional ranks; and 23
WHEREAS, Velvet Milkman's teams have also won four OVC Academic 24
Achievement Awards; and 25
WHEREAS, Velvet Milkman served as the Senior Women's Athletic Administrator 26
for Murray State for many years and has also served as the Interim Athletics Director 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 23 RS BR 1794
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from July 2018 through February 2019; and 1
WHEREAS, Velvet Milkman has received numerous individual accolades over the 2
years, including 12 OVC Coach of the Year awards. In 2022, she was awarded the 3
Gladys Palmer Meritorious Service Award from the Women's Golf Coaches Association 4
for her substantial contributions to the evolution and growth of women’s collegiate golf; 5
and 6
WHEREAS, after 29 years at the helm of the Racer program, Velvet Milkman 7
recently announced her intention to retire and continue the next chapter of her life with 8
her husband Martin, an Economics professor at Murray State. The news of her retirement 9
has caused many to reflect on her contributions to the university; and 10
WHEREAS, Velvet Milkman's mark on Murray State University is perhaps best 11
summed up by the school's president, Dr. Bob Jackson, who noted, "Coach Velvet 12
Milkman is synonymous with success, class and character. She epitomizes everything a 13
university could want in a winning coach and athletic program. For 29 years, she has 14
competed at the highest level and is recognized as one of the finest coaches in the 15
country. Most importantly, Velvet has been a teacher, role model and mentor to 16
numerous student-athletes on and off the course and has left an indelible mark on Murray 17
State University."; and 18
WHEREAS, the Murray State Athletics Director said of her legacy, "While Velvet 19
Milkman is the winningest OVC Championship Coach in Murray State University 20
history, her greatest achievement resides in the young people she has mentored and her 21
impact on Murray State University beyond the golf course. With heavy but full hearts, we 22
wish Velvet and Martin the absolute best on their journey ahead, and thank them both for 23
their dedication, sacrifice and love for Murray State University."; and 24
WHEREAS, the accomplishments of Velvet Milkman and her lasting impact on 25
Murray State University are worthy of public recognition and acclaim; 26
NOW, THEREFORE, 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 23 RS BR 1794
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Be it resolved by the Senate of the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of 1
Kentucky: 2
Section 1. The members of the Senate join Senator Jason Howell in applauding 3
the accomplishments of Murray State Women's Golf Coach Velvet Milkman over her 29-4
year career with the Racers, congratulating her on her retirement, and wishing her good 5
fortune in all future endeavors. 6
Section 2. The Clerk of the Senate shall transmit a copy of this Resolution to 7
Senator Jason Howell for presentation to Velvet Milkman. 8