2017 Second Extraordinary Session ENROLLED
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 5
BY SENATOR BISHOP
A RESOLUTION
To commend Dr. Artis M. Davenport II on his many accomplishments.
WHEREAS, Dr. Artis M. Davenport II is a native of Monroe, Louisiana; and
WHEREAS, he graduated from Monroe Colored High School in 1944 and in the fall
of that year, enrolled at Tuskegee Institute in Tuskegee, Alabama, as a regular student; and
WHEREAS, in 1946, Dr. Davenport was drafted into the United States Army and
after serving in Japan for a year, he returned to Tuskegee and joined the football team,
earning his letter as a fullback and linebacker; and
WHEREAS, he received his Bachelor of Science in physical education/health and
social studies from Tuskegee Institute in 1950; and
WHEREAS, he also attended Louisiana State University (LSU) in Baton Rouge,
Louisiana, where he earned a Master of Science in physical education/education
administration in 1955 and a Doctor of Education in physical education/educational
administration in 1971; and
WHEREAS, he began his teaching career as a social studies and physical education
instructor at Carrie Martin Elementary and High School in Plain Dealing, Louisiana, and
also served as athletic director, head football coach, and head basketball coach; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Davenport began his college coaching career at Alcorn State
University in Lorman, Mississippi, where he served as line coach in football and head track
coach, leading the track teams to the conference championships each year during his
tenure; and
WHEREAS, he was also employed at Dillard University in New Orleans, Louisiana,
where he served as backfield coach in football, junior varsity basketball coach, and head
track coach, leading the track team to the conference championship; and
WHEREAS, in 1961, Dr. Davenport transferred to Southern University at New
Orleans (SUNO) where he was hired as assistant professor of physical education; and
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WHEREAS, SUNO did not have an athletic program at that time, and beginning with
teams comprised of athletes from the intramural program, the university competed and
fought for approval of an athletic program for twelve years before being approved in
1972; and
WHEREAS, in addition to serving as track coach for thirty-eight years,
Dr. Davenport also served as director of men's physical education and as intramural director
for nine years, project director for the National Youth Sports Program for ten years,
chairman of the Health, Physical Education and Recreation Department for twenty-eight
years, director of athletics for eighteen years, and the university graduation marshal for
thirty-four years; and
WHEREAS, under his leadership, the track teams at SUNO won seven national track
and field championships, and he developed forty individual national track champions, ten
national track relay championship teams, nine track and field Olympians, and one hundred
seventy-eight track and field All-Americans; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Davenport was named National Coach of the Year four times by the
National Association for Intercollegiate Athletics and three times by the National Collegiate
Athletic Association (NCAA), and had an impressive graduation rate of more than ninety
percent when his athletes competed for three or more years; and
WHEREAS, he retired from SUNO in 1999, and in 2000, began working at
Bethune-Cookman College as a part-time assistant track coach, and was appointed head
coach of the women's bowling team in 2004-2005, winning the Mid-Eastern Athletic
Conference championship and finishing fourth in the NCAA national bowling
championship; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Davenport has been inducted into several halls of fame, including
the Greater New Orleans Sports Hall of Fame, the Tuskegee University Athletic Hall of
Fame, and the SUNO Hall of Fame; and
WHEREAS, his teaching and coaching experience at the collegiate level spans
forty-eight years; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Davenport has been the recipient of numerous awards, including
coach of the year honors by the NAIA for men and women athletic teams in multiple years,
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the certificate of appreciation from the Southern University Board of Supervisors for
thirty-five years of outstanding and dedicated service to SUNO, an honors plaque from the
Nokia Sugar Bowl for outstanding achievement, a certificate of merit from the city of New
Orleans for outstanding service, and was presented with a proclamation from the New
Orleans City Council for thirty-four years of exemplary leadership and dedication in track
and field; and
WHEREAS, he has been a member of several professional organizations, including
the Louisiana Association for Health, Physical Education and Recreation, National
Association of Intercollegiate Athletics, National Association of Intercollegiate
Athletics-Athletics Directors Association, American Alliance of Health, Physical Education,
Recreation and Dance, United States Track Coaches Association, National Association of
Collegiate Directors of Athletics, and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.; and
WHEREAS, in addition to his many achievements in teaching and coaching,
Dr. Artis M. Davenport II has earned the respect and admiration of countless citizens whose
lives he has touched; and
WHEREAS, the success of the state of Louisiana, the strength of our communities,
and the overall vitality of American society depends, in great measure, upon the dedication
of people like Dr. Artis M. Davenport II; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Artis M. Davenport II merits the highest commendation and most
sincere congratulations upon his accomplishments and achievements as a coach and
educator.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
does hereby commend and congratulate Dr. Artis M. Davenport II on his many
accomplishments and does hereby wish him continued success in all future endeavors.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to
Dr. Artis M. Davenport II.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
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