ENROLLED
2019 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 298
BY REPRESENTATIVE GAINES
A RESOLUTION
To commend the Southern University baseball team upon winning the 2019 Southwestern
Athletic Conference Western Division championship.
WHEREAS, the Southern University Jaguars baseball team opened the 2019 season
with a perfect 3-0 record in the Andre Dawson Classic by defeating Florida A&M,
Grambling State, and Alcorn State; with triumphs over Eastern Illinois, Northwestern State,
Memphis, Southern University New Orleans, and nationally ranked Louisiana State
University, the Jaguars's season culminated in the program's first Southwestern Athletic
Conference (SWAC) Western Division title; the 2019 win over LSU was the first one at
Southern's home field in the series between the Tigers and the SU Jaguars; and
WHEREAS, with a conference record of 17-6 and a first place finish in the Western
Division, Southern University's Jaguars entered the SWAC tournament at Wesley Barrow
Stadium as the No. 1 seed; six players were named to All-SWAC teams, four of whom made
the first team; with a record of 4-0 and seven saves during the regular season, Connor
Whalen received the Relief Pitcher of the Year Award; and third baseman Tyler LaPorte was
co-Player of the Year and made the first team All-SWAC; LaPorte also was named by
Collegiate Baseball to the All American third team; and
WHEREAS, in his second season as head coach, Kerrick Jackson guided the
Southern University baseball team in a remarkable turnaround; the Jaguars went from a total
of nine wins in 2018 to thirty-two wins in 2019; the team earned its first SWAC Western
Division title since 2012, and Coach Jackson was named 2019 SWAC Coach of the Year;
and
WHEREAS, it is appropriate to recognize the well-deserved title the Southern
University Jaguars have earned; to commend the team for the ability it has displayed,
particularly at the most difficult level of competition; and to express sincere and heartfelt
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congratulations to the team members and coaching staff for the merits earned and the
sportsmanship shown while achieving a crowning moment in Southwestern Athletic
Conference baseball and attaining the highest honor possible for Southern University.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
Legislature of Louisiana does hereby commend and congratulate the athletes and coaches
of the Southern University Jaguars baseball team upon winning the 2019 Southwestern
Athletic Conference Western Division championship, capping off a truly spectacular season,
and does hereby recognize the team's outstanding performance and the pride and honor it has
brought to its school and community.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to Head
Coach Kerrick Jackson.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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