MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE 2025 Regular Session To: Rules By: Representative Lamar House Resolution 125 A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING MARK CARSON, BASEBALL COACH AT NORTHWEST MISSISSIPPI COMMUNITY COLLEGE, ON BECOMING THE WINNINGEST COACH IN THE BASEBALL PROGRAM'S HISTORY. WHEREAS, Mark Carson, Baseball Coach at Northwest Mississippi Community College in Senatobia, Mississippi, phenomenally etched his name into the educational institution's record books on March 19, 2025, when the Rangers clinched an incredibly close 7-6 victory at Mississippi Delta Community College, making Coach Carson the all-time winningest coach in Rangers' baseball history with his 557th career win; and WHEREAS, a four-year letterman in baseball and three-year letter-winner in football and basketball at Independence High School, Mark Carson, named team MVP in all three sports during his senior year, was highly regarded by the Independence student body, being elected senior class president and Mr. IHS; and WHEREAS, after graduating from high school, student-athlete Mark Carson began his nearly lifelong relationship with Northwest Mississippi Community College in 1987 when he joined the Rangers' baseball program, where he was a two-time all-state selection, playing in the JUCO All-Star Game, and elected team captain in his sophomore year and selected as a National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Academic All-American; and WHEREAS, in 1989, Mark transferred to The University of Southern Mississippi and continued his outstanding performance on the mound with the Golden Eagles, amassing the second most wins in USM single-season history with an 11-2 record his senior year and being named team captain, National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) All-American, and to the 1991 All-Metro Conference Commissioner's List; and WHEREAS, Mark Carson signed a free agent contract to play with the Cincinnati Reds in 1991, but after one season with its minor league affiliate, he transitioned from exceptional player to the start of his storied career as a baseball coach when he became the head baseball coach and defensive coordinator at Briarcrest Christian School in Memphis, where in six seasons, he led the baseball team to the District 15AA Championship title and was twice named District Coach of the Year, prompting the school to later induct him into the Briarcrest Hall of Fame; and WHEREAS, in 1998, Coach Carsons' baseball world came full circle with his return to Northwest as assistant coach for the Rangers, a position he held for eight seasons during which he helped lead the team to a 271-120-4 record along with Head Coach Donny Castle, capturing four north division championships and a state championship in 2000 before ultimately rising to the helm of the organization in 2006; and WHEREAS, now in his 20th season as the head of the Northwest baseball program, Coach Carson, seemingly born to spend his life on the baseball diamond, and his staff have been instrumental in developing players and helping them get to the next level, both collegiately and professionally, with 146 moving onto four-year schools and 17 being drafted by Major League Baseball during his tenure; and WHEREAS, to celebrate the once-in-a-lifetime achievement of becoming a program's all-time winningest coach, Coach Carson was presented with a commemorative bat from his former Northwest coach, Jim Miles, who previously held the record with 556 victories claimed during his 1976-1997 tenure, Northwest President Dr. Michael J. Heindl, former Northwest baseball coach Donny Castle, and Northwest athletic director Jake Gordon in pregame ceremonies before a March 22 doubleheader capping off a "Day of Celebration" featuring BBQ, blues and baseball; and WHEREAS, throughout his career, Coach Carson has always been lovingly supported on the field and beyond by his most loyal fans, his wife, Shelia, and their daughter, Hadley; and WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize and honor extraordinary Mississippians such as Northwest Mississippi Community College Baseball Coach Mark Carson, whose epic accomplishments and legacy as an exceptional coach, inspirational mentor and talented athlete bring great pride and honor to his family, hometown of Independence, the Northwest Mississippi Community College family and the entire Magnolia State: NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Mark Carson, Baseball Coach at Northwest Mississippi Community College, on becoming the winningest coach in the baseball program's history and extend to him our sincerest wishes for many more wins and continued success in all his future endeavors. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Coach Mark Carson, Northwest Mississippi Community College and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2025 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Representative Lamar
# House Resolution 125
A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING MARK CARSON, BASEBALL COACH AT NORTHWEST MISSISSIPPI COMMUNITY COLLEGE, ON BECOMING THE WINNINGEST COACH IN THE BASEBALL PROGRAM'S HISTORY.
WHEREAS, Mark Carson, Baseball Coach at Northwest Mississippi Community College in Senatobia, Mississippi, phenomenally etched his name into the educational institution's record books on March 19, 2025, when the Rangers clinched an incredibly close 7-6 victory at Mississippi Delta Community College, making Coach Carson the all-time winningest coach in Rangers' baseball history with his 557th career win; and
WHEREAS, a four-year letterman in baseball and three-year letter-winner in football and basketball at Independence High School, Mark Carson, named team MVP in all three sports during his senior year, was highly regarded by the Independence student body, being elected senior class president and Mr. IHS; and
WHEREAS, after graduating from high school, student-athlete Mark Carson began his nearly lifelong relationship with Northwest Mississippi Community College in 1987 when he joined the Rangers' baseball program, where he was a two-time all-state selection, playing in the JUCO All-Star Game, and elected team captain in his sophomore year and selected as a National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Academic All-American; and
WHEREAS, in 1989, Mark transferred to The University of Southern Mississippi and continued his outstanding performance on the mound with the Golden Eagles, amassing the second most wins in USM single-season history with an 11-2 record his senior year and being named team captain, National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) All-American, and to the 1991 All-Metro Conference Commissioner's List; and
WHEREAS, Mark Carson signed a free agent contract to play with the Cincinnati Reds in 1991, but after one season with its minor league affiliate, he transitioned from exceptional player to the start of his storied career as a baseball coach when he became the head baseball coach and defensive coordinator at Briarcrest Christian School in Memphis, where in six seasons, he led the baseball team to the District 15AA Championship title and was twice named District Coach of the Year, prompting the school to later induct him into the Briarcrest Hall of Fame; and
WHEREAS, in 1998, Coach Carsons' baseball world came full circle with his return to Northwest as assistant coach for the Rangers, a position he held for eight seasons during which he helped lead the team to a 271-120-4 record along with Head Coach Donny Castle, capturing four north division championships and a state championship in 2000 before ultimately rising to the helm of the organization in 2006; and
WHEREAS, now in his 20th season as the head of the Northwest baseball program, Coach Carson, seemingly born to spend his life on the baseball diamond, and his staff have been instrumental in developing players and helping them get to the next level, both collegiately and professionally, with 146 moving onto four-year schools and 17 being drafted by Major League Baseball during his tenure; and
WHEREAS, to celebrate the once-in-a-lifetime achievement of becoming a program's all-time winningest coach, Coach Carson was presented with a commemorative bat from his former Northwest coach, Jim Miles, who previously held the record with 556 victories claimed during his 1976-1997 tenure, Northwest President Dr. Michael J. Heindl, former Northwest baseball coach Donny Castle, and Northwest athletic director Jake Gordon in pregame ceremonies before a March 22 doubleheader capping off a "Day of Celebration" featuring BBQ, blues and baseball; and
WHEREAS, throughout his career, Coach Carson has always been lovingly supported on the field and beyond by his most loyal fans, his wife, Shelia, and their daughter, Hadley; and
WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize and honor extraordinary Mississippians such as Northwest Mississippi Community College Baseball Coach Mark Carson, whose epic accomplishments and legacy as an exceptional coach, inspirational mentor and talented athlete bring great pride and honor to his family, hometown of Independence, the Northwest Mississippi Community College family and the entire Magnolia State:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Mark Carson, Baseball Coach at Northwest Mississippi Community College, on becoming the winningest coach in the baseball program's history and extend to him our sincerest wishes for many more wins and continued success in all his future endeavors.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Coach Mark Carson, Northwest Mississippi Community College and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.