82R13671 RYA-D
By: Marquez H.R. No. 1113
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The YMCA of El Paso is hosting the inaugural Don
Haskins Memorial Youth Basketball Tournament on May 13-15, 2011;
and
WHEREAS, The event is named in honor of Coach Don "the Bear"
Haskins, an El Paso sports icon who led The University of Texas at
El Paso basketball team for 38 years; he is best known for leading
the Miners to the NCAA championship in 1966, when he made history by
being the first coach to start five African American players in a
championship game; the team's success helped further the
integration of college basketball, changing the sport forever;
Coach Haskins was later inducted into the Naismith Memorial
Basketball Hall of Fame; and
WHEREAS, Expected to draw nearly 320 club teams from
throughout the state and beyond, the tournament will have a
double-elimination format that guarantees each team at least three
games; much talent is expected to be on display, and organizers have
invited college coaches and recruiters to attend; proceeds from the
event will go toward funding local YMCA youth activities and
sports; and
WHEREAS, Highly anticipated by the community, the inaugural
Don Haskins Memorial Youth Basketball Tournament will serve as a
showcase for West Texas basketball talent, while paying tribute to
a man who mentored countless young people and helped further racial
equality in the sports world; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas
Legislature hereby commemorate the Don Haskins Memorial Youth
Basketball Tournament and extend to the YMCA of El Paso sincere best
wishes for a successful event; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for the organization as an expression of high regard by the
Texas House of Representatives.