H.R. No. 1877
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Former University of Houston basketball coach Guy V.
Lewis is receiving the ultimate accolade from his peers with his
enshrinement in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as a
member of the Class of 2013; and
WHEREAS, A native Texan who was born in Arp, Guy Lewis began
his involvement with University of Houston basketball as a player,
serving as a team captain and helping the Cougars win two Lone Star
Conference championships before graduating in 1947; he returned to
his alma mater in 1953 as an assistant coach and moved up to the head
coaching position three years later; and
WHEREAS, Over the course of the next three decades, Coach
Lewis led his Cougar teams to 592 victories, 5 NCAA Final Four
appearances, and 14 NCAA tournament berths, and his squads also
tallied 2 regular season championships and 4 tournament titles
against their Southwest Conference foes; moreover, this brilliant
coach became a well-known basketball personality, famous for the
trademark red polka-dot towel that he clutched during games; and
WHEREAS, Coach Lewis pushed collegiate basketball into the
national spotlight when he suggested that the Cougars' 1968 game
against hoops powerhouse UCLA and its star, Lew Alcindor, be played
at the Astrodome; UH prevailed 71-69 in what was billed as the Game
of the Century, and the contest drew what was, at that time, the
largest number of ticket buyers and the biggest television audience
to ever witness a basketball game; and
WHEREAS, Possessing an exceptional ability to recognize and
recruit basketball talent, he coached 15 players who went on to
become All-Americans, including such greats as Elvin Hayes, Hakeem
Olajuwon, and Clyde Drexler, and 29 of his Cougar athletes were
selected in the NBA draft; demonstrating admirable leadership as
well, he played an important role in the early integration of
college basketball by granting scholarships to Mr. Hayes, Don
Chaney, and other African American players; and
WHEREAS, The "Phi Slama Jama" teams of the early 1980s were a
highlight of Coach Lewis's career; capitalizing on his players'
superb athleticism, he orchestrated a freewheeling offense that
exhilarated fans and often culminated in rim-rattling dunks; the
team played in two NCAA championship games during its run of three
consecutive Final Four appearances, and its lineup included not
only Mr. Olajuwon and Mr. Drexler but also Michael Young, Larry
Micheaux, Rob Williams, Reid Gettys, Ricky Winslow, Greg Anderson,
Alvin Franklin, and Benny Anders; and
WHEREAS, Widely respected for his accomplishments, Coach
Lewis garnered national Coach of the Year honors in 1968 and 1983
and received the inaugural Don Haskins Texas Lifetime Achievement
Award from the Houston Athletic Committee; in addition, UH has
recognized his importance to the university by inducting him into
its Hall of Honor and naming the Hofheinz Pavilion basketball floor
Guy V. Lewis Court; and
WHEREAS, A coach of rare ability, Guy Lewis guided his teams
to notable success on the court and contributed to several
important advancements in college athletics, and he is indeed
deserving of a place alongside the legendary figures who have left
an indelible imprint on the game of basketball; now, therefore, be
it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas
Legislature hereby congratulate Guy V. Lewis on his enshrinement in
the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and extend to him
sincere best wishes for continued happiness; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Coach Lewis as an expression of high regard by the
Texas House of Representatives.
Coleman
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 1877 was adopted by the House on May
15, 2013, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House