H.R. No. 2367
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Shaka Smart was named the head basketball coach of
The University of Texas at Austin on April 2, 2015, and his arrival
signals the start of an exciting new era for the Longhorns; and
WHEREAS, A native of Madison, Wisconsin, Mr. Smart proved
himself a gifted athlete at a young age; he lettered in basketball
for three years at Oregon High School, and he went on to play for
four years as a point guard at Kenyon College, becoming the school's
single-season and career assists leader and being selected for the
All-Conference Team and the USA Today All-USA Academic Team; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Smart began his coaching career as an assistant
at California University of Pennsylvania in 1999 and was
subsequently appointed the director of basketball operations at the
University of Dayton; he later served as an assistant coach at the
University of Akron, Clemson University, and the University of
Florida before being hired as head coach at Virginia Commonwealth
University in 2009; and
WHEREAS, During his six-year tenure at VCU, he instituted the
team's "havoc" style of play, characterized by full-court pressure
and transition offense; he compiled a stellar record of 163 wins and
56 losses and guided the team to a .700 or better winning percentage
in each of his seasons at the helm; moreover, the squad rose to
national prominence by clinching the 2010 College Basketball
Invitational championship and advancing to the 2011 NCAA Division I
Final Four after entering the tournament as a number 11 seed; and
WHEREAS, In all of his endeavors, Mr. Smart is blessed with
the love and support of his wife of nine years, the former Maya
Payne, and he takes tremendous pride in their daughter, Zora Sanae;
and
WHEREAS, Shaka Smart will now put his extensive experience to
work in guiding the UT basketball program, and the university's
students, alumni, and supporters are justifiably excited to welcome
this proven leader into the Longhorn family; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas
Legislature hereby recognize Shaka Smart as an honorary Texan and
extend to him sincere best wishes for success in the years ahead;
and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Coach Smart as an expression of high regard by the
Texas House of Representatives.
Israel
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 2367 was adopted by the House on May
21, 2015, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House