H.R. No. 109
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Mitch Thompson of McLennan Community College has
been named the 2021 National Junior College Athletic Association
Division I Coach of the Year by the American Baseball Coaches
Association after leading the Highlanders to the national
championship; and
WHEREAS, This notable accolade follows an unforgettable
season in which the Highlanders finished with an overall record of
47-16 and claimed conference and regional titles before earning
their first NJCAA national championship in 38 years; Coach Thompson
was also named the Bus Bergman Coach of the Tournament after the
team's exciting postseason run that ended with a 7-3 victory over
Central Arizona College on June 4; and
WHEREAS, Since taking the helm at McLennan Community College
in 2014, Coach Thompson has established himself as one of the top
coaches in the nation; he has helped the Highlanders tally more than
300 wins and make three trips to the World Series, including a
runner-up finish in 2015 and a fifth-place showing in 2017; many of
his players have advanced to play for NCAA Division I programs, and
he was honored in 2015 as the Region V Coach of the Year and as the
Waco Tribune-Herald Sportsman of the Year after guiding McLennan to
its first regional championship in 32 years; in addition, his
athletes have excelled in the classroom, earning multiple NJCAA
All-Academic Team accolades; and
WHEREAS, Coach Thompson played baseball while pursuing his
bachelor's degree at Fort Hays State University, and he went on to
coach at Radford University, Auburn University, and Mississippi
State University, where he received his master's degree in 1991;
from 1995 to 2012, he was the hitting instructor and recruiting
coordinator at Baylor University, helping the Bears to collect
three Big 12 titles and to make an appearance in the 2005 College
World Series; he was honored as the 2006 ABCA National Assistant
Coach of the Year, and prior to taking charge of the Highlanders, he
served as a scout for the Kansas City Royals; in all his endeavors,
he enjoys the love and support of his wife, Amber, and his
daughters, Mary Conley and Caroline; and
WHEREAS, Through his leadership and expertise, Mitch
Thompson is building a tradition of baseball excellence at McLennan
Community College, and he is indeed deserving of this prestigious
award; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 87th Texas
Legislature, 2nd Called Session, hereby congratulate Mitch
Thompson on his selection as the 2021 NJCAA Division I Coach of the
Year and extend to him sincere best wishes for the future; and, be
it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Coach Thompson as an expression of high regard by the
Texas House of Representatives.
Kacal
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 109 was adopted by the House on
September 2, 2021, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House