89R17397 KSM-D
By: Simmons H.R. No. 482
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Over the course of an outstanding career that has
spanned more than a half century, Winfred A. Simmons has greatly
distinguished himself as an athletics coach at schools in East
Texas; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Simmons first began working as a coach in 1966
at Ralph Bunche High School in Crockett; he held various positions
with the basketball, football, and track programs, helping the
school to win state championships in basketball and track as well as
several district titles; and
WHEREAS, In 1974, he took a job in the Lufkin Independent
School District, where he continues to work today; after serving as
an assistant football coach and head basketball coach at Junior
High East for four years, Mr. Simmons joined the staff at Lufkin
High School in 1977; in the decades since, he has been an integral
part of Panther athletics, coaching young competitors in numerous
sports; and
WHEREAS, In football, Coach Simmons has been part of the
Panthers' gridiron program for 40 years, serving as an assistant
for the varsity team and as head coach and assistant coach for the
junior varsity squad; in basketball, he was an assistant with the
boys' team, including during the Panthers' state championship
season in 1979, and head coach of the girls' team from 2006 to 2014,
when Lufkin made seven playoff appearances and advanced as far as
the regional finals; moreover, he has served as head coach of the
boys' and girls' track teams and the powerlifting team and has been
an assistant coach in both sports as well; and
WHEREAS, In addition to his achievements at Lufkin High,
Coach Simmons guided football, basketball, and track teams at the
junior high level from 1996 to 2006, and his athletes collected
numerous district titles; throughout his career, he has also
frequently taken on the responsibility of driving the van or bus for
away games; and
WHEREAS, Through his dedication and leadership, Winfred
Simmons has been an inspiring mentor and role model to generations
of young athletes, and he is indeed deserving of recognition for his
exceptional record of service; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 89th Texas
Legislature hereby honor Winfred A. Simmons for his contributions
as a school athletics coach 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 Simmons as an expression of high regard by the
Texas House of Representatives.