HR410: HR410 Mercer Bears football team; exceptional 2024 season, Southern Conference championship, and their contributions to athletic excellence and school pride; commend

25 LC 129 0151 House Resolution 410 By: Representatives Herring of the 145th, Jones of the 143rd, Reeves of the 99th, Crowe of the 118th, Hong of the 103rd, and others A RESOLUTION Commending the Mercer Bears football team for their exceptional 2024 season, their1 Southern Conference championship, and their contributions to athletic excellence and school2 pride; and for other purposes.3 WHEREAS, the Mercer Bears football team concluded their 2024 season with an impressive4 overall record of 11–3, finishing as champions of the Southern Conference (SoCon) with a5 7–1 conference record; and6 WHEREAS, under the leadership of first-year Head Coach Mike Jac obs, the Bears7 demonstrated remarkable teamwork, determination, and skill, adv ancing to the NCAA8 Division I FCS playoffs and competing valiantly in the quarterfinals; and9 WHEREAS, the Bears achieved an undefeated 7–0 record at home, r eflecting their10 dominance at Five Star Stadium and their commitment to excellence in front of their fans;11 and12 WHEREAS, several members of the Mercer Bears football team were recognized for their13 outstanding performances, including TJ Moore, who was named a unanimous All-American14 by the FCS Athletic Directors Association; Brayden Manley, who was named to the second15 H. R. 410 - 1 - 25 LC 129 0151 team of the Stats Perform FCS All-America team; Myles Redding, who was named to the16 second team of the Stats Perform FCS All-America team; and Bray den Smith, who was17 named to the third team of the Stats Perform FCS All-America team; and18 WHEREAS, the success of the Mercer Bears football program bring s pride to Mercer19 University, including its students, faculty, and alumni, as wel l as the greater Macon-Bibb20 community, highlighting the values of discipline, sportsmanship, and perseverance.21 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that22 the members of this body commend the Mercer Bears football team for their exceptional23 2024 season, their Southern Conference championship, and their inspiring contributions to24 the community and collegiate athletics.25 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the members of this body recognize Coach Mike Jacobs26 for his leadership in his first year as head coach, the players for their dedication and hard27 work, and Mercer University for its ongoing commitment to athle tic and academic28 excellence.29 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized30 and directed to make appropriate copies of this resolution available for distribution to Coach31 Mike Jacobs, the Mercer Bears football team, and Mercer University.32 H. R. 410 - 2 -