SR353: SR353 Valdosta State University Football Team; congratulate

This resolution from the Georgia Senate honors the Valdosta State University football team for its 2024 season. The team won its 11th Gulf South Conference Championship, the most of any school in that conference's history, and captured the Super Region Two Title before advancing to the NCAA Division II National Championship Game. The resolution recounts the team's record of 13 wins and one loss, its 20th appearance in the NCAA postseason, and several individual honors including quarterback Sammy Edwards being named a finalist for the Harlon Hill Award. It formally congratulates the team and directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare a copy of the resolution for distribution to the team. Resolutions like this one do not change Georgia law; they are ceremonial statements adopted by the Senate.

• Formally congratulates the Valdosta State University football team for its 2024 Gulf South Conference Championship and Super Region Two Title.
• Recognizes the team's run to the NCAA Division II National Championship Game and its 13-1 season record.
• Directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare a copy of the resolution for distribution to the football team.
• Extends the Senate's best wishes to the team for continued success, without creating any new law or funding.

The resolution directly names the Valdosta State University football team, its coaches and players, including quarterback Sammy Edwards, and the university itself. It also involves the Secretary of the Senate, who is tasked with distributing a copy of the resolution to the team.

The resolution carries no legal or financial effect; it is a public, formal statement of recognition from the Georgia Senate. Its main real-world effect is symbolic, giving the team and university official acknowledgment of their athletic achievements from the state legislature.

• The whereas clauses recount the team's history, including nine national championships and 57 Gulf South Conference titles across sports.
• The resolved clause formally congratulates the team for the 2024 Gulf South Conference Championship, Super Region Two Title, and NCAA title game appearance.
• A further resolved clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to make a copy of the resolution available for distribution to the team.
• The resolution does not set an effective date or allocate funding, consistent with its ceremonial nature.

1. 2025-03-10Senate Read and Adopted (Senate)
2. 2025-03-06Senate Hopper (Senate)

• Russ Goodman (R, SD-008)Primary sponsor
• Carden Summers (R, SD-013)
• Sam Watson (R, SD-011)
• Drew Echols (R, SD-049)
• Billy Hickman (R, SD-004)
• Freddie Sims (D, SD-012)
• Mike Hodges (R, SD-003)

• Valdosta State University
• college football
• NCAA Division II
• Georgia Senate resolutions
• Gulf South Conference