H*3550 Resolution, By Goldfinch, Anderson, Clemmons, H.A. Crawford, Duckworth, 
George, Hardee, Hardwick, Hayes, Johnson and Ryhal
 A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO HONOR COACH CLIFF ELLIS ON HIS 150TH VICTORY AT COASTAL
 CAROLINA UNIVERSITY AND TO APPLAUD HIM ON BECOMING THE FIRST COACH IN NCAA
 DIVISION I MEN'S BASKETBALL HISTORY WITH AT LEAST 150 VICTORIES AT FOUR
 SEPARATE SCHOOLS.

   02/10/15  House  Introduced and adopted (House Journal-page 6)

TO HONOR COACH CLIFF ELLIS ON HIS 150TH VICTORY AT COASTAL CAROLINA UNIVERSITY AND TO APPLAUD HIM ON BECOMING THE FIRST COACH IN NCAA DIVISION I MEN'S BASKETBALL HISTORY WITH AT LEAST 150 VICTORIES AT FOUR SEPARATE SCHOOLS.

Whereas, on February 3, 2015, Coach Cliff Ellis of Coastal Carolina University hit two milestones: first, he captured his 150th victory at Coastal Carolina University at the Chanticleers' defeat of UNC Asheville 68-52 in a Big South Conference game; second, and in consequence of reaching the first milestone, he was honored as the first coach in NCAA Division I men's basketball history with at least 150 victories at four separate schools; and

Whereas, Coach Ellis's 150th victory with the Chanticleers joined his wins at South Alabama, Clemson, and Auburn to earn the coaching distinction. Now in his thirty-seventh season as a collegiate head coach, Coach Ellis has a record of 681-434; and

Whereas, a man of great personal humility, Coach Ellis deflects credit for his successes and gives full credit to all the players, assistant coaches, staff members, and athletic administrators who have helped him along the way; and

Whereas, Coach Ellis finds much satisfaction in watching his players mature as both athletes and men of character. As he expresses it, "That's what I feel like I've been blessed and set on this earth to do, and I try to do it to the best of my ability"; and

Whereas, Cliff Ellis came to coaching well prepared. He earned his bachelor's degree in physical education at Florida State in 1968 and his master's degree, also in physical education, from Middle Tennessee State in 1972; and

Whereas, he coached at South Alabama from the 1975-1976 season through the 1983-1984 season, compiling a record of 171-84, and then spent the next ten seasons at Clemson, going 193-142. He started a ten-season stay at Auburn during the 1994-1995 season and went 186-125 on the Plains. Coach Ellis is in his eighth season at Coastal Carolina, where he has a 150-95 record; and

Whereas, Cliff Ellis became a member of three halls of fame after entering Clemson's in 2013. He was already part of the Mobile (Alabama) Area Sports and Cumberland College halls of fame. He also was recently named the recipient of the 2014 Gene Bartow Award, which recognizes those who have made outstanding contributions to the game both on and off the court; and

Whereas, grateful for his dedication and excellence, the House of Representatives takes great pleasure in saluting Coach Cliff Ellis on his fine achievements. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, honor Coach Cliff Ellis on his 150th victory at Coastal Carolina University and applaud him on becoming the first coach in NCAA Division I men's basketball history with at least 150 victories at four separate schools.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be provided to Coach Cliff Ellis.