A house RESOLUTION

 

TO CONGRATULATE AND HONOR COACH KIP HERLONG OF LAKE VIEW HIGH SCHOOL FOR HIS HALL OF FAME CAREER OF THIRTY-TWO YEARS AS COACH AND MENTOR TO COUNTLESS STUDENT-ATHLETES, TO CONGRATULATE HIM ON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT, AND TO WISH HIM MUCH SUCCESS IN ALL HIS FUTURE ENDEAVORS.

 

Whereas, it is with great pleasure that the South Carolina House of Representatives honors those individuals who give tirelessly of themselves to educate and mentor the young people of this great State. Prominent in the roll call of such benefactors to our youth is Kip Herlong, Lake View High School's legendary head baseball coach, who is retiring at the end of the current season; and

 

Whereas, a native of Marion, Coach Herlong developed a love of baseball at an early age and became a standout at Marion High School under Coach Don Cribb. He continued at the college level, playing at Francis Marion University before beginning his coaching career; and

 

Whereas, Coach Herlong has recorded more than 600 career victories in baseball during his storied 32-year career, being only the third coach to reach that milestone in South Carolina High School League history. He holds the league record for consecutive victories, with 49 wins between 1999-2001; and

 

Whereas, the Wild Gators have claimed eight state championships in baseball under his leadership, including five in a row from 1997 to 2001, as well as fifteen region championships and twelve lower-state crowns. In  a career filled with memorable moments, his team's most recent state championship, from 2021, carries special meaning because his son, Kason, scored the championship-winning run; and

 

Whereas, Coach Herlong's talents led to his selection as a North-South All-Star game assistant in 2000 and head coach of the South team in 2006, and coach of the South Carolina's Select Team in 2013. In recognition of his tremendous accomplishments, Coach Herlong was named the South Carolina Baseball Coaches Association's overall coach of the year in 2001 and was inducted into the association's Hall of Fame in 2024; and

 

Whereas, for all of his coaching achievements, Coach Herlong's greatest professional success may be the positive impact he has had on the countless boys he has coached and mentored over the years, helping build character through lessons learned from sports. He has also found special enjoyment through coaching with his brother, Assistant Coach Chad Herlong, and in coaching his son, Kason; and

 

Whereas, as Coach Herlong begins a well-deserved retirement, he looks forward to cheering on Kason as he begins his college career, and enjoying more time with his wife, Liz, their daughters Taylor Newell and Morgan Callahan, and their sons-in-law and grandchildren; and

 

Whereas, grateful for Coach Kip Herlong's legacy of consistent commitment and excellence, the South Carolina House of Representatives takes great pleasure in wishing him well as he completes a distinguished baseball and football coaching career at Lake View High School. The members trust he will find much enjoyment in the more leisurely pace of the days ahead. Now, therefore,

 

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

 

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, congratulate and honor Coach Kip Herlong of Lake View High School for his Hall of Fame career of thirty-two years as coach and mentor to countless student-athletes, to congratulate him on the occasion of his retirement, and to wish him much success in all his future endeavors.

 

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Coach Kip Herlong.

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