More than a dozen local and statewide public officials joined in “Celebrity Game Hoops” during Jackson State University’s Local and Statewide Public Officials Night held Monday at the JSU/Texas Southern University women’s and men’s basketball games.
A mixed roster of alumni team players from the Jackson City Council joined forces with Mississippi House and Senate members to take on an aggressive team of JSU students from the Student Government Association and other student activity groups.
Teams squared off against each other and played a tempered 8-minute scrimmage with substitutions from both sides. An electrifying showcase of 2-point scoring with at least two 3-point attempted shots kept the crowd cheering. The student players were also surprised by the talented challenge from the cadre of public officials, most of whom are over 50.
Secret weapons for the games were the coaches who dominated play on both sides of the hardwood.
JSU President Dr. Carolyn W. Meyers led the mixed State team of Mississippi House and Senate members to victory with top scoring from Rep. Toby Barker (House District 102) along with Jackson’s Ward 6 Councilman Tyrone Hendrix, JSU class of ’06.
A combined team of Senate members and students coached by Dr. Mary M. White, interim vice president of Institutional Advancement, competed valiantly with much depth on the floor and bench.
Honorable mention goes to Sens. David Blount (District 29), Sollie Norwood (JSU class of ’77, District 28) and Hillman Frazier (Class of ’71, District 27) who made for a moderate transition and team scoring.
Inclement weather prevented several legislators from attending as they were dismissed from the Capitol to return to their northern districts affected by icy roads. But, the atmosphere was a warm one charged with the cheers from Rep. Deborah Butler Dixon of Hinds County (District 63) and Rep. Adrienne Wooten of Hinds and Rankin Counties (District 71).
The following roster of local and statewide officials attended and participated in last night’s game and engagement with students and fans:
— Sen. David Blount, District 29, Hinds County
— Sen. Hillman Frazier, District 27, Hinds County
— Sen. Kenneth Wayne Jones, District 21, Attala, Holmes, Madison & Yazoo Counties
— Sen. Sollie Norwood, District 28, Hinds County
— Sen. Derrick Simmons, District 12, Bolivar & Washington Counties
— Rep. Earle Banks, District 67, Hinds County
— Rep. Toby Barker, District 102, Forrest & Lamar Counties
— Rep. Credell Calhoun, District 68, Hinds County
— Rep. Jim Evans, District 70, Hinds County
— Rep. John Hines, District 50, Washington County
— Rep. Gregory Holloway, Sr., District 76, Claiborne, Copiah & Hinds County
— Rep. Rufus Straughter, District 51, Humphrey, Issaquena, Sharkey, Washington and Yazoo Counties
Local and Statewide Public Officials Night is one of many varied initiatives included in JSU’s State and Local Government program designed to bring government to the University campus. The overall mission and goal of State and Local Government is to engage students and our University family with our local and statewide electorate while showcasing the JSU academy and enterprise.
For more information, contact Dr. White at 601.979.2281 or Mary.m.white@jsums.edu.