[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 88 (Wednesday, June 3, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E834]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING COACH DAVEY ``THE WIZ'' WHITNEY

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 3, 2015

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize 
the life and legacy of a man who touched the lives of many throughout 
the states of Texas, Kentucky, and Mississippi. He recently passed away 
on May 10, 2015 in his home.
  Davey Whitney was born in the small town of Midway, Kentucky on 
January 8, 1930. He later moved to Lexington, Kentucky where he 
discovered his passion for basketball and joined his high school team 
as the point guard. There he led his team into tournaments for two 
consecutive years. He went on to graduate from Kentucky State 
University in 1952.
  A seasoned basketball player, Whitney became the head coach of Texas 
Southern University. Subsequently he served as the head coach of Alcorn 
State University, which is located in Lorman, Mississippi, from 1969 to 
1989 and later from 1996 to 2003. Under his leadership, they made 
national history in 1980 for being the first historically black college 
or university to win a game in the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball 
Championship. Rising in the midst of such a groundbreaking achievement, 
Whitney became nationally known as ``The Wiz''.
  A teacher, mentor, and sometimes revered as a father to the Alcorn 
Braves, Whitney was inducted into the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame 
in 1991. He was also inducted into the College Basketball Hall of Fame 
in 2010. Alcorn State University dedicated the Davey Whitney Complex 
basketball gym in his honor.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and my colleagues join me in celebrating 
the life and legacy of Coach Davey Whitney. His uncompromising 
commitment to diligence has paved the way for the entire Black 
community. Although he is no longer with us, Davey Whitney, ``The Wiz'' 
will forever be etched in the hearts of Mississippians.

                          ____________________