A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

TO HONOR COACH GARY ADAMS FOR THE IMPACTFUL CONTRIBUTIONS HE HAS MADE ON THE LIVES OF THOSE IN HIS COMMUNITY AND TO CONGRATULATE HIM ON HIS PHENOMENAL WIN RECORD.

Whereas, the members of the General Assembly of South Carolina, upon being made aware of the significant impact Coach Gary Adams has made on the community of Anderson County, find it altogether fitting and proper that they pause in their deliberations to commend the stellar efforts and years of dedication Coach Adams has provided; and

Whereas, Gary Adams, son of Emma and F.C. "Pete" Adams, is a native of Bessemer City, North Carolina. He graduated from Bessemer City High School in 1965, where he was a basketball and baseball standout. Following his graduation from high school, Gary attended Anderson College in Anderson, where he continued to play basketball and baseball. He left Anderson College after receiving his Associate of Arts degree in 1967 and went on to attend the University of North Carolina at Asheville to continue his basketball career; and

Whereas, in 1969, he attained his Bachelor of Arts degree in history and later earned his Master of Education degree in school administration from Clemson University in 1974. He then began his teaching career at Westside High School in Anderson, where he coached girls' basketball. Gary began teaching and coaching at Crescent High School in 1976; and

Whereas, during his time as a basketball coach from 1977 until 1996, Gary racked up two State championships and three State runners-up; and

Whereas, Coach Adams began coaching softball in 1977. Throughout his forty years as a coach, in addition to his impressive number of wins, Gary has been honored with a multitude of awards. In 1991 and 2002, Gary was named National Softball Coach of the Year, and in 1996, the Gary D. Adams Softball Field was dedicated to him. He was inducted into the SCACA Hall of Fame in 1997 and the National Federation of High School Sports Hall of Fame in 2002. He also holds the State record for Most Wins in Softball; and

Whereas, Crescent High School has won thirty-one consecutive region championship titles under Coach Adams' experienced hand. Additionally, Crescent softball holds the national record for Most All-Time State Championships with nineteen and for Most Consecutive State Championships with eleven; and

Whereas, his cherished wife Kathy Elmore Adams has been a steady influence in his life, remaining faithfully by his side throughout every softball season for the past forty years. They have two wonderful daughters who have given them five precious grandchildren; and

Whereas, Gary and Kathy Adams have been the bedrock of Crescent softball for the entire life of the program, and symbolize the character, class, and success Crescent High strives for. The impact they have had on the community cannot be measured in wins and losses, but is instead measured in the influence they have had on so many young ladies, parents, and others over the years. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:

That the members of the South Carolina General Assembly, by this resolution, honor Coach Gary Adams for the impactful contributions he has made on the lives of those in his community and congratulate him on his phenomenal win record.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Coach Gary Adams.