WHEREAS, Larry Vickers, head coach of the Norfolk State University women's basketball team, was selected as the 2023–2024 Coach of the Year for the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference after leading the team to a regular season title and its first conference tournament victory since 2002; and

WHEREAS, a graduate of Norfolk State University (NSU), Larry Vickers was a team captain of the men's basketball team and helped lead a significant improvement of the team's overall academic performance as a player; and

WHEREAS, Larry Vickers began his coaching career as an assistant with the men's basketball team, then became an associate head coach for three years; he joined the women's basketball team as interim head coach near the end of the 2015–2016 season and led the team to its only three victories that year; and

WHEREAS, Larry Vickers has played a vital role in the growth and development of NSU's women's basketball program and has led the team to the most successful period of its Division I era; and

WHEREAS, in 2022–2023, Larry Vickers earned Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Coach of the Year honors after a season that saw the NSU Spartans go 26–7 overall and 11–3 in conference play, while winning the regular season title and making an appearance in the national tournament; and

WHEREAS, Larry Vickers repeated as Coach of the Year in 2023–2024 by guiding the NSU Spartans to another MEAC regular season title, a MEAC tournament title, and a 92.9 percent winning percentage in conference play, the best in program history; and

WHEREAS, emphasizing a staunch defense, Larry Vickers helped the NSU Spartans earn national accolades for their overall scoring defense and their skill in forcing turnovers; he has earned the respect and admiration of the team by treating players as individuals and adapting his coaching style to meet their needs and help each of them achieve their fullest potential; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That Larry Vickers, head coach of the Norfolk State University women's basketball team, hereby be commended on the occasion of his selection as the 2023–2024 Coach of the Year for the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Larry Vickers as an expression of the House of Delegates' admiration for his outstanding achievements.