Rick Barnes honored at State Capitol
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The Tennessee males’s basketball staff was acknowledged within the Home Chamber on Monday after probably the greatest seasons in program historical past.
Adam Sparks, USA TODAY NETWORK – Tennessee
Rick Barnes entered the State Capitol Home Chamber like a governor and exited like a beloved basketball coach. For now, he’s the latter.
Barnes, the Tennessee basketball coach, acquired a standing ovation from the Tennessee Common Meeting Monday afternoon. He posed for pictures, spoke briefly and acquired a framed copy of a decision.
Senate Joint Decision 403 was learn aloud, praising the “teaching genius of Rick Barnes.â€Â
After a couple of minutes, Barnes acknowledged extra applause and headed for the again door. However his departure was halted by glad-handing lawmakers donning orange ties and blazers and attendees wanting autographs on UT Vols shirts and hats they introduced into the chamber.
Tennessee males’s school basketball coach Rick Barnes indicators autographs after being honored throughout a joint conference on the state Capitol constructing in Nashville, Tenn., Monday, April 29, 2019. (Picture: Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean)
It was an uncommon setting for a basketball coach, particularly as protesters of Gov. Invoice Lee’s controversial faculty voucher laws picketed the foyer and crammed the gallery.
However all politics apart, it was Barnes’ second within the state legislature.ÂÂ
“It’s at all times nice to be again (on the State Capitol) as a result of it means we’ve achieved one thing good,†Barnes advised the Common Meeting. “This was a particular yr.â€Â
Resolutions honors Vols’ season
Sen. Becky Massey, R-Knoxville, sponsored a decision to acknowledge one among UT’s finest basketball seasons in program historical past, and Barnes got here to acknowledge the gesture.ÂÂ
“It’s becoming that this Common Meeting ought to pay tribute to these exemplary student-athletes who’ve attained the top of competitors, thus bringing honor and acclaim to the State of Tennessee,†Senate Joint Decision 403 stated. “… College of Tennessee Volunteers, coached by the legendary Rick Barnes, epitomize excellence each on and off the basketball courtroom.â€Â
UT spent the whole season ranked within the High 10 for the primary time in program historical past. It tied a college file with 31 wins and reached the Candy Sixteen within the NCAA Match.
The decision named all UT gamers, coaches and workers members.
“(The Vols) earned the respect and admiration of sports activities followers throughout the State of Tennessee and the nation, not solely by showcasing their prowess on the hardwood but additionally by standing as a unified instance of teamwork, dedication, selflessness and daring religion,†the decision stated.
Barnes now highest-paid state worker
It was Barnes’ second journey to the State Capitol. A yr in the past, a Home decision acknowledged the Vols’ shocking SEC regular-season title.
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One main change is that Barnes is now the highest-paid state worker.
On April 17, UT gave Barnes an amended five-year contract value $26 million. Along with his common annual wage rising from $3.5 million to $5.2 million, Barnes handed UT soccer coach Jeremy Pruitt ($3.9 million per yr) as Tennessee’s highest-paid state worker.
Barnes was bumped as much as among the many high paid coaches in school basketball after UCLA almost pulled him away to the West Coast.
“Coach, we’re thrilled you’re not going to California,†stated Sen. Massey, who drew a large grin from Barnes.
Surrounded by lawmakers that graduated from UT, Barnes stated “there may be nothing extra essential than defending the integrity of the College of Tennessee and the integrity of this state, and I promise you that we’ll at all times do this.â€Â
Attain Adam Sparks at asparks@tennessean.com and on Twitter @AdamSparks.
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