SR 113 — Commending Jeff Bourne.

SESSION INTRODUCEDENROLLED 24107543D SENATE RESOLUTION NO.

113 IE Offered February 29, 2024 N Commending Jeff Bourne.

TN ––––––––––R Patrons––Obenshain,Agreed McDougleto by the Senate, March 6, 2024 WHEREAS, Jeff Bourne, longtime athletic director at James Madison University and Surovella Rchampion ––––––––––of O collegiate athletics in the Commonwealth, will retire in 2024;

andon University and aL champion of WHEREAS, after graduating with a degree in business and accounting from Bridgewater College in 1981, Jeff Bourne joined the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University as an auditor, where he would ultimately work full-time in athletics for approximately a decade;

and CE WHEREAS, following a brief stint at the Georgia Institute of Technology, Jeff Bourne became the D athWHEREAS, over Jeff Bourne's tenure at JMU, which is currently the seventh longest at one school among active National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I athletic directors, JMU teams have won three national titles, 77 conference championships, and 60 regular season conference titles;

and WHEREAS, Jeff Bourne's legacy at JMU includes the construction of the Atlantic Union Bank Center in 2020 and renovation of the Convocation Center in 2023, as well as numerous upgrades and improvements to other athletic facilities;

and theirWHEREAS, futureJeff success,Bourne workinghas tirelesslydemonstrated toan ensureunwavering thatcommitment theyto excelhis notstudent-athletes onlyand inR their sports, but in the classroom as well;

andandworking tirelessly to ensure that they excel not only in their sports, but in the1 WHEREAS, Jeff Bourne has courageously led the JMU athletic department through periods of SE growth and change over the years in response to the needs of the day, creating an environment i1in which allR 18allWHEREAS, JMU's accomplishments both as a charter member of the university'sColonial teamsAthletic canAssociation thrive;and following its transition to the Sun Belt Conference in 2022 are a testament to the culture that Jeff Bourne has fostered during his time at the school, and a reflection of the impact he has had on countless livRESOLVED by the Senate of Virginia, That Jeff Bourne, esteemed athletic director of James Madison University, hereby be commended on the occasion of his retirement;

andand, 3be WHEREAS,it JMU'sRESOLVED accomplishmentsFURTHER, bothThat asthe aClerk charter member of the ColonialSenate Athleticprepare Associationa Bournecopy hasof fosteredthis duringresolution hisfor timeservice atto the school,Commonwealth's andyoung apeople reflectionand ofbest thewishes impactfor hea hashappy hadand onfulfilling countlessretirement.r lives;in

now, therefore, be it RESOLVED by the Senate of Virginia, That Jeff Bourne, esteemed athletic director of James Madison University, hereby be commended on the occasion of his retirement;

and, be it RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for service to the Commonwealth's young people and best wishes for a happy and fulfilling retirement.r in / 3