[Page H1195]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING COACH BUBBA LUCKETT

  (Mr. Kustoff of Tennessee was recognized to address the House for 5 
minutes.)
  Mr. KUSTOFF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a true icon in 
Tennessee basketball, Coach Bubba Luckett of Christian Brothers High 
School in Memphis. For over 40 years, Bubba Luckett has been more than 
a coach. He has been a mentor, a role model, and a steadfast leader 
both on and off the court. This will be Bubba Luckett's final year 
coaching high school basketball.
  Bubba became the heart and soul of CBHS basketball as a player, 
shattering records along the way. By the time he graduated in 1979, 
Bubba Luckett had scored almost 1,700 points, holding the record of 
all-time leading scorer at CBHS for over 40 years. After high school, 
Bubba was able to play for an elite college basketball team for 4 years 
at the University of Memphis under Head Coach Dana Kirk and Assistant 
Coaches Larry Finch and Lee Fowler.
  Bubba Luckett's journey came full circle when his own high school 
coach, Charlie Leonard, invited him to return to CBHS as an assistant 
basketball coach in the mid-1980s. Several years later, in 1990, Bubba 
took over as the head coach.
  Over the course of 30-plus years as a varsity high school coach, 
Bubba Luckett has amassed impressive records and stats. Here are just a 
few:
  Over 700 career victories, 10 regional titles, 5 State championship 
appearances, and 2 State championship titles.
  Indeed, Bubba Luckett has dedicated four decades of his life shaping 
young men into champions, on the court, in the classroom, and also in 
life.
  Mr. Speaker, Reese McMullen is a former standout player at CBHS who 
was coached by Bubba Luckett. Reese is a true scholar and a gifted 
athlete, going on to play basketball at the University of Pennsylvania. 
More importantly, Reese appreciates the coaching at CBHS that prepared 
him to play college basketball.
  Reese told me that Coach Luckett cared so much about all the players 
that Bubba Luckett emphasized to his young men: Character, academics, 
and basketball, in that order. Reese told me, and I wrote this down: 
``Coach cared about my development beyond basketball. He would also 
post our grades in the locker room to demonstrate the importance of 
grades. Coach cared about all aspects of our lives and that it is 
important to lead by example.''
  Mr. Speaker, I also talked with Brother David Poos, the president of 
CBHS. Brother David told me: Integrity is a hallmark of Bubba Luckett. 
He is a good role model for the players and students. Bubba is a 
``Brothers' Boy'' through and through.
  There is no doubt that Coach Luckett's impact at CBHS extends far 
beyond wins and losses. He has coached almost 50 young men over the 
years who would go on to play college basketball. As he steps away from 
the sidelines, Bubba leaves behind not only a successful program, but a 
family, a brotherhood, and a tradition that will endure for 
generations. His lasting impact will be all the young men he nurtured 
in his program.
  Now, while he may no longer be drawing plays or calling timeouts, one 
thing is certain: Bubba Luckett's legacy will always be part of 
Christian Brothers High School.
  Roberta and I wish Bubba, Amy, and their entire family all the best 
as they begin this next chapter. I thank him for his years of 
dedication and for the lives that he has influenced through coaching 
and teaching.
  Go Brothers.

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