Florida Senate - 2025 (NP) SR By Senator Rouson 16-03258A-25 20251878__ CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. Senate Resolution A resolution honoring the life and legacy of University of South Florida Head Basketball Coach Amir Abdur-Rahim, his many accomplishments, and his contributions to the Tampa Bay community and this state. 6

WHEREAS, Amir Abdur-Rahim was one of children born to Deborah Hester and William Abdur-Rahim and one of six brothers from the family to play college basketball, and

WHEREAS, after successfully coaching at Kennesaw State University from to 2023, leading the Owls men’s basketball team to the conference regular season and tournament titles and their first-ever berth in the NCAA Division I men’s basketball tournament, on March 29, 2023, Amir Abdur-Rahim became the 11th head coach of the University of South Florida 16 (USF) Bulls men’s basketball team, and

WHEREAS, Coach Amir Abdur-Rahim led the Bulls men’s basketball team to a 25-8 record, including wins in conference play, the most wins in program history, and USF posted straight conference victories to register the program’s longest-ever win streak and the longest win streak in the nation, and

WHEREAS, under Coach Amir Abdur-Rahim’s leadership, the USF men’s basketball team win total marked a nine-win improvement over the previous season, among the top most improved in the nation in 2023-2024, and just the sixth 20-win season in program history, and

WHEREAS, during that season, under Coach Amir Abdur-Rahim’s leadership, USF earned its first-ever Top ranking in men’s basketball, climbing as high as number in the Associated Press and USA Today Coaches Polls, and

WHEREAS, in his first season at USF, Coach Amir Abdur-Rahim was the unanimous choice to be named the American Athletic Conference Coach of the Year and the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) District Coach of the Year, and

WHEREAS, Coach Amir Abdur-Rahim came to USF with a proven track record of winning as a player and coach, and one of his greatest successes was derived from his exceptional ability to develop the young men on his team, and

WHEREAS, a beloved husband and father who passed away October 24, 2024, Coach Amir Abdur-Rahim shared his life with his wife of years, Arianne Abdur-Rahim, and their three children, Laila, Lana, and Aydin,

NOW, THEREFORE, 49

Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of Florida: 51 That the Senate honors the life and legacy of University of South Florida Head Basketball Coach Amir Abdur-Rahim and extends its gratitude for his many accomplishments and contributions to the Tampa Bay community and this state. 56 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Coach Amir Abdur-Rahim as a tangible Florida Senate - 2025 (NP) SR 1878 16-03258A-25 20251878__ CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. token of the sentiments expressed herein. 59