R E S O L U T I O N

 1-1           WHEREAS, The LeTourneau University LadyJackets have captured

 1-2     the 1997 National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA)

 1-3     Basketball Championship, and this accomplishment is indeed

 1-4     deserving of special legislative recognition; and

 1-5           WHEREAS, Playing in their first NCCAA National Tournament,

 1-6     LeTourneau University was led by Player of the Year Tracey Pepper,

 1-7     the tournament MVP, and fellow NCCAA All-American Kim Chatman; the

 1-8     LadyJackets dominated the three-day tournament, extending their

 1-9     winning streak to 20 games and never trailing in their 80-71

1-10     victory over the Emmanuel University Lady Lions in the championship

1-11     game; and

1-12           WHEREAS, Head Coach Mary Ann Otwell, the NCCAA Coach of the

1-13     Year, has schooled her young players in hardcourt fundamentals

1-14     while also instilling in them the virtues of academic excellence

1-15     and good sportsmanship, and she has been capably supported in her

1-16     efforts by assistant coaches Vicki Sheafer and Wendi Gibbs and

1-17     Manager Raymond Sabatino; and

1-18           WHEREAS, Dedication to excellence both individually and as a

1-19     team has been a hallmark of the LadyJackets, whose team members

1-20     include Stephanie Cooke, DaShannon Greenhouse, Erin Lioret, Allison

1-21     Pepper, Tracey Pepper, Teresa Denton Sabatino, LaDarla Sanders,

1-22     Olivia  Smith, and Kim Chatman; and

1-23           WHEREAS, These talented young women, as well as their coaches

1-24     and staff, are a tremendous source of pride for the students and

 2-1     faculty of LeTourneau University and their many supporters, and the

 2-2     members of this chamber are proud to join in honoring them at this

 2-3     time; now, therefore, be it

 2-4           RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 75th Texas

 2-5     Legislature hereby congratulate Head Coach Mary Ann Otwell and the

 2-6     LeTourneau University LadyJackets on winning the 1996-97 NCCAA

 2-7     Basketball Championship and extend to them sincere best wishes for

 2-8     continued success and happiness in the years to come; and, be it

 2-9     further

2-10           RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be

2-11     prepared for the team and coaching staff as an expression of high

2-12     regard by the Texas House of Representatives.

                                                                     Merritt

                                             _______________________________

                                                   Speaker of the House

               I certify that H.R. No. 734 was adopted by the House on May

         2, 1997, by a non-record vote.

                                             _______________________________

                                                 Chief Clerk of the House