By Merritt H.R. No. 734 75R12395 JHS-D 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.