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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The Texas Wesleyan University men's basketball team |
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furthered its tradition of success on the hardwood by winning the |
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National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Division I |
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national championship on March 21, 2017, at Municipal Auditorium in |
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Kansas City, Missouri; and |
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WHEREAS, The Rams' outstanding play began early in the |
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season, and they claimed the Sooner Athletic Conference regular |
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season crown with a stellar 13-5 record in conference play; taking |
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that momentum into the national tournament, the squad dispatched |
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opponents from the University of the Cumberlands, The Master's |
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University, Dalton State College, and William Penn University to |
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set up a championship battle against Life University; and |
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WHEREAS, Taking charge from the outset, the Rams established |
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a commanding 35-23 lead in the first half; they then held off a |
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resurgent Eagles offense after the intermission to win by a final |
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score of 86-76, claiming the second national title in the |
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university's history; and |
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WHEREAS, Pacing the group was senior guard Dion Rogers, who |
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received the Chuck Taylor Most Valuable Player Award after tallying |
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28 points and 8 rebounds; he was joined on the All-Tournament Team |
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by fellow Rams Najeal Young, a senior guard, and Ryan Harris, a |
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junior guard; and |
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WHEREAS, Throughout the season, the squad also received |
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valuable contributions from the other members of the roster: Chier |
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Ajou, Pat Listach, Naiel Smith, Jalil Francois, Trevon Jeffery, |
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Chris Alexander, Praneeth Udumalagala, Demarcus Emanuel, Jeremy |
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Crane, Peyton Prudhomme, Shaun Rost, and Jacob Lopez; these |
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exceptional athletes benefited from the skilled guidance of head |
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coach Brennen Shingleton, associate head coach Matt Garnett, |
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assistant coach Orlando Carrillo, and student assistants Larry |
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Wilson and Sam Akano; and |
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WHEREAS, Winning a national championship represents the |
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culmination of countless hours of training and an unwavering |
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commitment to excellence, and the members of the Texas Wesleyan |
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University basketball team will carry the memory of this |
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accomplishment with them for the rest of their lives; now, |
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therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas |
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Legislature hereby congratulate the Texas Wesleyan University |
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men's basketball team on winning the 2017 NAIA Division I national |
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championship and extend to the team's players, coaches, and staff |
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sincere best wishes for the future; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for the Rams as an expression of high regard by the Texas |
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House of Representatives. |
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Romero, Jr. |
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Collier |
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______________________________ |
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Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.R. No. 1355 was adopted by the House on April |
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27, 2017, by a non-record vote. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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