H.R. No. 695
 
 
 
R E S O L U T I O N
         WHEREAS, A milestone in the history of Baylor University
  athletics was realized on April 5, 2021, when the men's basketball
  team earned its first NCAA Division I national championship; and
         WHEREAS, The title game victory closed out an unforgettable
  year that began with a 17-game winning streak; the Bears went on to
  secure their inaugural Big 12 Conference regular-season crown after
  posting a 13-1 league record, and the team realized another first
  when it entered the NCAA tournament as a No. 1 seed; and
         WHEREAS, Playing in the tournament's South Region, Baylor
  notched commanding March Madness victories over Hartford,
  Wisconsin, and Villanova before besting Arkansas to punch its
  ticket to the Final Four for the first time since 1950; matching up
  against the University of Houston in the semifinals, the Bears
  showcased their precision shooting and stifling defense to prevail
  78-59 and secure a berth in the championship contest; and
         WHEREAS, Taking the floor at Lucas Oil Stadium in
  Indianapolis for the marquee title game, Baylor faced the
  undefeated and top-ranked squad from Gonzaga University; the Bears
  were undaunted and took charge from the opening tip-off; jumping
  out to a 9-0 lead and a 47-37 halftime advantage, they continued to
  dominate down the stretch, never allowing Gonzaga to come closer
  than nine points; emerging victorious by the final score of 86-70,
  the Bears hoisted the championship trophy and closed out a
  storybook year with an overall record of 28 wins and only two
  losses; and
         WHEREAS, Baylor was led by Jared Butler, the Final Four Most
  Outstanding Player, who scored 22 points in the finale; notable
  honors were also claimed by Davion Mitchell, who was named both the
  Naismith and National Association of Basketball Coaches Defensive
  Player of the Year; the Bears also received valuable contributions
  throughout the season from the other members of the roster: Flo
  Thamba, L. J. Cryer, Jordan Turner, Adam Flagler, Mark Vital,
  Jackson Moffatt, Jonathan Tchamwa Tchatchoua, Matthew Mayer, MaCio
  Teague, Zach Loveday, Mark Paterson, and Dain Dainja; these
  determined athletes were ably guided by head coach Scott Drew, who
  won the Associated Press and Big 12 Coach of the Year awards and is
  the youngest active coach in college basketball to win a national
  championship; vital support was also provided by associate head
  coach Jerome Tang, assistant coaches Alvin Brooks III and John
  Jakus, and the other members of the Baylor staff; and
         WHEREAS, Playing with exemplary skill, determination, and
  teamwork, the Baylor Bears realized their season-long goal of
  becoming national champions, and their achievement will forever be
  a proud memory for the university's loyal fans throughout Texas and
  beyond; now, therefore, be it
         RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 87th Texas
  Legislature hereby congratulate the Baylor University men's
  basketball team on winning the 2021 NCAA Division I national
  championship and extend to the team's players, coaches, and staff
  sincere best wishes for continued success; and, be it further
         RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
  prepared for the Bears as an expression of high regard by the Texas
  House of Representatives.
 
  Leach
 
  ______________________________
  Speaker of the House     
 
         I certify that H.R. No. 695 was adopted by the House on April
  23, 2021, by a non-record vote.
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House