Whereas the University of Alabama Crimson Tide football
team won the 2012 Allstate Bowl Championship Series (referred to in this
preamble as BCS
) National Championship Game, defeating Louisiana
State University by a score of 21–0 in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New
Orleans on January 9, 2012;
Whereas this victory marks the second BCS title in the
last 3 years and the 14th national championship in college football for the
University of Alabama;
Whereas the victory by the University of Alabama was the
first shutout in any BCS bowl game since the system was created in 1998 and the
first shutout in the championship game since the 1992 Orange Bowl;
Whereas the 2012 BCS National Championship Game was the
59th postseason bowl appearance and the 33rd bowl victory for the University of
Alabama, both of which extend existing NCAA records for the University of
Alabama;
Whereas the victory by the University of Alabama marks the
sixth consecutive BCS national championship for the Southeastern Conference and
the third consecutive BCS national championship for the State of
Alabama;
Whereas the University of Alabama gained 384 yards of
total offense in the BCS National Championship Game, while holding the offense
of Louisiana State University to 5 first downs and 92 total yards, the second
lowest yards of total offense in BCS history;
Whereas A.J. McCarron completed 23 of 34 passes for a
total of 234 yards without a turnover and was named offensive player of the
game;
Whereas senior linebacker Courtney Upshaw recorded 7
tackles, including 1 sack, and was named defensive player of the game;
Whereas Trent Richardson, winner of the Doak Walker Award,
finished with 20 carries for 96 yards and 107 all-purpose yards and scored the
only touchdown of the game;
Whereas Jeremy Shelley successfully completed 5 field goal
attempts, setting a BCS National Championship Game record and tying an NCAA
bowl record;
Whereas in 2011, the defense of the University of Alabama
led the nation in rushing defense, passing defense, scoring defense, and total
defense;
Whereas 4 members of the Crimson Tide football team were
recognized as first-team All Americans by the Associated Press;
Whereas the 2011 Crimson Tide senior class compiled a 48–6
record, tying a Southeastern Conference record for class victories;
Whereas the leadership of head coach Nick Saban, whose
dedication and commitment to excellence instilled in his players a sense of
integrity, pride, sportsmanship, and perseverance, inspired both his team
throughout the season and the Tuscaloosa community following the devastating
losses in the April tornadoes;
Whereas President Robert Witt and Athletic Director Mal
Moore have brought tremendous academic success and national recognition to the
University of Alabama athletic department and the entire university; and
Whereas the players, coaches, and support staff of the
University of Alabama football team showed tremendous determination throughout
the season and brought great honor to the University of Alabama and the State
of Alabama: Now, therefore, be it
That the Senate—
(1)commends the
University of Alabama for winning the 2011 Bowl Championship Series National
Championship;
(2)recognizes the
achievements of all the players, coaches, and staff whose hard work,
dedication, and persistence helped the Crimson Tide win a national
championship; and
(3)requests the
Secretary of the Senate to prepare an official copy of this resolution for
presentation to—
(A)the President of
the University of Alabama, Dr. Robert Witt;
(B)the Athletic
Director of the University of Alabama, Mal Moore; and
(C)the Head Coach of
the University of Alabama Crimson Tide football team, Nick Saban.