[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 200 (Friday, December 15, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S18674]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        TRIBUTE TO THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH ALABAMA FOOTBALL TEAM

  Mr. HEFLIN. Mr. President, in the bustling North Alabama town of 
Florence, an athletic dynasty reigns, cloaked in the royal purple and 
gold school colors, producing a championship heir each year since 1993. 
I come to the Senate floor today to tell you of an amazing group of 
young people at an outstanding university in my beloved State of 
Alabama.
  Just days ago, on December 9, the University of North Alabama Lions 
claimed their third consecutive national championship in Division II 
football. This is an achievement unmatched in college football history 
by any team from that division or higher. Their victory came at the 
expense of a worthy opponent, Pittsburg State, with a final score of 27 
to 7.
  I can go on and on- and, mind you, I will in a moment- about the 
unbelievable records that have been set and broken by these champions 
over the past 3 years, but I would first like to call attention to a 
statement made by the UNA Lions Coach Bobby Wallace. In an interview 
with the Florence TimesDaily, Coach Wallace stressed that this once-in-
a-lifetime opportunity of three championships in a row is not what made 
his team unique:

       Don't get me wrong, I wanted very badly to win this game. 
     But winning really wasn't that important. A win today wasn't 
     going to make this team special. They were special long 
     before today. All they did today was go out and prove they 
     may be the best ever in Division II.

  Mr. President, it is this type of attitude that sets the Lions apart 
as true champions. These young men and their outstanding coaches 
realize that winning isn't the true mark of a good team. Character, 
determination, dedication and hard work all factor into the champion 
spirit. However, I would be remiss if I failed to point out the 
obvious: In addition the champion spirit, UNA most definitely has the 
talent to capture the victory. And it is this astounding talent that I 
would like to note for the record.
  Over 15,000 people attended the sold-out game at Braly Stadium and 
countless more watched on ESPN. Ken Berger of the Associated Press 
summarized the championship game: ``It wasn't even close. North Alabama 
(14-0) shredded Kansas-based Pittsburg State (12-1-1), amassing 380 
yards to the Gorillas' 176 and holding a 2-to-1 advantage in possession 
time.''
  Ronald McKinnon, senior linebacker, received the 1995 Harlon Hill 
Trophy as the NCAA Division II National Player of the Year. He is the 
first defensive player in the 10-year history of the award to finish in 
the top three, much less win the award. He proved worthy once again in 
the championship game with 14 tackles, one for a 5-yard loss and a 
recovered fumble that led to UNA's second touchdown.
  Starting quarterback Cody Gross, suffering from a torn hip muscle, 
still managed to complete eight of 13 passes for 102 yards and a 
touchdown in addition to carrying the ball three times for four yards. 
He split the time with senior back-up quarterback Cale Manley who 
guided the team in a stunning 76-yard, 12-play drive on UNA's opening 
possession. Jermaine Roberts led UNA's championship game effort with 
107 yards on 20 carries, scoring twice.
  Mike Goens, regional editor at the Florence TimesDaily, described the 
atmosphere in the final 3 minutes of the game: ``At that moment, an 
overcast afternoon turned to dusk. Metaphorically, the lights began 
going out for Pittsburg State. And the evening sky, fittingly, began 
turning shades of purple and gold.''
  The UNA Lions have dominated their field of play as no other college 
football team has, ever. They have a 3-year record of 41 wins and 1 
loss. That loss was to the No. 1 ranked Division I-AA Youngstown State. 
The Lions are the only college football team at any level to win 40 
games in 3 years. UNA's current 23-game winning streak is second best 
in the Nation, behind Division I's Nebraska with 24.
  This team is indeed made up of outstanding young men. Nineteen of the 
fifty-two players who dressed out for the championship game are 
seniors. This senior class closed their collective careers as the 
winningest in school and Gulf South Conference history at 48-5-1.
  Coach Wallace, not known as one to rest on his laurels, told the 
media after the game that he plans to guide the UNA Lions to a fourth 
straight championship next season. That is the spirit of a true 
champion. For now, however, I join my voice with a legion of others in 
proudly hailing UNA's conquering heroes with the resounding cheer: ``Go 
Lions.''

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