[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 2 (Thursday, January 4, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S71]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     OUTSTANDING ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN WISCONSIN COLLEGIATE ATHLETICS

   Mr. KOHL. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize two 
outstanding accomplishments in Wisconsin collegiate athletics. Over the 
weekend of December 9-10, 1995, two Wisconsin schools were crowned as 
national champions. On Saturday, December 9, the University of 
Wisconsin-La Crosse captured the NCAA Division III Football 
Championship, by defeating Rowan, NJ, 36 to 7 in the Amos Alonzo Stagg 
Bowl, held in Salem, VA. Also finding success in the Commonwealth of 
Virginia, the University of Wisconsin claimed their first NCAA Division 
I Men's Soccer Title, downing Duke University, 2 to 0 in Richmond. Both 
championships can be attributed to a team first attitude, and a work 
ethic that is second-to-none.
  Behind an uncompromising defense that allowed just 153 yards, 
including yielding only 4 yards during the 3d quarter, and a balanced 
offensive attack that amassed 451 yards, the UW-La Crosse Eagles earned 
their second national title in 4 years. Although they trailed Rowan 
early in the game, the ``never-say-die'' Eagles went on to score 36 
unanswered points including an 85-yard scoring strike by senior All-
American quarterback, and Division III Player of the Year, Craig 
Kusick, that seemed to decimate the valiant efforts of the Rowan 
defense. Inspired by their offensive counterparts, the unrelenting 
Eagle defense held Rowan scoreless for the final three quarters, and 
gave UW-La Crosse the lead for good after tackle Mike Ivey stopped an 
overmatched Rowan back for a safety. The championship marks the second 
Division III title for Eagle head coach Roger Harring and caps off his 
27th season with an undefeated campaign, 14-0.
  Defense has also been the key on the road to the Badgers' title run. 
While allowing only 11 goals all season, and never more than 2 in a 
game, the Wisconsin defense continued to stonewall its opponents by 
becoming the first team ever to go through the entire five-game 
tournament without allowing a goal. The 2-to-0 victory over Duke in the 
final extended their shutout string to 7 consecutive games and the 17th 
blanking over their 25-game schedule. Truly a team effort, Coach Jim 
Launder's Badgers were the first Wisconsin team to advance past the 
NCAA quarterfinal.
  There is a cliche that says, ``Offense wins games. Defense wins 
championships.'' Although somewhat simplistic, it can be no more true 
than in the results of the championships attained by our fine Wisconsin 
universities. Wisconsin is truly proud of all its student athletes, and 
on behalf of the State of Wisconsin, I salute our national champions 
for their dedication to their common goal and for a job well 
done.

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