[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 34 (Wednesday, March 13, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S1993]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  SALUTING IDAHO'S NATIONAL CHAMPIONS

 Mr. KEMPTHORNE. Mr. President, I rise to offer my 
congratulations to Coach Marty Holly and his Albertson College of Idaho 
basketball team.
  Last night, the Coyotes won the National Association of 
Intercollegiate Athletics Division II men s national basketball 
championship. The 'Yotes beat Whitworth College in a thrilling overtime 
game, 81-72.
  Albertson College of Idaho was founded in Caldwell in 1891 as the 
College of Idaho and is the State's oldest 4-year institution of higher 
learning. Six hundred students attend the private liberal arts college. 
The school has been recognized by U.S. News and World Report as one of 
the best small colleges in the country.
  Mr. President, this victory is more than the school's first national 
title. It is a testament to the outstanding talents of head coach and 
athletic director Marty Holly. In his 15 years as coach at Albertson 
College, Marty Holly has compiled a record of 345 wins and only 113 
losses, for a winning percentage of 75 percent. For all his success, 
this year may have been his best.
  Everyone expected the 'Yotes to be good this year. They were highly 
ranked in the polls all season. Expectations were high. And as my 
colleagues know, when expectations are high, the pressure to meet those 
expectations is great. So Marty and his team were under a tremendous 
amount of pressure to win it all. Despite that pressure, Albertson 
College turned out its best season in school history. They finished 31-
3, the best winning percentage in school history. They won a record 12 
games in a row. All this while maintaining their high standards in the 
classroom.
  Last night's game was a classic. Albertson trailed by 3 at halftime 
before tournament Most Valuable Player Damon Archibald got hot. He 
scored 23 of his game-high 29 points after intermission, including 15 
in an 8-minute stretch in the second half.
  Still, to their credit, Whitworth fought back and forced the game to 
overtime. There, the Coyotes took over and seized the victory. After 
the game Coach Holly said every player ``stepped it up.'' They did 
indeed.
  Jimmy Kolyszko and Jared Klassen joined Archibald on the all-
tournament team, and each did step it up in the title game. Kolyszko 
pulled down 19 rebounds, and Klassen scored 20 points and grabbed 12 
rebounds.
  Mr. President, Idaho should be proud of the student-athletes at 
Albertson College and their dedicated coaches, who have helped bring 
the community together in support of the team. In fact, all of Canyon 
County was able to celebrate this achievement since the NAIA National 
Tournament was hosted by Northwest Nazarene College in nearby Nampa.
  This championship season was truly a team effort and I join all 
Idahoans in saluting those involved. We are very proud of these fine 
young men and their coaches. I ask to have printed in the Record the 
names of the players, coaches and staff of the Albertson College of 
Idaho Coyotes, who have brought tremendous honor to their school and 
their State.
  The names follow:
  Nate Miller, a senior from Middleton, ID, Todd Williams, a senior 
from Pasadena, CA, Steve Kramer, a senior from Santa Rosa, CA, Jimmy 
Kolyszko, a senior from Scottsdale, AZ, Taylor Ebright, a junior from 
Boise, ID, Taran Hay, a sophomore from Boise, Rob Smith, a freshman 
from Boise, David Baker, a sophomore from Blackfoot, ID, Damon 
Archibald, a senior from Tempe, AZ, Rob Sheirbon, a sophomore from 
Woodburn, OR, Greg Blacker, a junior from Caldwell, ID, Jared Klaassen, 
a senior from Coeur d'Alene, ID, Head Coach Marty Holly, Assistant 
Coaches Mark Owen and George Scott, Trainer Linda Gibbens, Sports 
Information Director Dave Hahn, and Albertson College President Robert 
Hendren, Jr.

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