[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 125 (Thursday, September 12, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1591]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




TRIBUTE TO THE LYONS TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL TEAM AND COACH TERRY 
                                SULLIVAN

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                        HON. WILLIAM O. LIPINSKI

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 12, 1996

  Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Speaker, I would like to pay tribute to an 
outstanding group of young men and their coach on their tremendous 
recent triumphs.
  The varsity baseball team at Lyons Township High School in my 
district recently placed third in the State tournament and their coach, 
Terry Sullivan, was a consensus choice as Coach of the Year.
  However, perhaps what was most impressive about the 1996 Lyons 
Township High School Baseball Team was that it was one of those rare 
squads who transcended what the experts and critics perceived as their 
potential.
  As most LTHS baseball teams in previous years, the 1996 squad was 
expected to do well this season. But this group of 16-, 17-, and 18-
year-old young men, some of whom had played together since Little 
League, turned a good year into one that they will remember for a 
lifetime. Led by their most valuable player, catcher Doug Nichols, and 
16-game winner, pitcher Ryan Businaro, the Lions set a school record of 
34 wins in a season. In addition they enjoyed a 14-game winning streak 
and defeated regular season conference champion and archrival Oak Park-
River Forest in the sectional final to reach the State Tournament.
  Even the tough 4-2 loss in the State semifinals did little to dampen 
the LTHS's great season. As Coach Sullivan said, ``This team had an 
evenness to it. There were no peaks and valleys, no highs and lows. We 
stayed on a pretty lofty plateau the entire season.''
  Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Coach Sullivan and his entire squad on 
their achievements this season, and wish them continued success in the 
coming years.

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