[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 19 (Thursday, February 13, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E268]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        CHAMPIONS OF THE PRAIRIE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JOHN THUNE

                            of south dakota

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 13, 1997

  Mr. THUNE. Mr. Speaker, lately, football fans across the Nation are 
talking about the Green Bay Packers. Today, I'd like to inform my 
colleagues about an outstanding championship team that hasn't received 
much national attention. They are the NAIA Division II National 
Football Champions--The University of Sioux Falls Cougars. With their 
victory in the championship playoff game in December, the Cougars 
became the first South Dakota college team to win a national football 
title.
  This group of young men had a remarkable season--an exclamation point 
to their emergence as a football powerhouse. Many of the players spent 
the last 4 years playing together. While each of these seasons has been 
significant, the Cougars 2-8 record in 1993, didn't even foreshadow the 
greatness just around the corner. Head Coach Bob Young was concerned 
he'd lose many of his talented freshmen. Instead of dwelling on past 
disappointments, the young players and their coach pulled together and 
focused on a winning future. They have proven that commitment, loyalty, 
and hard work can and do pay off. In the three seasons since that 
disappointing 1993 season, the Cougars compiled and impressive 32-4 
record, made three straight playoff appearances, and won the 1996 
National Championship. For the last 2 years, the South Dakota Sports 
Writers Association have selected the Cougar Football Team as the Men's 
College Team of the Year.
  The sportscaster who coined the expression ``this is the one for the 
record books'' had no idea how fitting it would be for the 1996 
Cougars. Nearly half of the school's individual records were set by 
that team.
  Quarterback Kurtiss Riggs completed the regular season without 
throwing an interception. He set a national collegiate record 290 pass 
attempts without an interception. He also holds the NAIA division 
record for most touchdowns in a season with 55. Yet, when he was asked 
about his personal records, Kurtiss said he'd give them all up for the 
national championship. Fortunately, he didn't have to make that 
sacrifice.
  Senior wide receiver Kalen DeBoer finished the year with 17 
touchdowns, 99 receptions, and 1,372 yards, including 182 in one game. 
Sophomore running back David Ruter had 19 touchdowns and 1,726 yards 
rushing, including 315 in one game. When you have that kind of 
offensive trio achieving those kind of stats, it means you have an 
equally impressive offensive line doing the job up front. The Cougar 
defense led by Phil Porter, Larry Wilson, Chuck Morrell, Travis Dumke, 
and Ray Smith were ranked in the top 10 nationally both in scoring and 
rushing defense.
  As a team, the undefeated Cougars recorded the 19th best season 
scoring total in collegiate history with 636 points. They achieved this 
record by averaging 45 points per game and defeated their opponents by 
an average of 30 points. These figures are even more impressive 
considering one game was played in a blizzard and Coach Young's 
practice of benching the first string players once the game was in 
hand. It wasn't unusual for starters to play only half the game, giving 
younger players valuable game experience. With such an overwhelming 
offense, some may have been tempted to run up the score. But Coach 
Young's success is grounded in good sportsmanship and an eye toward the 
future. The Cougars also marched to the record books without much home 
cooking. They had the home field advantage for only two games this 
season.

  When the Cougars took the field for the Championship game in 
Tennessee on December 21, they faced Western Washington, a team with a 
school enrollment 10 times that of University of Sioux Falls. It was a 
modern-day version of David and Goliath. The outcome was the same as 
the Biblical tale--Sioux Falls slew Western Washington with a decisive 
47-to-25 victory.
  The University of Sioux Falls never was ranked No. 1, but the Cougars 
won their championship on the field, not in the polls. And for his 
leadership, Coach Bob Young was named the NAIA Division II Football 
National Coach of the Year.
  I also want to pay tribute to the character of the players and the 
entire coaching staff, which was shown at the end of each game when the 
entire team would huddle on the field and give thanks to God for their 
success. This weekly demonstration of faith is a stark and moving 
contrast to the typical bravado we see sometimes during professional 
games.
  Faith, loyalty, commitment, and teamwork. In a day when many look to 
sports for heroes, the 1996 University of Sioux Falls Cougar football 
team have earned two titles: local heroes and national champions. They 
are champions of the prairie. On behalf of the city of Sioux Falls and 
the State of South Dakota, I am pleased to say congratulations, Cougars 
We're proud of you.

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