[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 85 (Wednesday, June 18, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1252]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CONGRATULATIONS TO THE ILLINOIS WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY MEN'S BASKETBALL 
                                  TEAM

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. THOMAS W. EWING

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 18, 1997

  Mr. EWING. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the people of the 15th 
Congressional District of Illinois, I would like to extend my 
congratulations to Coach Dennis Bridges and Illinois Wesleyan 
University men's basketball team for advancing to the Final Four and 
winning their first ever NCAA Division III national title.
  After 110 years in intercollegiate athletic competition, Illinois 
Wesleyan University has finally won a national title when it defeated 
Nebraska Wesleyan University 89 to 86. I recognize and congratulate 
Coach Dennis Bridges, the winningest active Division III coach, for 
being named ``Division III Coach of the Year'' and Bryan Crabtree, for 
being named Final Four MVP and ``Division III Player of the Year.''
  During their historic season, Wesleyan amassed a school record of 29 
wins and only 2 losses, a CCIW championship, and now an unprecedented 
national title. The accomplishments of this team are truly remarkable 
in that Illinois Wesleyan University was picked to finish third in the 
CCIW conference in the coaches' preseason poll. Apparently, the coaches 
underestimated the emerging Wesleyan dynasty which had the year prior 
finished third in the Nation.
  In recognition of their historic season, I will now list the names of 
the coaches and players for the 1997 Division III men's basketball 
national champions: Head coach Dennis Bridges; assistant coaches: 
Dennis Martel and David Steinbrueck; players: Tony Pacetti, Seth 
Zeller, Korey Coon, Jason Osborn, Nathan Hubbard, Brent Neibrugge, Kyle 
Tudeen, Mike Pope, Buck Condill, Bryan Crabtree, Jerry Happ, Andrew 
Boyden, Matt Hoder, Matt Mann, and John Baines.
  In addition to Illinois Wesleyan University's athletic achievements, 
I would be remiss if I did not point out that Illinois Wesleyan 
University is fast becoming one of the Nation's most prestigious and 
selective liberal arts schools. Illinois Wesleyan University is an 
outstanding example of how higher education can successfully blend a 
quality academic program with a top-notch athletic program. This point 
is driven home by the fact that Illinois Wesleyan University ranks 
third nationally with 82 student-athletes being named to the GTE 
Academic All-American Team since the program first began in 1970.
  Once again, I salute and congratulate Coach Dennis Bridges and the 
Illinois Wesleyan University men's basketball team, as well as the 
administration and faculty of this fine institution.

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