[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 36 (Thursday, March 26, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2689-S2690]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   TRIBUTE TO GEORGETOWN COLLEGE: 1998 N.A.I.A. BASKETBALL CHAMPIONS

 Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President: I rise today to recognize 
basketball excellence. As you may know, basketball is a way of life in 
Kentucky. While people are most familiar with Kentucky's two Divison IA 
schools, our state also has its share of small schools that do not 
always receive the recognition they are due. It is one of those schools 
that I want to recognize today: the 1998 National Association of 
Intercollegiate Athletics Basketball Champions: the Tigers of 
Georgetown College, located in the town of Georgetown, Kentucky.
  On March 23, led by NAIA first team All-America sophomore center Will 
Carlton, Georgetown defeated Southern Nazarene College 83-69 in Tulsa, 
Oklahoma. After a roller coaster first half that included a thirteen 
point deficit, Georgetown took a one point lead into the locker room at 
halftime. Midway through the second half, the Tigers exploded for 17-2 
run fueled by Carlton and teammate Barry Bowman, who combined for 15 of 
those 17 points. During the penultimate run, the offense of Carlton and 
Bowman was supported by solid defense that held Southern Nazarene to 
only two free throws in the six and a half minutes.
  This national title is the first in Georgetown College basketball 
history. Having lost in the finals on two previous occasions--1961 and 
1996--these Tigers, led by coach Happy Osborne finished their dream 
season with a record of 36-3. They steadily improved their play 
throughout the tournament, symbolized by their cutting their turnovers 
from 30 in the first round to only nine in the final.
  While this National Championship was the result of a total team 
effort, it is worth noting that Carlton, a sophomore, and Bowman, a 
junior, were joined by senior David Shee on the all- tournament team. 
After averaging nearly 22 points and 12 rebounds in the tournament, 
Carlton received the Chuck Taylor Most Valuable Player Award for the 
tournament.
  Mr. President, I congratulate Coach Osborne and his team on a 
marvelous season culminating in this NAIA National Championship, their 
version of March Madness. And with most of

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these Tigers expected to return next year, I look forward to Georgetown 
successfully defending their crown next year.

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