[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 41 (Thursday, April 2, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E571-E572]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   CONGRATULATING THE ILLINOIS STATE UNIVERSITY MEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. THOMAS W. EWING

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, April 1, 1998

  Mr. EWING. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to offer my congratulations to 
the Illinois State University Men's basketball team for a truly 
memorable season. Coach Kevin Stallings and his group of young men 
epitomized all that is good in college athletics. Led by seniors Rob 
Gibbons, Dan Muller, Jamar Smiley, LeRoy Watkins, Steve Hansell, Skipp 
Shaefbauer and the outstanding junior Rico Hill, the 1998 Redbirds won 
16 Missouri Valley Conference Games on their way to a second 
consecutive Missouri Valley Conference Championship. The Redbirds went 
on to win the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament. They advanced to 
the NCAA Tournament where they beat a quality Tennessee squad in 
overtime in the first round. While the defending national champion 
Arizona Wildcats eventually ended their season, the Redbirds played 
tough for the entire 40 minutes and should be proud of their remarkable 
season. In addition to the extraordinary accomplishments of the Redbird 
team, the ISU program was the recipient of a number of Missouri Valley 
Conference individual awards. Rico Hill was named Missouri Valley 
Conference Player of the Year. Senior Dan Muller was named to his third 
consecutive Missouri Valley All-Academic Team with a grade point 
average of 3.77 in business management. Muller was joined by Skipp 
Shaefbauer who earned a 3.29 in Sports Management. The Missouri Valley 
Conference Coach of the Year was ISU's own Kevin Stallings. The 1998 
Redbird season adds another string of accomplishments to the already 
impressive career of Coach Stallings, solidifying him as truly one of 
the best young coaches in America. While I am sure other schools will 
try and lure him away, all of his fans join me in hoping this native 
Illinoisan will choose to stay at Illinois State University. Mr. 
Speaker, the Illinois State Redbirds deserve the recognition

[[Page E572]]

of the House of Representatives for their wonderful 1998 season. I 
would also like to remind the Speaker that Midnight Madness and the 
start of the 1999 NCAA basketball season is only 198 days away.

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