[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 71 (Thursday, June 4, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1028]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            TRIBUTE TO CONNECTICUT STATE UNIVERSITY WARRIORS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. SAM GEJDENSON

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, June 4, 1998

  Mr. GEJDENSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the 
Eastern Connecticut State University Warriors, a college baseball team 
in my district that took home the national Division III title on May 
28. The accomplishments of Division III teams are frequently 
overlooked, and I believe we should all take the time to recognize the 
extraordinary efforts made by both the players and coaches.
  As we in Congress all know, NCAA Division III programs are not 
allowed to offer scholarships or other financial incentives to their 
players. These college athletes truly play for a love of the game. 
These students put in as much time and effort into the sport as any 
other college athletes, even though there is little media coverage and 
less fanfare.
  This Division III team's return to Connecticut last Thursday, 
however, met with a great deal of fanfare. On their route back to the 
campus in Wilamantic, the team members and coaches were met with a 
police escort. The students sat on a flatbed truck, which paraded them 
onto campus, where some 250 fans were waiting to greet them at a 
celebration.
  This recognition is well-deserved. The Warriors blew out their 
opponent 16-1 in the Division III finals last Wednesday in Salem, 
Virginia. Among this fine group of athletes and coaches, I would like 
to especially recognize a few.
  First of all, I would like to congratulate Coach Bill Holowaty. This 
marks his third national title in his 30-season coaching career at 
Eastern Connecticut. Coach Holowaty has a winning percentage of .725, 
making him the second-winningest active coach in Division III.
  My congratulations to him; his wife, Jan, and his three children.
  Secondly, I would like to also extend my congratulations to the 
tournament MVP, Chris D'Amato. D'Amato, who is also the team co-
captain, batted .786 in the tournament and finished the season with a 
20-game hitting streak. He will be starting a student teaching position 
in the fall, and this will complete his studies in physical education. 
D'Amato hopes to coach baseball as a future career. My best wishes for 
his future with the game.
  Each of the other players, assistant coaches and everyone associated 
with the team should be commended for their efforts. This has been an 
amazing year for an excellent program, and I wish all of them the best 
for the future.

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