[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 45 (Friday, March 30, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3213-S3214]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO LADY LOBOS BASKETBALL TEAM

 Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, I rise today to salute a team of 
special women who are champions in the eyes of the residents of my home 
State of New Mexico. I am paying tribute to the University of New 
Mexico's Lobo Women's Basketball team, which came up one point short of 
winning the Women's National Invitation Tournament last night.
  The Ohio State Buckeyes women's team battled the Lady Lobos on their 
home court, at ``the Pit'' in Albuquerque, one of the most phenomenal 
basketball sites in the country. There, the Lady Lobos and the Buckeyes 
wowed the fans with an exciting 62-61 game. Despite the heartbreaking 
end, the Lobo women had a fantastic year worthy of any trophy and our 
admiration.
  This team has helped to move women in this sport forward by leaps and 
bounds, providing an outstanding example of dedication, talent and hard 
work for young girls in my State.

[[Page S3214]]

 Their hard work in the NIT tournament builds on a distinguished 
history of collegiate women's basketball. Back in 1972 President 
Richard Nixon signed into law title IX, which stated that no person in 
the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from 
participation in any educational program or activity that receives 
federal assistance. That same year, the Association for Intercollegiate 
Athletics for Women held its first women's collegiate basketball 
championship.
  Fast forward to the year 2001, where today unprecedented numbers of 
young girls and women are playing basketball as part of their overall 
education. I believe it is outstanding that the UNM Lady Lobos are able 
to repeatedly played before a sold out audience of more than 18,000 
screaming fans.
  Wednesday night's title game should not be viewed as a 
disappointment, because I believe the excitement the Lady Lobos 
generated across New Mexico can only serve as motivation for next year. 
The Lobo women, who finished the season 22-13, are also an inspiration 
for the elementary, middle and high school girls who watched their 
successful season. They can believe, like the UNM Ladies basketball 
team's future, that the sky is the limit.
  I believe the Lady Lobos have embarked on a tradition of greatness, 
which is no small feat considering their newness on the scene. Despite 
the discontinuation of the program from 1987 to 1991, the players have 
since shown us their determination and delivered games of pure 
excitement. In the last four years, the average game attendance for the 
UNM women has skyrocketed and kept pace with the best teams across the 
nation. This is testimony to the interest that this women's team has 
brought to the game.
  On behalf of thousands of admiring fans, I extend my congratulations 
and thanks to the University of New Mexico Lobo Women's Basketball team 
for their successful year. I salute Coach Don Flanagan and his team: 
Jordan Adams, Susan Babcock, Jasmine Ewing, Melissa Forest, Cristal 
Garcia, Chelsea Grear, Nikki Heckroth, Molly McKinnon, Lauren McLeod, 
Miranda Sanchez, Jennifer Williams, and Brittany Wolfgang. We are proud 
of the team and its accomplishments.

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