[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 80 (Thursday, June 16, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6780-S6781]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
COMMENDING UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN'S SOFTBALL TEAM
Mr. FRIST. I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the
immediate consideration of S. Res. 175 submitted earlier today.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
The legislative clerk read as follows:
A resolution (S. Res. 175) commending the University of
Michigan's softball team for winning the National Collegiate
Athletic Association Division I Championship on June 8, 2005.
There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the
resolution.
Mr. LEVIN. Madam President, it is with great pride that I
congratulate the University of Michigan Softball Team on winning the
2005 National Championship. The Wolverines completed an impressive
season by defeating the two-time defending champion University of
California-Los Angeles Bruins two games to one in thrilling fashion
capped by a three run home run in the tenth inning of the final game of
the 2005 College World Series. This victory marks the first time a team
east of the Mississippi River has won this title and cements the
University of Michigan program as a true national powerhouse in college
softball. The Wolverines played with superb skill and dogged
determination throughout the season and in the World Series to clinch
their first championship, the second National Championship ever for a
women's athletic program at the University of Michigan.
The top ranked Wolverines entered Wednesday night's game hungry for
the final win that would secure their first National Championship
trophy. The Wolverines and Bruins split the first two games of the best
of three series and were locked in a fierce battle in the third and
final game to determine the ultimate victor. The Wolverines and Bruins
ended regulation with the score tied at one run each. The tenth inning
would prove pivotal as Samantha Findlay seized this opportunity and hit
a three run homer to provide the boost necessary to secure this extra
innings win. This grand display of athleticism, coupled with her play
throughout the postseason, helped earn Findlay the Women's College
World Series Most Valuable Player Award.
That victory provided the perfect ending to a remarkable season for
the
[[Page S6781]]
University of Michigan Softball Team. After a 32 game winning streak at
the beginning of the season, the Wolverines became the Nation's top-
ranked college softball program for the first time in school history,
and they were able to maintain the top ranking for the rest of the
season. The Wolverines ended the season with 65 wins and 7 losses, the
best record in school history and was one of three schools in NCAA
history to hit 100 home runs in a season.
Many members of the Wolverine team have been honored for their
efforts both on and off of the field. Eight of the team's 19 members
were named to the Big Ten all-conference team, including five on the
Big Ten first team. Perhaps even more impressive is that six Wolverine
players were named to the spring 2005 Academic All-Big Ten Conference
team. The Wolverines' pitcher, Jennie Ritter, was honored with the Big
Ten Pitcher of the Year title and was a finalist for the Amateur
Softball Association's USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year. A
member of the Big Ten second team, Samantha Findlay, earned an award as
the Big Ten Freshman of the Year. The 2005 University of Michigan
Softball team included Stephanie Bercaw, Angie Danis, Samantha Findlay,
Alessandra Giampaolo, Tiffany Haas, Lauren Holland, Jennifer
Kreinbrink, Grace Leutele, Becky Marx, Jessica Merchant, Rebekah
Milian, Nicole Motycka, Jennie Ritter, Lauren Talbot, Michelle
Teschler, Michelle Weatherdon, Lorilyn Wilson, Stephanie Winter, and
Tiffany Worthy.
This season proved to be an especially memorable one for Head Coach
Carol Hutchins for several reasons. Coach Hutchins eclipsed the 900
career win mark during the season, and her 940th win resulted in a
championship for the Wolverines. She currently enjoys the distinction
of being the most victorious coach in University of Michigan history
and currently ranks among the top ten Division I active coaches in
career wins and winning percentage.
As we honor this impressive triumph, I am reminded of the many times
I have had the pleasure of congratulating a strong Wolverine team.
Michigan can be proud of this most recent success, their fifty-second
National Championship in school history. I am proud to join Senator
Stabenow in congratulating the University of Michigan Softball Team on
winning the 2005 Softball National Championship. I know my Senate
colleagues share my admiration of the poise, skill and hard work
necessary to achieve this milestone.
Ms. STABENOW. Madam President, I rise today to congratualte the
University of Michigan softball team on winning the National Collegiate
Athletic Association championship on June 8, 2005.
Coach Carol Hutchins's team completed a remarkable season last
Wednesday on national television when Michigan took a 4-1 lead after
freshman first baseman Samantha Findlay hit a three run homer in the
10th inning.
The 2005 University of Michigan softball team had a remarkable and
historic season. They were recognized mid-season as the top ranked
collegiate softball team in America. They went on to win both the Big
Ten regular season championship and Big Ten Tournament title and then
advanced to their eighth Women's College World Series to defeat the
two-time defending champion UCLA Bruins in the three-game series
finals.
I am very proud of the women on this University of Michigan team
which finished with a school record of 65 wins and 7 losses. Several of
Michigan's players received honors during the season for their
spectacular play and at the end of the year for their consistent
excellence during the season. In fact, the Women's College World Series
Most Outstanding Player honors went to Samantha Findlay, the first
freshman position player to be so recognized. In addition, three
Michigan players were nominated for the USA Softball Collegiate Player
of the Year, two of which are finalists for the award.
The 2005 University of Michigan softball team was also very exciting
to watch because they hit a home run in 57 of 65 games during the 2005
season. They are just one of three schools in NCAA history to hit 100
home runs in a season. Michigan's fans recognized this and came out in
support of their team all year, setting a single-season home attendance
record and bringing in the top five crowds in program history.
Most importantly may be the honor given to six University of Michigan
softball players that were named to the spring 2005 Academic All-Big
Ten Conference team. I am a strong supporter of women's athletics and
believe that through their participation and accomplishments the women
of University of Michigan's 2005 national championship softball team,
and all the other women involved in collegiate athletics, provide
powerful and very positive message to girls and young women in our
country.
Mr. FRIST. I ask unanimous consent that the resolution and preamble
be agreed to en bloc, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table,
and that any statements relating thereto be printed in the Record,
without intervening action or debate.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
The resolution (S. Res. 175) was agreed to.
The preamble was agreed to.
The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:
S. Res. 175
Whereas the top-ranked University of Michigan softball team
defeated the University of California-Los Angeles (UCLA)
Bruins in the Women's College World Series 2 games to 1,
becoming only the eighth team to win the National Collegiate
Athletic Association (NCAA) Softball Championship and the
first Big Ten Conference team to claim a national title in
softball or baseball since 1966;
Whereas the University of Michigan softball team clinched
the 2005 Women's College World Series in an exciting extra-
innings game with a 3-run homer in the 10th inning to win 4
to 1;
Whereas the University of Michigan softball team hit a home
run in 57 of 65 games during the 2005 season and is just 1 of
3 schools in NCAA history to hit 100 home runs in a season;
Whereas in 2005, the University of Michigan softball team
earned its first Number 1 ranking in school history and won
its tenth Big Ten Conference championship and seventh Big Ten
Tournament title en route to advancing to its eighth Women's
College World Series;
Whereas the NCAA championship title marks the 52nd national
championship for a sports program at the University of
Michigan, the second for a women's athletic program at
Michigan, and the first for a softball program east of the
Mississippi River;
Whereas the University of Michigan softball team mounted an
impressive season record of 65 wins and 7 losses;
Whereas Coach Carol Hutchins eclipsed the 900 win mark,
capping a stellar 21 year career at Michigan that has seen
her become the most victorious coach in University of
Michigan history, currently ranking among the top 10 Division
I active coaches, with 940 career wins and a .729 winning
percentage;
Whereas 2 University of Michigan softball players,
shortstop Jessica Merchant and pitcher Jennie Ritter, were
finalists for the USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year
Award;
Whereas a record-tying 8 players from the University of
Michigan softball team were named to the Big Ten All-
Conference Team, and 6 players were named to the Spring 2005
Academic All-Big Ten Conference Team;
Whereas the University of Michigan softball team was led by
the solid coaching of Carol Hutchins, Bonnie Tholl, Jennifer
Brundage, and Jennifer Teague;
Whereas players on the University of Michigan softball team
included Stephanie Bercaw, Angie Danis, Samantha Findlay,
Alessandra Giampaolo, Tiffany Haas, Lauren Holland, Jennifer
Kreinbrink, Grace Leutele, Becky Marx, Jessica Merchant,
Rebekah Milian, Nicole Motycka, Jennie Ritter, Lauren Talbot,
Michelle Teschler, Michelle Weatherdon, Lorilyn Wilson,
Stephanie Winter, and Tiffany Worthy; and
Whereas Michigan had tremendous support from its hometown
fans during their season, setting a home attendance record in
2005, and bringing in the 5 largest crowds in program
history: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) commends the University of Michigan softball team for
winning the 2005 National Collegiate Athletic Association
Division I Championship on June 8, 2005;
(2) recognizes all of the players and coaches who were
instrumental in this achievement; and
(3) directs the Secretary of the Senate to transmit an
enrolled copy of this resolution to the University of
Michigan athletic department for appropriate display.
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