[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 57 (Tuesday, April 10, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4315-S4316]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
MSU SPARTAN HOCKEY NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP
Ms. STABENOW. Mr. President, I rise today to commend the Michigan
State University Spartans on winning the 2007 Men's National Collegiate
Hockey Championship.
On Saturday, April 7, 2007, the Michigan State University Men's
Hockey Team won the 2007 Men's Hockey National Collegiate Athletic
Association Championship by defeating Boston College by a score of 3 to
1.
In a hard-fought game, and going into the final period with a one-
goal deficit, the Spartans charged ahead to tie the game, and then
triumphantly scored a game-winning goal with only 18.9 seconds
remaining of play.
This victory constituted MSU Hockey's third national championship,
and the first since 1986. Each member of the MSU Hockey organization
made essential contributions to the team's success.
MSU Spartans' Head Coach Rick Comley has become only the third coach
in college hockey history to win national titles at two institutions,
and has earned over 700 career wins.
A record crowd of over 19,000 people attended the Frozen Four
Championship game in St. Louis, and the enthusiasm shown by the people
of Michigan and the students of MSU demonstrate Michigan's strong
support for the MSU Hockey organization.
I know how important the families and friends of the team have been
in providing unwavering support and always cheering on their Spartans.
In the final weeks of the season, with an uncertain forecast of their
playoff position, the Spartans rallied together with unrivaled team
character and focus, and starting with the 1st round playoffs in Grand
Rapids, MI, they went on undefeated to clinch the championship.
Michigan State University has always stood as a center for excellence
in both athletics and scholarship, especially with the guidance of
University President Lou Anna K. Simon, and athletic director and
renowned former MSU Hockey coach, Ron Mason.
I am a proud MSU alumnus myself, and was beyond delighted to see this
great team win the national championship.
The MSU Spartans displayed unparalleled team camaraderie, and have
shown their ability to unite both on and off the ice has led them to
well-fought victories.
The Spartan Hockey Team demonstrated superior strength, skill,
perseverance and determination and has made Michigan State University
and the entire State of Michigan proud.
I congratulate the MSU Spartan Hockey Team on winning the 2007 NCAA
Championship and recognize all the players, coaches, staff, fans, and
others who were instrumental in this great achievement.
Again, this is a wonderful day for Michigan State University. We are
very proud of our hockey members and particularly proud of a member of
my staff, Jeff Muich, whose brother Steve is a member of that team. So
with pride we congratulate Michigan State University on this wonderful
achievement.
Mr. HARKIN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the
resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motion to
reconsider be laid upon the table, and that any statements relating to
the resolution be printed in the Record.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
The resolution (S. Res. 144) was agreed to.
The preamble was agreed to.
The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:
S. Res. 144
Whereas, on Saturday, April 7, 2007, the Michigan State
University (MSU) Men's Hockey Team won the 2007 Men's Hockey
National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Championship
by defeating Boston College by a score of 3 to 1;
Whereas entering the final period with a one-goal deficit,
the Spartans rallied to tie the game at 1 to 1, and with 18.9
seconds remaining in regulation, scored the go-ahead goal to
secure MSU Hockey's third national championship, and first
since 1986;
Whereas the MSU Spartans won the NCAA Midwest Regional in
Grand Rapids, Michigan, to qualify for the Frozen Four
finals, making them the first Central Collegiate Hockey
Association team to reach the tournament finals since 1998;
Whereas each member of the MSU Hockey organization made
essential contributions to the team's success, including
players Justin Abdelkader, Tim Crowder, Jeff Dunne, Tyler
Howells, Brandon Gentile, Ethan Graham, Bobby Jarosz, Justin
Johnston, Tim Kennedy, Kurt Kivisto, Chris Lawrence, Bryan
Lerg, Jeff Lerg, Zak McClellan, Jim McKenzie, Steve Mnich,
Chris Mueller, Michael Ratchuk, Matt Schepke, Chris Snavely,
Jay Sprague, Daniel Sturges, Nick Sucharski, Ryan Turek,
Daniel Vukovic, and Brandon Warner, Head Coach Rick Comley,
Assistant Coaches Tom Newton and Brian Renfrew, and Athletic
Trainer Dave Carrier;
Whereas MSU Spartans' Head Coach Rick Comley, who was named
a 2007 National Coach of the Year finalist, became the third
coach in college hockey history to win national titles at two
institutions, the first with Northern Michigan University,
and has recorded over 700 career victories, making him the
third winningest coach amongst active coaches, and fifth
winningest in NCAA history;
Whereas at the Frozen Four Championship game in St. Louis,
a record 19,432 people attended and the enthusiasm shown by
the
[[Page S4316]]
people of Michigan and the student body of Michigan State
University clearly demonstrates Michigan's strong support for
the MSU Hockey organization and the determined effort of all
the team's players;
Whereas MSU Hockey's third NCAA title will be celebrated in
East Lansing, Michigan on Tuesday, April 10, 2007, and its
members honored with a parade followed by a rally at Munn Ice
Arena;
Whereas the families and friends of the team have provided
unwavering support and have tirelessly cheered on their
Spartans;
Whereas after many trials and tribulations in the later
part of the season, the Spartans rallied together with
unrivaled team character and focus to clinch the NCAA title;
Whereas Michigan State University has always stood as a
center for excellence in both athletics and scholarship,
under the current leadership of University President Lou Anna
K. Simon, and Athletic Director and renowned former MSU
Hockey coach Ron Mason;
Whereas the MSU Spartans displayed unparalleled team
camaraderie and have shown their ability to unite both on and
off the ice, which led to hard-fought victories throughout
the season; and
Whereas the Spartan Men's Hockey Team demonstrated superior
strength, skill, perseverance, and determination during the
2006-2007 season and has made Michigan State University and
the entire State of Michigan proud: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) congratulates the Michigan State University Men's
Hockey Team on winning the 2007 National Collegiate Athletic
Association Championship and recognizes all the players,
coaches, staff, fans, families, and others who were
instrumental in this great achievement; and
(2) directs the Secretary of the Senate to transmit an
enrolled copy of this resolution to Michigan State University
and to the MSU Spartans Men's Hockey Team for appropriate
display.
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