[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 105 (Wednesday, June 27, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Page S8605]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       KEAN UNIVERSITY CHAMPIONS

 Mr. LAUTENBERG. Mr. President, I wish to pay tribute to the 
Kean University Cougars baseball team's dramatic victory in the 2007 
NCAA Division III National Championships. Bringing joy to the more than 
13,000 Kean University students and all of the Cougar fans in Union, 
NJ, Kean University capped off their impressive season with a thrilling 
5-to-4 victory in the 10th inning of the championship game. The victory 
ushered in the Cougars' first baseball championship title and was the 
culmination of an inspiring undefeated run through the postseason.
  Throughout the season the team played with courage and determination. 
Boasting a roster with 28 New Jerseyans, the Cougars finished in first 
place in the New Jersey Athletic Conference, NJAC, with an impressive 
record of 15 wins and only 3 losses, best in the conference. Although 
the Cougars fell to the College of New Jersey in the conference 
championships, the team recovered quickly and finished the season with 
an overall record of 43 wins and 8 losses and the national 
championship.
  Championship baseball requires strong leadership, and under coach 
Neil Ioviero, the Cougars played team baseball that allowed them to 
realize their full potential. With the help of assistant coaches Jamie 
Ioviero, Lewis France, Jack Nagy, Francisco Romero, and Frank Beckhorn, 
the coaching staff created a winning environment and offered the 
guidance that allowed the Cougars to excel on the field.
  The entire Cougars squad played with heart and the championship was 
truly a team effort. I would like to congratulate and commend all of 
the players on the Kean University 2007 Division III Championship Team: 
Maikel De La Rosa, Ryan Clark, Joseph Augustine, Mike Shymanski, Keith 
Kwiatek, Aaron Richard, Joseph D'Andrea, Eric Ammirata, Perry Schatzow, 
Chris Carrano, Thomas Paglione, Brandon Aich, Mike Manganiello, Kevin 
O'Neill, Kyle Murphy, Andrew Cupido, Colin Feneis, Matt Donaghue, Derek 
Gianakas, Mark Blevins, Dan Mattonelli, Matt Grinkevich, Joe Rizzo, Tim 
Lowe, Daniel Zeffiro, Joe Bartlinski, Matt Merrigan, Nick Nolan and 
Nick Cesare.
  Mr. President, on behalf of the State of New Jersey I am honored to 
congratulate the Cougars for their NCAA Division III Championship 
season. They played hard and displayed an admirable commitment to 
competition and sportsmanship that instills a sense of pride in the 
students of Kean University, the team's fans, and the people of my 
State.

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