[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 5 (Tuesday, January 15, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E8]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-WHITEWATER FOOTBALL NATIONAL 
                              CHAMPIONSHIP

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. TAMMY BALDWIN

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 15, 2008

  Ms. BALDWIN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the University of 
Wisconsin-Whitewater football team for their courageous and improbable 
victory in the 35th Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl to capture the 2007 National 
Collegiate Athletic Association Division III national championship.
  With Salem Stadium as the backdrop, Whitewater capped off an 
incredible season by beating the undefeated and top-ranked Mount Union 
College Purple Raiders to give the university its first football 
national championship. The Warhawks' third trip to Salem, Va., in as 
many years proved to be the charm. Mount Union had defeated Whitewater 
in each of the previous two Stagg Bowl games en route to a 37-game 
winning streak that has now been snapped thanks to the tremendous 
dedication and determination of all the Warhawk players, coaches, 
staff, and fans.
  To add to his already long list of accolades including 2007 Gagliardi 
Trophy winner, National Player of the Year Justin Beaver was named the 
game's Most Outstanding Player. Beaver carried the ball 31 times for 
249 yards and a touchdown, raising his season rushing total to 2,455 
yards and breaking the previous Division III record he set two years 
ago. Beaver's play was complimented by the strong performance of the 22 
other seniors who took the field for the last time at the Stagg Bowl.
  In a phenomenal first season, head coach Lance Leipold led Whitewater 
to a 14-1 record, going undefeated in league play to secure the 
Warhawks' third straight Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference 
title. Leipold took the reins of a storied program with a rich history 
that includes the likes of long-time coaches Bob Berezowitz and stadium 
namesake Forrest Perkins.
  The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater represents the best of 
student-athletics and this title serves as a major accomplishment for 
the entire state of Wisconsin. I sincerely congratulate the team and 
the university and wish them luck in their quest to repeat as national 
champions.

                          ____________________