[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 171 (Wednesday, November 18, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2794]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    RECOGNIZING HARRY STATHAM FOR HIS 1,000TH VICTORY AS THE MEN'S 
     BASKETBALL COACH AT McKENDREE UNIVERSITY IN LEBANON, ILLINOIS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JERRY F. COSTELLO

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 18, 2009

  Mr. COSTELLO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to 
join me in recognizing Harry Statham who, on November 13, 2009, posted 
his 1,000th victory as coach of the McKendree Bearcats, the first coach 
of a men's 4-year college basketball program to reach that mark.
  Harry Statham began his career at McKendree College in 1966 after 5 
years as a high school coach. Forty-four years later, coaching in the 
basketball court that bears his name, Coach Statham is still at 
McKendree, now McKendree University, and has built an impressive 
program on the guiding principle of, ``You win games by getting the 
right kids.'' And Harry Statham's criteria for ``the right kids'' 
should be a model for other coaches in all sports. ``We want good 
people, good students and good basketball players--in that order,'' he 
says.
  Harry Statham has been the career wins leader for a 4-year men's 
basketball program since passing Dean Smith with his 880th victory in 
2004. His record, after the 79-49 win over East-West University on 
November 13, was 1000-318.
  Harry Statham's career is not marked solely by an impressive number 
of victories. He was named the 2001-02 NAIA Men's Basketball Coach of 
the Year and has received the AMC Coach of the Year award eight 
different times. He was a six-time recipient of the NAIA District 20 
Coach of the Year, has been named the NAIA-Illinois Basketball Coaches 
Association Men's Basketball Coach of the Year 12 times, was the 
recipient of the National Association of Basketball Coaches, NABC, 
Guardians of the Game Leadership Award and received the Distinguished 
Service Award from the United States Sports Academy.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Harry 
Statham on his milestone 1,000th victory as the men's basketball coach 
at McKendree University and to thank him for his many contributions to 
his sport, his university and his community.

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