[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 131 (Wednesday, September 7, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1553]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING COACH MEL TJEERDSMA

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. SAM GRAVES

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, September 7, 2011

  Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause to recognize the 
outstanding achievements of Northwest Missouri State University 
Football Coach Mel Tjeerdsma. Coach Tjeerdsma is one of the most 
successful and well respected coaches in the history of collegiate 
football, coaching Bearcat Football for 17 seasons. I join with the 
rest of the Bearcat Nation in congratulating Coach Tjeerdsma on his 
many years of success, contributions to the community and retirement.
  Mr. Speaker, Coach Tjeerdsma orchestrated arguably the greatest 
football program transformations in the history of collegiate 
athletics. In his first season, Coach Tjeerdsma went from 0-11 in 1994 
to 183-32 with three national championships and 12 conference 
championships. He coached 44 All-Americans, 119 All-MIAA student 
athletes, and 14 National Football League players. Coach Tjeerdsma's 
leadership and mentoring has made a difference in the lives of his 
student-athletes. Coach Tjeerdsma was recently recognized and inducted 
into the NCAA Division II Football Hall of Fame and the Missouri Sports 
Hall of Fame.
  Mr. Speaker, Coach Tjeerdsma is not only the Bearcat football 
program's all-time winningest coach, but his focus on the classroom is 
second to none for his student-athletes. Coach Tjeerdsma's teams have 
featured seven academic All-Americans and one National Scholar Athlete 
of the Year. Coach Tjeerdsma's football graduation rate is far above 
the national average of 53 percent with an impressive 85 percent.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join me and the rest of the Bearcat 
Family in applauding Coach Mel Tjeerdsma's outstanding achievements and 
contributions to the community and to the sport. We wish Coach 
Tjeerdsma and Carol the very best in years to come.

                          ____________________