[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 64 (Wednesday, May 8, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E623]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            DRURY UNIVERSITY'S THREE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BILLY LONG

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 8, 2013

  Mr. LONG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Drury University's 
Men's Basketball and Men's and Women's Swimming and Diving Teams on 
their national championships.
  Drury University is the only school in the NCAA at any level in this 
2012-13 school year to have won three national championships.
  The Panthers Basketball Team won in dramatic fashion over Metro State 
to win 74-73 after they overcame a 17-point deficit to win on a last 
minute free throw in Atlanta, Georgia, on April 7. This is Drury's 
first NCAA-II National Basketball Championship, and it also marked 
Drury's 23rd straight win of the season. They won through their hard 
work and the sheer determination to win.
  I want to commend Head Coach Steve Hesser, Assistant Coaches Ja 
Havens and Steven Gum, and Graduate Assistant Brandon Kimbrough for 
guiding the team through its extraordinary season. Coach Hesser did a 
remarkable job, and the National Association of Basketball Coaches 
honored Coach Hesser as its National D-II Coach of the Year, an award 
he certainly deserves.
  Drury University's Men's and Women's Swimming and Diving Teams, 
coached by Brian Reynolds, swept the titles on March 9 in Birmingham, 
Alabama. This was the ninth straight national championship for the 
Drury Men--a record for NCAA Division II schools--and the fourth 
national title in the last five years for the Drury Women. I also want 
to commend Assistant Coach Jason Hite, Diving Coach Richard Hackett, 
Graduate Assistant Michal Winiewicz, and Graduate Assistant Marta 
Stepien for all their work this year.
  I also congratulate Coach Reynolds, who was named National Coach of 
the Year for both the men's and women's competitions for his efforts 
this year. Coach Reynolds has developed a truly unique and dominant 
program.
  The Springfield community is proud of the Drury teams for reaching 
such a high level of success. Drury University won three national 
titles and three national championships in the span of a month. Drury's 
national championships are remarkable achievements, and the teams will 
have memories to last a lifetime.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in congratulating the Drury Panthers 
on their outstanding athletic performances this year.

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