[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 57 (Tuesday, April 8, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E550]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING ROBERT MORRIS UNIVERSITY MEN'S ACHA DIVISION 1 HOCKEY TEAM

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                            HON. BILL FOSTER

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, April 8, 2014

  Mr. FOSTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Robert 
Morris University Men's ACHA Division 1 hockey team as the 2014 
National Champion Runners-Up. Robert Morris University is a private, 
non-profit, multi-campus university in Illinois, with an enrollment of 
approximately 6,000 students. Facing competition from prestigious 
universities with enrollments greater than 30,000, the Robert Morris 
players and coaches demonstrated remarkable stamina, character, and 
determination in realizing their goal of competing for the national 
title.
  Off the ice these student-athletes distinguished themselves 
academically as well. During the first quarter of the year, 11 players 
earned a perfect 4.0 Grade Point Average, and 21 of these hockey 
players earned a 3.0 GPA or better. The team can also boast they have a 
100 percent graduation rate, as all 9 seniors on the team will be 
graduating after 4 years.
  The life of a student-athlete can be both physically and mentally 
exhausting, as they must balance a full-time course schedule, daily 
practices, 2-3 day road trips every other week, and quite often, part-
time jobs. This is especially true for these young men, as their hockey 
season extends for over 6 months, the majority of their academic school 
year. Their ongoing dedication to excellence, both on and off the ice 
is a credit to themselves, their coaches, their school and their 
families.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Robert 
Morris University student-athletes: Mitch Tews, Mason Riley, 
Christopher Cimoch, Ryan O'Connell, Tyler Martorano, Joey Francis, Kyle 
Hamilton, Derek Winkler, Nick Ernst, Tony Domico, Derek Diaz, Gehritt 
Sargis, Markus Ellis, T.J. Karavos, Robert Chapman, Andrew Montague, 
Adam Keasey, Chris Pontello, Chayce Coenen, Oleg Popov, Paul Isleib, 
Andy DiCristofaro, Anthony Petrak, Robert Kennedy, Zach Kuta, Head 
Coach Tom Adrahtas, Assistant Coach Chad Berman and Director of Player 
Personnel Tom Wendlandt. Your outstanding achievements this year are 
truly admirable.

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