[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 21 (Thursday, February 4, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Page S674]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SENATE RESOLUTION 363--CONGRATULATING THE UNIVERSITY OF MOUNT UNION 
    FOOTBALL TEAM FOR WINNING THE 2015 NATIONAL COLLEGIATE ATHLETIC 
             ASSOCIATION DIVISION III FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

  Mr. BROWN (for himself and Mr. Portman) submitted the following 
resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 363

       Whereas, on December 18, 2015, the University of Mount 
     Union Purple Raiders football team (referred to in this 
     preamble as the ``Purple Raiders'') won the 2015 National 
     Collegiate Athletic Association (referred to in this preamble 
     as the ``NCAA'') Division III Football Championship with a 49 
     to 35 victory over the University of St. Thomas Tommies;
       Whereas the head coach of the Purple Raiders led the team 
     to a national championship win in his third year as the head 
     coach of the Purple Raiders;
       Whereas the University of Mount Union has won 12 national 
     championships in NCAA Division III football;
       Whereas the victory of the Purple Raiders broke their own 
     record for the most national titles in football held by a 
     program in any division;
       Whereas the Purple Raiders defeated the 2014 national 
     champion, the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Warhawks, in 
     the semifinal of the 2015 season, 36 to 6, to advance to the 
     national championship game;
       Whereas, in the 2015 national championship game--
       (1) the running back of the Purple Raiders, number 34, 
     rushed for 220 yards and 2 touchdowns on 25 carries;
       (2) the quarterback of the Purple Raiders, number 11, threw 
     for 201 yards and 3 touchdowns with zero interceptions;
       (3) the wide receiver of the Purple Raiders, number 3, 
     caught 5 passes for 127 yards, including a 63-yard catch;
       (4) the freshman defensive back of the Purple Raiders, 
     number 21, recorded the only interception by any player in 
     the game;
       Whereas, in the 2015 football season, the Purple Raiders--
       (1) finished with a record of 14 wins and zero losses;
       (2) continued a 103-game regular season winning streak, 
     which began in 2005; and
       (3) won the Ohio Athletic Conference championship, which 
     was--
       (A) the 24th consecutive Ohio Athletic Conference title won 
     by the Purple Raiders; and
       (B) the 27th conference title won by the Purple Raiders;
       Whereas, in the 2015 football season--
       (1) the junior offensive lineman of the Purple Raiders, 
     number 52, was named the winner of the Division III Rimington 
     Award, which is awarded to the most outstanding center in 
     NCAA Division III football;
       (2) the senior defensive lineman of the Purple Raiders, 
     number 90, was named to the American Football Coaches 
     Association Division III Coaches' All-America team;
       (3) the senior linebacker of the Purple Raiders, number 4, 
     a 3-time team captain, was named--
       (A) a winner of the NCAA ELITE 90 award for the third 
     straight year; and
       (B) the Academic All-American of the Year for Division III 
     football by the College Sports Information Directors of 
     America; and
       (4) the senior safety of the Purple Raiders, number 31, was 
     named 1 of the 10 finalists for the Gagliardi Trophy, which 
     is awarded to the top all-around player in NCAA Division III 
     football;
       Whereas the President and the director of athletics of the 
     University of Mount Union have fostered a continuing 
     tradition of athletic and academic excellence at the 
     University of Mount Union;
       Whereas the University of Mount Union has proven to be a 
     perennial championship contender in NCAA Division III 
     football; and
       Whereas the marching band, cheerleaders, students, faculty, 
     alumni, and fans of the University of Mount Union have 
     supported the Purple Raiders through a season filled with 
     triumph: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) congratulates the University of Mount Union Purple 
     Raiders football team for winning the 2015 National 
     Collegiate Athletic Association Division III Football 
     Championship;
       (2) recognizes the players, coaches, staff, and fans of the 
     University of Mount Union Purple Raiders football team, whose 
     hard work led to the team winning the 2015 National 
     Collegiate Athletic Association Division III Football 
     Championship; and
       (3) respectfully requests that the Secretary of the Senate 
     prepare an official copy of this resolution for presentation 
     to--
       (A) the President of the University of Mount Union;
       (B) the director of athletics of the University of Mount 
     Union; and
       (C) the head coach of the University of Mount Union 
     football team.

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