[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 112 (Thursday, June 29, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E923]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





   CONGRATULATING THE MARYLAND TERRAPINS ON THEIR WOMEN'S AND MEN'S 
                    NATIONAL LACROSSE CHAMPIONSHIPS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. STENY H. HOYER

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 29, 2017

  Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I rise to 
congratulate the University of Maryland on its double victory last 
month in the NCAA Division I lacrosse national championships. Both the 
women's Terrapin and men's Terrapin teams brought the highest prize 
home to College Park in Maryland's Fifth District, representing the 
first time that both Maryland lacrosse teams won championships in the 
same year.
  Lacrosse has deep roots in Maryland, an older version having been 
played across eastern and central North America for centuries by Native 
American nations. That game inspired European settlers and their 
descendants in the United States and Canada to implement the modem game 
of lacrosse, which has become one of our country's most popular sports. 
Played in youth leagues, high schools, and colleges across America, 
lacrosse teaches teamwork, sportsmanship, athleticism, strategy, and 
leadership.
  The University of Maryland's lacrosse program has been competitive 
nationally even long before the NCAA's national championships first 
began for men in 1971 and for women in 1982. Since the 1930's, the 
Terrapin men's team won the Wingate Memorial Trophy several times as 
the victors of the U.S. Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association national 
championship. For the modem tournament, the Terrapin men won 
championships in 1973 and 1975 before beginning a forty-two year 
drought that ended last month with their 9-6 victory over Ohio State in 
the 2017 championship game, led by Head Coach John Tillman. Coach 
Tillman took over the Maryland lacrosse program seven years ago and has 
brought the team to six NCAA Final Four tournaments and five national 
championships. This year's men's roster included eight All-Americans, 
who helped make 2017 a year to remember.
  For the Terrapin women, winning championships became a tradition, 
with thirteen national titles since 1982, including a streak of seven 
consecutive victories from 1995 to 2001. This year, they beat Boston 
College 16-13 in a closely contested game held in Massachusetts to 
secure their fourteenth national championship. Head Coach Cathy Reese, 
herself an alumna of the University of Maryland, has been leading the 
Terrapin women since 2007. As a former Terrapin lacrosse star, Coach 
Reese was a two-time All-American and was named the NCAA tournament's 
`Most Valuable Player' in 1998. This year, her Terrapins finished the 
season with an undefeated, 23-0 record, capped by this latest national 
title. This is their third championship victory in the last four years. 
Five of the team's athletes were named All-Americans for 2017.
  Both teams were led by standout stars, and for the first time in NCAA 
lacrosse history both recipients of the prestigious Tewaaraton Award, 
which honors the top men's and women's players each year, were won by 
Maryland athletes. For the women's team, midfielder and captain Zoe 
Stukenberg brought home the award, while for the men attackman Matt 
Rambo received the honor. Both of them have also been nominated for 
Espy awards, with the winners to be announced on July 12.
  I'm proud that the University of Maryland is a national powerhouse 
for both athletics and academics, leading the country both on the 
playing field and in classrooms and laboratories. I join in 
congratulating our victorious Terrapins and wishing them much success 
as they prepare for next season and to defend their historic double-
victory.

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