[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 69 (Wednesday, April 21, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Page S2128]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SENATE RESOLUTION 168--CONGRATULATING THE NORTHWEST MISSOURI STATE 
  UNIVERSITY BEARCATS MEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM ON WINNING THE 2021 NCAA 
                MEN'S DIVISION II NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

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

                              S. Res. 168

       Whereas, on March 27, 2021, the Northwest Missouri State 
     University Bearcats men's basketball team (in this preamble 
     referred to as the ``Bearcats'') clinched their third 
     National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) Division II 
     National Championship in 5 years in a landslide 80-54 victory 
     over the West Texas A&M University Buffaloes;
       Whereas the Bearcats should be proud of their University's 
     storied history dating back to the inception of the school in 
     1905;
       Whereas the Bearcats should be commended for their success 
     and perseverance throughout the 2020-2021 season despite 
     uncertainty during the coronavirus outbreak;
       Whereas the Bearcats' victory marked the men's basketball 
     team's second consecutive national championship, cementing 
     the Bearcats' place atop NCAA Division II men's basketball;
       Whereas the West Texas A&M University Buffaloes should also 
     be commended on their efforts and success throughout an 
     unprecedented season during the COVID-19 pandemic;
       Whereas the city of Evansville, Indiana, and the NCAA 
     should be commended for their efforts in providing a safe 
     environment for the student athletes and staff during the 
     championship tournament;
       Whereas the Bearcats went 3-0 during the championship 
     tournament with an average margin of victory of 26 points;
       Whereas the Bearcats clinched a first round victory against 
     West Liberty by a score of 98-77;
       Whereas the Bearcats clinched a second round victory 
     against Flagler by a score of 77-46;
       Whereas the Bearcats claimed their title as back-to-back 
     national champions by defeating West Texas A&M by a score of 
     80-54;
       Whereas Ryan Hawkins should be commended for his role in 
     the Bearcats' national championship victory by scoring a 
     game-high 31 points while securing 18 rebounds;
       Whereas 3 additional starting members of the Bearcats, Wes 
     Dreamer, Trevor Hudgins, and Luke Waters, each scored in the 
     double digits in the championship game and should be 
     commended for their scoring efforts;
       Whereas Wes Dreamer and Ryan Hawkins should each be 
     commended for achieving a double-double in the championship 
     game by scoring and rebounding in the double digits;
       Whereas Ryan Hawkins and Trevor Hudgins should be 
     celebrated for their selection to the Elite Eight All-
     Tournament Team;
       Whereas Ryan Hawkins should further be recognized for being 
     named as the Elite Eight's Most Outstanding Player;
       Whereas the entire Bearcats roster should be commended for 
     their 50 percent field goal percentage and 47 percent 3-point 
     shooting;
       Whereas the entire Bearcats roster contributed to the 
     national championship victory, including Spencer Schomers, 
     Diego Bernard, Jaran Richman, Isaiah Jackson, Wes Dreamer, 
     Byron Alexander, Trevor Hudgins, Mitch Mascari, Daric Laing, 
     Ryan Hawkins, Christian Stanislav, Luke Waters, and Daniel 
     Abreu;
       Whereas the entire Bearcats coaching staff contributed to 
     the national championship victory, including Ben McCollum, 
     Zach Schneider, Xavier Kurth, Dray Starzl, Nick Peters, 
     Justin Dickerson, Sam Hawley, and Landon Graver; and
       Whereas the Bearcats back-to-back national championships 
     provide a sense of excitement and pride to the City of 
     Maryville and Bearcat nation across Missouri: Now, therefore, 
     be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) congratulates the Northwest Missouri State University 
     Bearcats men's basketball team and the entire University, 
     Mayor of Maryville Benjamin Lipiec, University President Dr. 
     John Jasinski, Governor Mike Parson, and fans of the Bearcats 
     on their national championship; and
       (2) respectfully directs the Secretary of the Senate to 
     transmit an enrolled copy of this resolution to--
       (A) the President of Northwest Missouri State University;
       (B) head coach Ben McCollum; and
       (C) Mayor Benjamin Lipiec.

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