[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 90 (Tuesday, May 24, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Page S2668]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SENATE RESOLUTION 649--CONGRATULATING THE NORTHWEST MISSOURI STATE 
  UNIVERSITY BEARCATS MEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM ON WINNING THE 2022 MEN'S 
    DIVISION II NATIONAL COLLEGIATE ATHLETICS ASSOCIATION NATIONAL 
                              CHAMPIONSHIP

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

                              S. Res. 649

       Whereas, on March 26, 2022, the Northwest Missouri State 
     University Bearcats men's basketball team (referred to in 
     this preamble as ``the Bearcats'') clinched their fourth 
     National Collegiate Athletics Association National 
     Championship (referred to in this preamble as ``NCAA National 
     Championship'') in 6 years in a triumphant 67-58 victory over 
     the Augusta University Jaguars;
       Whereas the Bearcats should be proud of the storied history 
     of the Northwest Missouri State University basketball 
     program, dating back to 1905, the year during which the 
     University was founded;
       Whereas the Bearcats should be commended for their 
     achievements and dedication during the 2021-2022 season;
       Whereas the victory of the Bearcats in the 2022 Men's 
     Division II NCAA National Championship, which marked the 
     third consecutive NCAA National Championship for the team, 
     cemented the place of the Bearcats in Men's Division II NCAA 
     National Championship basketball history as the first 
     ``three-peat'';
       Whereas the Augusta University Jaguars should be commended 
     on their efforts and success during an unprecedented season 
     amid the coronavirus pandemic;
       Whereas the city of Evansville, Indiana, and the National 
     Collegiate Athletics Association 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 6-0 during the 2022 NCAA National 
     Championship tournament with an average margin of victory of 
     14 points;
       Whereas the Bearcats clinched a first round victory against 
     Minnesota State University Moorhead with a score of 69-54;
       Whereas the Bearcats clinched a second round victory 
     against Washburn University with a score of 70-55;
       Whereas the Bearcats clinched a third round victory against 
     Augustana University with a score of 70-56;
       Whereas the Bearcats clinched a quarterfinals victory 
     against Bentley University with a score of 61-43;
       Whereas the Bearcats clinched a semifinals victory against 
     Black Hills State University with a score of 70-57;
       Whereas the Bearcats claimed their third consecutive NCAA 
     National Championship title by defeating Augusta University 
     with a score of 67-58;
       Whereas Trevor Hudgins should be commended for his role in 
     the victory of the Bearcats by scoring a game-high 31 points;
       Whereas 3 members of the Bearcats scored in the double 
     digits and should be commended for their scoring efforts:
       (1) Trevor Hudgins;
       (2) Luke Waters; and
       (3) Mitch Mascari;
       Whereas Trevor Hudgins and Luke Waters should be celebrated 
     for their selection to the Elite Eight National Collegiate 
     Athletics Association All-Tournament Team;
       Whereas Trevor Hudgins was awarded ``Most Outstanding 
     Player of Division II Men's Basketball Elite Eight'' and an 
     award for a second consecutive National Association of 
     Basketball Coaches Division II Player of the Year;
       Whereas Ben McCollum was selected for the Clarence ``Big 
     House'' Gaines Coach of the Year award for the third time in 
     his career and the National Association of Basketball Coaches 
     Division II Coach of the Year for the fifth time in his 
     career;
       Whereas the entire Northwest Missouri State University 
     basketball program should be commended for their Division II 
     record of 17 consecutive tournaments wins;
       Whereas the Bearcats won their ninth consecutive Mid-
     America Intercollegiate Athletics Association regular season 
     title;
       Whereas the Bearcats captured their tenth Mid-America 
     Intercollegiate Athletics Association Tournament championship 
     with an 84-76 win over Washburn on March 6, 2022 at Municipal 
     Auditorium in Kansas City, Missouri;
       Whereas the entire Bearcats roster contributed to the NCAA 
     National Championship victory, including Daniel Abreu, Byron 
     Alexander, Diego Bernard, Blake Danitschek, Wes Dreamer, 
     Trevor Hudgins, Isaiah Jackson, Mitch Mascari, Luke 
     Moustakas, Spencer Schomers, Christian Stanislav, and Luke 
     Waters;
       Whereas the entire Bearcats coaching staff contributed to 
     the NCAA National Championship victory, including Ben 
     McCollum, Zach Schneider, Xavier Kurth, Dray Starzl, Jaran 
     Richman, and Jake Coffman; and
       Whereas the 3 consecutive NCAA National Championship 
     victories of the Bearcats provide a sense of excitement and 
     pride for the City of Maryville, Missouri, 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, the entire Northwest Missouri 
     State University community, Mayor of Maryville Tye Parsons, 
     University President Dr. John Jasinski, Governor Mike Parson, 
     and fans of the Bearcats on the National Collegiate Athletics 
     Association National Championship victory; and
       (2) respectfully directs the Secretary of the Senate to 
     transmit an enrolled copy of this resolution to--
       (A) President of Northwest Missouri State University John 
     Jasinski;
       (B) Head Coach of the Northwest Missouri State University 
     men's basketball team Ben McCollum; and
       (C) Mayor of Maryville, Missouri, Tye Parsons.

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