[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 21 (Wednesday, February 1, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Page S210]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





SENATE RESOLUTION 22--CONGRATULATING THE SOUTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY 
     JACKRABBITS ON WINNING THE 2023 NATIONAL COLLEGIATE ATHLETIC 
     ASSOCIATION DIVISION I FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP SUBDIVISION TITLE

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

                               S. Res. 22

       Whereas, on January 8, 2023, the South Dakota State 
     University (referred to in this preamble as ``SDSU'') 
     Jackrabbits defeated the North Dakota State University Bison 
     by a score of 45 to 21 in the 2023 National Collegiate 
     Athletic Association (referred to in this preamble as the 
     ``NCAA'') Division I Football Championship Subdivision 
     (referred to in this preamble as the ``FCS'') Championship 
     game in Frisco, Texas;
       Whereas this is the first national championship for the 
     SDSU Jackrabbits football program and first team national 
     championship in the NCAA Division I era for SDSU athletics;
       Whereas the SDSU Jackrabbits finished the 2022-2023 season 
     with an overall record of 14 wins and 1 loss, with 8 wins and 
     0 losses in the Missouri Valley Football Conference, 
     including earning a number 1 seed in the FCS playoffs;
       Whereas the SDSU Jackrabbits have qualified for the FCS 
     playoffs the past 11 seasons;
       Whereas the 2022-2023 SDSU Jackrabbits--
       (1) averaged 34.2 points and 384.6 yards per game; and
       (2) allowed only 15.8 points and 273.9 yards per game on 
     average;
       Whereas the SDSU head coach, John Stiegelmeier, was awarded 
     the 2022 American Football Coaches Association National Coach 
     of the Year Award for the FCS and the Stats Perform 2022 
     Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award;
       Whereas Coach Stiegelmeier, a native of Selby, South 
     Dakota, announced his retirement after 26 seasons as head 
     coach of the SDSU Jackrabbits, finishing his head coaching 
     career at SDSU, his alma mater, with a record of 199 wins and 
     112 losses; and
       Whereas SDSU President Barry Dunn and Athletic Director 
     Justin Sell have cultivated a standard of excellence within 
     SDSU athletics and guided the athletic programs at SDSU to 
     national prominence: Now, therefore, be it:
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) congratulates and honors the South Dakota State 
     University football team on a successful season and for 
     winning the 2023 National Collegiate Athletic Association 
     Division I Football Championship Subdivision title;
       (2) recognizes the hard work, dedication, determination, 
     and commitment of the South Dakota State University football 
     players, coaches, and staff;
       (3) commends the Head Coach of the South Dakota State 
     University Jackrabbits football team, John Stiegelmeier, for 
     his dedication and service to the South Dakota State 
     University football program; and
       (4) respectfully requests that the Secretary of the Senate 
     transmit an enrolled copy of this resolution to--
       (A) the President of South Dakota State University, Barry 
     Dunn;
       (B) the Athletic Director of South Dakota State University, 
     Justin Sell; and
       (C) the Head Coach of the South Dakota State University 
     Jackrabbits football team, John Stiegelmeier.

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