[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 176 (Wednesday, October 25, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5171-S5172]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    RECOGNIZING WOMEN'S COLLEGIATE ATHLETICS AND THE RECORD-SETTING 
          VOLLEYBALL DAY IN NEBRASKA EVENT ON AUGUST 30, 2023

  Mrs. FISCHER. Mr. President, on August 30, Nebraska made history. 
Thousands of spectators streamed into Lincoln's Memorial Stadium for 
two women's volleyball matches: the first between the University of 
Nebraska at Kearney and Wayne State College and the second between the 
University of Nebraska-Lincoln and the University of Nebraska Omaha.
  On Volleyball Day in Nebraska, we broke a world record. Our Nebraska 
team set the new record for attendance at a women's sporting event: 
92,003 fans. Volleyball Day in Nebraska took months of preparation to 
pull off, but the University of Nebraska did it successfully. Our 
Nebraska colleges planned and worked hard in anticipation of this new 
record. It is a picture of Nebraska. We are a State that is defined by 
dedication, drive, and--most of all--by community.
  Nebraskans showcased that dedication and drive as they came together 
to get as many people as possible in the stands. And when they got 
there, they supported and encouraged players and fans alike. Whether 
the spectators were Husker, Maverick, Lopers, or Wildcat fans, they 
showed sportsmanship and good will.
  In response to Nebraska's exciting new record, we are passing a 
resolution today that would celebrate women's collegiate athletics in 
our home State. This resolution will recognize the historic Volleyball 
Day in Nebraska on a Federal level.
  In addition to attendance at a women's sporting event, Volleyball Day 
in Nebraska broke several other records. The event exceeded the 
previous attendance record for NCAA women's volleyball. The new women's 
volleyball record of 92,003 fans in attendance is almost five times 
more than the old record of 18,755. The August 30 match also exceeded 
the attendance record for UNL's Memorial Stadium.
  Our resolution specifically honors Nebraska's former coach Pat 
Sullivan, who started the University of Nebraska volleyball program in 
1975. It also honors former coach Terry Pettit, who built the 
volleyball program from 1977 to 1999, and current coach John Cook, who 
has sustained excellence in this program since the year 2000.
  And the team has sustained excellence ever since Volleyball Day in 
Nebraska. Our UNL women's volleyball team won the battle of the 
undefeated against Wisconsin this past weekend, and our team is now 
ranked No. 1. This Senate resolution celebrates a special day for 
women, for volleyball players, and for all Nebraskans. I am proud to 
bring well-deserved recognition to this unique accomplishment. As we 
often say, there is no place like Nebraska.
  And I would yield the floor to my colleague from Nebraska, Senator 
Ricketts.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The junior Senator from Nebraska.
  Mr. RICKETTS. Mr. President, I am here today to join my senior 
Senator to celebrate this historic achievement for our State of 
Nebraska and women's athletics.
  Nebraskans, we love our sports. And we are particularly proud of the 
University of Nebraska-Lincoln Cornhuskers. Today, I especially want to 
point out our pride in the UNL women's volleyball program. As my senior 
Senator just recognized, they are the No. 1 team in the Nation. We have 
had five national championships in volleyball in the State of Nebraska. 
It is the third most in the NCAA. That is also as many national 
championships as we have had for our college football team. The 
volleyball program has nine former Olympians. The Husker women have 
also played on the U.S. National Team. In fact, three of them are on 
that team right now. They are also pioneers in name, image, and 
likeness.
  As my senior Senator pointed out, we just beat the previous No. 1, 
undefeated University of Wisconsin Badgers on Saturday night in a five-
set thriller that lived up to its billing as the match of the century. 
In 2022, our volleyball team led the Nation with an average attendance 
of 8,190 fans per game. We have had 314 consecutive sellouts in the 
regular season. And for the last nine consecutive seasons, we have led 
the Nation in attendance.
  But earlier this year, Nebraskans helped the women's volleyball 
program reach a new height, a world record. It was Volleyball Day in 
Nebraska: 92,003 of the best fans in sports jammed into Memorial 
Stadium to watch four women's volleyball programs highlight their 
talent. The Wayne State College Wildcats took on the University of 
Nebraska at Kearney Lopers, and the

[[Page S5172]]

Omaha Mavericks took on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Cornhuskers. 
The eyes of the entire world were focused on Memorial Stadium.
  Right in my home State of Nebraska, we had the most highly attended 
women's sporting event in the world ever. As Omaha World-Herald 
columnist Tom Shatel wrote:

       Volleyball Day in Nebraska may be the biggest Title IX 
     statement of all time.

  Volleyball Day demonstrated just how much progress we have made in 
providing equal opportunity to our daughters, granddaughters, and 
sisters in sports. Title IX was about leveling the playing field for 
women's athletics. And for over 50 years, it has done just that. And, 
of course, this is more than just about sports for many of these women. 
Athletics have been a pathway for scholarships, educational 
opportunities, and career pathways.
  The University of Nebraska also prides itself in instilling life 
skills into its student athletes. The Huskers Women's Volleyball 
Program has been filled with remarkable student athletes in the truest 
sense of the word. They lead the Nation with 40 volleyball Academic 
All-Americans as part of a nation-leading 351 Academic All-Americans in 
all sports. They also have three NCAA volleyball Elite 90 award 
winners.
  The players are the stars. But, of course, you can't have a good team 
without a good coach. The Nebraska women's volleyball program has a 
great one in Coach John Cook. Coach Cook has been a part of the 
Nebraska volleyball family for 23 years. During that time, the team has 
made the NCAA playoffs every single year. Under his eye, the women's 
volleyball team has won four national championships. And in September 
of 2022, Coach Cook celebrated his 800th career coaching win.
  The Huskers' tagline is: ``In our grit, our glory.'' Volleyball Day 
in Nebraska and a new world record in attendance at a women's sporting 
event is the epitome of this motto.
  Congratulations to everyone at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln 
whose grit made Volleyball Day possible and to all the other programs 
who participated.
  I also want to thank vice chancellor and athletic director Trev 
Alberts and his team for their efforts. Thanks also to Coach Cook and 
his staff, and most especially, thank you to the women of the 
University of Nebraska volleyball program. You have given us something 
very special to be proud of. Truly, there is no place like Nebraska. 
Nebraska is what America is supposed to be.
  And, finally, thank you to the senior Senator from Nebraska for 
introducing this resolution. I am proud to join you in recognizing this 
great achievement.
  I yield back.
  Mrs. FISCHER. Mr. President, I would like to thank my colleague 
Senator Ricketts for his great comments in recognizing the women's 
volleyball team, the State of Nebraska, and the great people that we 
have.
  Mr. President, and with that, I would ask unanimous consent that the 
Senate proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 428, submitted earlier 
today.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The senior assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 428) recognizing women's collegiate 
     athletics and record-setting Volleyball Day in Nebraska event 
     on August 30, 2023.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mrs. FISCHER. I ask unanimous consent the resolution be agreed to, 
the preamble be agreed to, and the motions to reconsider be considered 
made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 428) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  (The resolution, with its preamble, is printed in today's Record 
under ``Submitted Resolutions.'')
  Mrs. FISCHER. Mr. President, I yield the floor.

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