[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 5]
[Senate]
[Page 6338]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




            TRIBUTE TO THE UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT CATAMOUNTS

 Mr. JEFFORDS. Mr. President, I rise today to congratulate 
coach Tom Brennan and the University of Vermont Catamounts for their 
56-55 victory over home team Boston University in the America East 
Men's Basketball Championship game this past Saturday. Matt Sheftic, a 
native of Essex Junction, VT, scored a career-high 23 points in the 
conference final and was named Tournament Most Outstanding Player. In a 
dramatic finish to a hard-fought contest, David Hehn hit the winning 
shot with just 5.6 seconds remaining. As time expired you could hear 
cheers from Boston to Brattleboro to Burlington.
  The Vermont Catamounts will now play the top-seeded Arizona Wildcats 
on Thursday. The game marks Vermont's first-ever appearance in the NCAA 
tournament. Although the Catamounts will be a heavy underdog, they 
bring a 21-7 record, conference player of the year Taylor Coppenrath, 
of West Barnet, VT, and the heart and determination of every player and 
coach on the UVM team. In addition, the support and enthusiasm of all 
Vermonters will travel with the team to the Huntsman Center in Salt 
Lake City.
  I congratulate each member of the team: Coach Tom Brennan, Associate 
Head Coach Jesse Agel, Assistant Coach Pat Filien, Assistant Coach Jeff 
Rush, David Hehn, Germain Njila, Matt Sheftic, Grant Anderson, Taylor 
Coppenrath, Jack Phelan, Andre Anderson, Mike Goia, Corey Sullivan, 
Scotty Jones, T.J. Sorrentine, and Martin Klimes.
  As the team prepares for the Arizona game, I want to extend my 
congratulations and best wishes to the Catamounts. GO, CATS, 
GO.

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