[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 6]
[Senate]
[Page 7016]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




        IN RECOGNITION OF THE LADY PANTHERS OF DRURY UNIVERSITY

 Mr. BOND. Mr. President, I rise to congratulate the Drury 
University Lady Panthers basketball team on their fantastic march to 
the NCAA Division II championship game in St. Joseph, MO, on March 27, 
2004. Fans and alumni in Southwest Missouri and across the country are 
justifiably proud of the Lady Panthers.
  For years fans from the great State of Missouri have enjoyed watching 
some of America's most outstanding sports legends. The Lady Panthers 
are continuing this tradition of excellence, ending their year with an 
enviable record of 36-2. In an amazing performance, the Drury team 
battled until the end for the NCAA Division II National Championship. 
In the words of Coach Nyla Milleson, it was a tremendous journey.
  What makes this story remarkable is the fact that the Lady Panthers 
basketball team was established just 4 years ago under the direction of 
the late Dr. Bruce Harger, Drury's athletic director for 15 years. Many 
teams work for years to gain preeminence and respect in their sport. 
Thanks to the brilliant coaching of Nyla Milleson and her staff, along 
with the team's strong commitment and hard work, the Lady Panthers were 
able to achieve this distinction in a very short time.
  Coach Milleson skillfully assembled a group of talented young women, 
many from southwest Missouri where basketball takes center stage in 
most communities during the winter months. The women's team played 
their first game in 2000, joining a Drury men's team that is rich in 
tradition. With strong support from the University and its boosters, 
the Lady Panthers enjoyed immediate success, culminating in their 
championship appearance this March.
  Long known for academics, Drury University can now add women's 
basketball to its list of nationally recognized sports programs, 
continuing its tradition of excellence. There is no doubt that the 
Drury Lady Panthers are poised to compete in many more games. I 
congratulate Coach Milleson and all the Lady Panthers team members, 
coaches and supporters who worked hard to turn their dreams into 
reality.

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