[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 1]
[Senate]
[Pages 1403-1404]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY LAKERS

  Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, I would like to congratulate the Grand 
Valley State Lakers on winning the 2006 Division II National 
Championship. Grand Valley completed a highly entertaining and 
rewarding season on December 16, 2006, when they defeated Northwest 
Missouri State 17-14 in the championship game. This victory is a great 
source of pride for all those affiliated with Grand Valley State 
University and for the State of Michigan.
  It was a record breaking year on many fronts for the Grand Valley 
State Football team. This victory was the culmination of a perfect 15-0 
season for the Lakers. Under the guidance of Coach Chuck Martin, Grand 
Valley State won their fourth Division II Championship in the last 5 
years. During this time, the Lakers have become a powerhouse in 
Division II football and have a .709 winning percentage. Since 1999, 
they have an extraordinary 86-9 record, which is the second highest in 
all of college football. Moreover, quarterback Cullen Finnerty became 
the most prolific offensive player in college football history this 
year. In his 4-year career, Finnerty amassed a 51-4 record and led the 
Lakers to three national championships. As quarterback of the Lakers, 
Finnerty finished his career with over 10,000 total yards, including 
over 2,000 yards rushing.
  The championship game provided its share of excitement. The thousands 
of GVSU fans and supporters who made the trip from the campus in 
Allendale to the stadium in Florence, AL, were not disappointed with 
the result. It proved to be a hard fought contest between two great 
teams. Grand Valley State eventually forced three crucial turnovers in 
the game, which included a NW Missouri St. fumble in the Grand Valley 
end zone late in the fourth quarter. Junior cornerback Bill Brenchin 
made significant contributions on all three plays. Brenchin ended the 
game with two interceptions and recovered the fumble in the end zone as 
NW Missouri St. attempted to tie or win the game. Overall, the Grand 
Valley defense was too much for NW Missouri St. to overcome, and, the 
Laker offense, under Finnerty's direction had more than enough weapons 
to stifle the opposing defense.
  I am proud to recognize the Grand Valley State football team for 
their remarkable achievements on the field this year. They have proven 
that hard work, dedication and commitment can produce great results. 
The members of the team should be proud of their efforts and should 
savor their recent success. They have been a tremendous source of 
inspiration for both the Grand Valley State community and the entire 
State of Michigan.
  Each member of the Grand Valley State team, including Anthony Adams,

[[Page 1404]]

Sam Allen, Matt Bakker, Lyle Banks, Brandon Barnes, Ryan Bass, Matt 
Beaty, Nate Beebe, P.J. Beuke, Chad Biggar, Scott Blasko, Cameron 
Bradfield, Bill Brechin, Drew Burton, Tory Buter, Samad Cain, Robert 
Carlisle, Brandon Carr, Tony Carr, Tony Carreri, Kirk Carruth, Todd 
Carter, Mark Catlin, Carlos Clark, Aaron Conti, Greg Copeland, 
Mendalson Covington, Anthony Crump, Joe Davis, Corey Edwards, Jeremy 
Ehinger, Billy Eisenhardt, Ian Evans, Eric Ewing, Gary Fant, Chris 
Favors, Cullen Finnerty, Matt Flutur, Dan Foster, Eric Fowler, Preston 
Garris, Ryan Gaydosh, Alex Gilde, Brennen Blass, John Godush, Maurice 
Gore, Mike Graham, D.D. Hardy, James Hardy, Brett Harris, Jacob Henige, 
Brett Hines, Drew Hinkle, Tyler Holtz, Nick Hopkins, Brad Hull, Brad 
Iciek, Jay Jandasek, Nate John, Blake Johncock, Derrick Jones, Sam 
Jones, Zach Jones, Lamar Keith, Mike Koster, Buster Larkins, Mike 
Leiffers, Astin Martin, John Matthews, Nick McDonald, Mike McFadden, 
Jacob McGuckin, Byron Miles, David Misiewicz, Terry Mitchell, Jaquon 
Morrison, Mike Mukuna, Frank Mulder, Jordan Munson, Doug Neumeyer, 
Courtney Partee, Denny Pittman, Justin Pollock, Danny Richard, Chad 
Richardson, Sean Roland, Matt Russell, Brandon Ryan, Mike Scherpenberg, 
Felix Sharpe, Dan Skuta, Blake Smolen, Chad Somerville, Derek 
Stansbery, Bretty Stengele, Sean Stevens, Alex Szarenski, Joey Teague, 
Bryan Thomas, Tony Thompson, Jacob Topp, Lance Travis, Antoine Trent, 
Justin Trumble, Justin Ulberg, Justin Victor, Matt Wade, John Wasmund, 
Collin Williams, Justin Winsor, Joe Wohlscheid, and James Wojiechowski, 
made meaningful contributions to the success of the football team and 
proved once again the strength of teamwork and commitment.
  I know my colleagues in the Senate join me in congratulating Coach 
Martin and the 2006 Grand Valley State Lakers on their Division II 
National Championship.

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