[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 4]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 5933]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




        CONGRATULATING NIAGARA UNIVERSITY MEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. LOUISE McINTOSH SLAUGHTER

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 7, 2007

  Ms. SLAUGHTER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Niagara 
University Men's Basketball Team on winning the 2007 Metro Atlantic 
Athletic Conference (MAAC) Tournament on March 5, 2007. Their 83-79 win 
over Siena University clinched the Purple Eagles' second MAAC 
championship and NCAA tournament appearance in the last three years. 
Niagara University has become the first team from Western New York 
since the 1960s to get to the NCAA tournament twice in a three-year 
span.
  In addition to winning the MAAC championship, Niagara University 
recorded its 11th straight victory, the program's longest winning 
streak since its 1992-93 season. Their victory was a total team effort. 
Freshman guard Tyrone Lewis led the way with a career-high 24 points, 
earning him the tournament's most valuable player award. Senior guard 
Lorenzo Miles added 21 points, while classmate Clif Brown recorded 14 
points and 16 rebounds. Both Miles and Brown were named to the all-
tournament squad. Junior forward Charron Fisher also posted a double-
double, his sixth of the season, with 13 points and 12 rebounds.
  Certainly all of the talented Niagara University players deserve 
praise for their part in bringing Niagara University back into March 
Madness. But a team is only as successful as its leader, and Coach Joe 
Mihalich is one of the class acts of the NCAA. Now in his ninth season 
at Niagara University, Coach Mihalich demands accountability from his 
players both on and off the court, and is a strong role model for the 
entire university community. Under his guidance, the Purple Eagles have 
advanced to the MAAC Championship game four times in the last six 
years, and have posted nine-straight winning seasons. Along the way, 
Mihalich quietly has collected the second-most wins in school history.
  Madam Speaker, I could not be prouder of the Niagara University's 
Purple Eagles, and I wish to commend University President Father Joseph 
Levesque, the coaching staff and players, and students for this 
championship season. I will be watching the team's first round game in 
the NCAA tournament as they continue their winning streak and keep 
Niagara University on the national stage.

                          ____________________