[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 15]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 21635]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




       HONORING UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS TRACK COACH JOHN McDONNELL

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOHN BOOZMAN

                              of arkansas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 23, 2008

  Mr. BOOZMAN. Madam Speaker, John McDonnell is known as the legendary 
track coach at the University of Arkansas. His 47 national titles are 
the most by any single-gendered coach in the history of college 
athletics.
  Every single outdoor and indoor track and field event record is held 
by one of his student athletes. Winning 84 conference titles including 
34 straight in cross country, he took very little credit, often 
crediting his assistant coaches with the success.
  He was committed to mentoring, educating, and developing thousands of 
young men in the classroom and on the track. He pushed his student 
athletes to strive for excellence.
  Coach McDonnell is much more than just a coach. He often spoke about 
the importance of family in his life. During his retirement 
announcement, he talked of wanting to spend time with his wife Ellen, 
daughter Heather, and son Sean.
  His contributions as a coach, educator, and leader have brought great 
pride to Razorbacks all across the Nation. He has given so much to 
Arkansas, and all Arkansans thank him for his work. I congratulate 
Coach McDonnell for 36 years of excellence at the University of 
Arkansas.

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