[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 4]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 5202]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO COACH CREAN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BARON P. HILL

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 3, 2008

  Mr. HILL. Madam Speaker, on April 2, 2008, Tom Crean was named the 
28th head basketball coach at Indiana University. I wish to 
congratulate Coach Crean and welcome him to Indiana's 9th Congressional 
District.
  Coach Crean comes to Indiana University from Marquette University. At 
Marquette, Coach Crean led the Golden Eagles to five NCAA Tournament 
appearances and a Final Four berth in 2003. Coach Crean also 
consistently graduated his players. Marquette's graduation rate was 
often ranked in the Top Ten amongst major NCAA conferences.
  Indiana's 9th Congressional District is in the heart of Hoosier 
Hysteria. Tiny Milan High School defeated Muncie Central High School in 
1954, creating inspiration for one of the greatest sports movies of all 
time, ``Hoosiers.'' Many young men and women grow up dreaming of 
walking into Assembly Hall in Bloomington and playing for the Hoosiers.
  Coach Crean is ready to embody and embrace the tradition that is 
Indiana basketball. From the five national championship banners that 
hang in Assembly Hall to the famous candy striped warm-up pants, 
Indiana University is steeped in basketball tradition. When asked why 
he left Marquette, Coach Crean simply responded, ``It's Indiana, and 
that's the bottom line.'' Coach Crean understands the tradition.
  Again, congratulations to Coach Crean. I know Hoosier fans across the 
9th District are looking forward to seeing him on the sidelines.

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