[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 5]
[Senate]
[Page 7105]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  CONGRATULATING DAVENPORT UNIVERSITY

 Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, I congratulate Davenport on the 
recent successes of their Athletic Department and student athletes. The 
men's hockey team won their first American Collegiate Hockey 
Association, ACHA, Division II National Championship with a 5-2 victory 
over Indiana University. The women's basketball team won the Wolverine 
Hoosier Athletic Conference Championship, WHAC, and made it to the 
Sweet 16 of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics, 
NAIA, Division II National Tournament. These are both extraordinary 
feats considering the Athletic Department at Davenport University was 
formed only 6 years ago. Both programs were honored in a celebration at 
Davenport University on March 26, 2008. These accomplishments bring 
great joy and satisfaction to all those associated with Davenport 
University and across the State of Michigan.
  The hockey team's National Championship came after a third 
consecutive appearance in the ACHA Division II Final Four. The 
championship game ended an exciting week in Fort Myers, FL. Outscoring 
their five opponents by a combined total of 40-7, the Panthers 
dominated with their strong offensive attack. Under the leadership of 
head coach Paul Lowden, the team finished the season with a 35-11-4 
record and won their third straight Great Midwest Hockey League, GMHL, 
regular season and tournament titles.
  Each player of the Davenport University team made significant 
contributions to the winning season, including Alex Mikla, Wes 
Baughman, Pat Collar, Justin Poorman, Bill McSween, Jon Stolarz, Jeremy 
Bultema, Justin Welker, Eric Troup, Will Collar, Rick Gadwa, Dayne 
Gluting, Chad Anguilm, Bobby Collar, Jeff Kraemer, Adam Tomacari, Kevin 
Doyle, Adam Thomas, Kevin Moodie, Chris Joswiak, Scott Knight, Chad 
Rutzel, Eddie Wheeler, Jared Mailloux, Chris Green, Brit Ouelette, 
Brett Hagen, Luke Bonnewell, Kenny Jacobs, Jason Kraemer, Jonah 
Rogowski, Ben Duthler, head coach Paul Lowden, and assistant coaches 
Phil Sweeney, Jamie Bradford, and Joe Messina.
  After only six seasons at Davenport University, head coach Paul 
Lowden was named the 2008 ACHA Men's Division II Coach-of-the-Year. He 
was honored with this award at the American Hockey Coaches Association 
Coach-of-the-Year Celebration this past weekend. Coach Lowden was also 
selected by the ACHA as the inaugural head coach for the Men's Division 
II Select Team. The select team traveled to Europe this winter and 
finished with a perfect 5-0-0 record.
  The Lady Panthers basketball team, under the leadership of head coach 
Mark Youngs, earned their second consecutive Wolverine Hoosier Athletic 
Conference title. Senior Jeanette Woodberry, who was named both the 
WHAC Player of the Year and a First Team All-American, led the team to 
victory. Sara Haverdink and Kristin Bergsma were both named to the NAIA 
Academic All-American team. The basketball team finished this 
outstanding season with a record of 28-6 overall and 13-1 in their 
conference.
  Teamwork, determination and a commitment to excellence by each member 
of this basketball team led to their success. The members include 
Lyndsey Shepherd, Megan Peters, Sara Haverdink, Andrea Kimm, Brittany 
Lyman, Kristin Bergsma, Kristi Boehm, Lynne Blomberg, Kayla Chapman, 
Jeanette Woodberry, Emily Rosenzweig, Kallie Benike, Sylvia Welch, 
Shannon Slattery, Stephani Roles, along with head coach Mark Youngs, 
and assistant coaches Kelly Wandel, Shannon Callaghan, and Alicia 
Barczak.
  I am proud to recognize the outstanding achievements of the Davenport 
University Athletic Department. Their student athletes compete 
admirably in athletics and in the classroom, and maintain an average 
GPA of 3.22. I extend my best wishes to the players, coaches, families, 
and the University community that supported them throughout this 
triumphant season.
  I know my colleagues in the Senate join me in congratulating Coach 
Lowden, Coach Youngs, and the Davenport University Panthers.

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