[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 3]
[Senate]
[Page 3809]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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            RECOGNIZING THE UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA GRIZZLIES

 Mr. BAUCUS. Mr. President, today I recognize the achievements 
of an outstanding college basketball team from my home State of 
Montana. High school and college sports are a way of life across Big 
Sky country. On cold winter nights in towns across the state from Libby 
to Lewistown and from Fort Benton to Fairview folks fill up gymnasiums 
to cheer on their favorite teams. The University of Montana Grizzlies 
have legions of devoted fans around Montana, and pack thousands into 
the Adams Center on the UM campus in Missoula for home games.
  This season's edition of the Griz has thrilled fans throughout, and 
the team is now headed for the NCAA Tournament after a thrilling come 
from behind win to capture the Big Sky Conference Championship on March 
10. The Grizzlies showed the heart, determination, and hustle Montana 
athletes are known for, in clawing their way back from a 22-point 
deficit to defeat Weber State University on the Wildcats' home court. 
Anthony Johnson turned in a performance for the ages and one that will 
be remembered for decades across Montana. The senior guard poured in a 
school and Big Sky tournament record 42 points including the winning 
shot. To illustrate how amazing this performance was Johnson by himself 
outscored Weber State 34 to 25 in the second half.
  In the end it all came down to teamwork as guard Will Cherry made a 
stellar defensive play to stop Weber State on their last possession, 
and big men Derek Selvig and Brian Qvale contributed with big blocks 
and rebounds throughout. This was yet another illustration of how the 
team has pulled together all year to get big wins no matter the 
adversity they faced.
  The Griz now move on to face the University of New Mexico Lobos in 
the NCAA Tournament. The Griz have had tournament success in the past, 
winning a first round game in 2006 despite being a heavy underdog and 
having a memorable run in the 1975 tournament as well. In 1975 another 
tremendous performance was turned in by a Grizzly as guard Eric Hays 
nearly led the team to an upset of defending national champion UCLA in 
the second round. Hays played the game of his life--he scored 32 points 
to keep the Griz in the game, although they ultimately lost 67-64. Griz 
fans still remember Hays' amazing performance 35 years later. Eric went 
on to coach basketball at Hellgate High School in Missoula where he won 
over 350 games.
  I would like to commend Wayne Tinkle, the coach of the team, athletic 
director Jim O'Day, and University of Montana president George Dennison 
for their leadership and vision in making the Grizzly athletic programs 
successful and teaching many dedicated student athletes life lessons as 
well as those on the playing fields and courts. These student athletes 
deserve our recognition for all the hard work they put in throughout 
the year.
  I know that the Griz will represent the state of Montana well in the 
NCAA tournament and give it their all. I along with many other Griz 
fans across the country will be watching and cheering a famous line 
from the school's fight song--``Up with Montana, boys, down with the 
foe!''

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