[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 4]
[Senate]
[Page 5202]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   WICHITA STATE UNIVERSITY SHOCKERS

  Mr. ROBERTS. Madam President, I know it is pretty serious business 
talking about a government shutdown and things of this nature that 
affect all Americans. I certainly hope we can reach some accommodation. 
I wish to do a little bragging on behalf of my home State.
  We are pretty proud of our basketball heritage in Kansas, but I note 
that we have not received national recognition to the extent I think we 
should in regards to the recent accomplishment I wish to highlight.
  I rise to congratulate the Wichita State University Shockers. The 
Shockers won the 2011 Men's National Invitation Tournament in the Big 
Apple, the championship in New York City. In claiming the championship 
trophy, Wichita State set the school record with 29 victories in the 
season. Wichita State advanced to the NIT championship with four 
straight wins in the tournament. They beat the University of Nebraska 
in the first round, Virginia Tech in the second round, the College of 
Charleston in the quarter finals, Washington State University in the 
semifinal, and, finally, the University of Alabama in the championship 
game. All of these schools have good basketball teams, and Wichita 
State came out on top.
  Graham Hatch was named the NIT's most outstanding player and a member 
of the All-Tournament Team, while Garret Stutz was named to the All-
Tournament Team as well.
  Wichita State and head coach Gregg Marshall were not only successful 
on the court but in the classroom as well. Earlier this year, Coach 
Hatch and Garrett Stutz were named to the 2011 Missouri Valley 
Conference Scholar Athlete first and honorable mention teams, 
respectively. I congratulate the Wichita State University Shockers, 
their head coach Gregg Marshall, the athletic director Eric Sexton, a 
good friend of mine, and Wichita State University president Don Beggs. 
Don, you are back again, and you certainly did us proud.
  Specifically, I congratulate each member of the team for an exemplary 
season: Gabe Blair, Derek Brown, J.T. Durley, Aaron Ellis, Jerome 
Hamilton, Graham Hatch, Trey Jones, David Kyles, Toure Murry, Ehimen 
Orukpe, Joe Ragland, Tyler Richardson, Ben Smith, Garrett Stutz, 
Randall Vautravers, Josh Walker, and Demitric Williams.
  If I mispronounced any name, I am terribly sorry. They did not do 
anything wrong with the tournament in terms of winning the NIT. 
Congratulations to all Shockers basketball fans. The coach has made the 
decision to stay at Wichita State. Good news for Kansas. Good news for 
Wichita State, an exemplary action on the part of the coach after a 
very successful team effort and winning the NIT and then staying at 
Wichita State University. Good news for Kansas, good news for Wichita 
State, and good news all the way around.
  By the way, we will not shut down the team. They are going to keep on 
fighting.
  I think the signal there was not four quarters and let's go play 
hard, but the 4 minutes are up.
  I yield the floor, and I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will call the roll.
  The bill clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. BARRASSO. I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum 
call be rescinded.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so 
ordered.

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