[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 4]
[Senate]
[Pages 4954-4955]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




    CONGRATULATING THE MARIAN UNIVERSITY WOMEN'S BASKETBALL KNIGHTS

 Mr. DONNELLY. Mr. President, today, I congratulate the Marian 
University Knights on winning the 25th Annual Division II Women's 
Basketball NAIA National Championship.
  Marian University established its women's basketball program in 1976 
and has committed itself to competing at the highest level both 
academically and athletically. The program has secured three Crossroads 
League regular season championships--1994-95, 2001-02, 2015-16--and one 
Crossroads League tournament championship--2014-2015. The program has 
made three NAIA Tournament appearances. In 2016, the women's basketball 
team secured its first national championship title with a 59-48 victory 
over Southern Oregon in Sioux City, IA.
  Under the guidance of head coach Katie Gearlds since 2013, the 
women's basketball team has become increasingly engaged in community 
outreach and service activities. As a team, they participate in 
community improvement efforts including Indy DO Day and form active 
relationships with grade schools in central Indiana.

[[Page 4955]]

  Congratulations to Head Coach and NAIA Coach of the Year Gearlds, 
assistant coaches Vicky Volonaki and Mark Parker, athletic director 
Steve Downing, and all of the student-athletes on winning the 25th 
Annual Division II Women's Basketball NAIA National Championship on 
March 15, 2016. In addition, congratulations to university president 
Daniel J. Elsener, executive vice president and provost Thomas J. 
Enneking, the Marian University student body, and alumni. On behalf of 
the citizens of Indiana, I congratulate the Marian University Knights 
on their successful women's basketball program, and I wish them 
continued success in the future.

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