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A CEREMONIAL RESOLUTION
25-63
IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
May 2, 2023
To recognize, honor, and congratulate the Howard University men’s swimming and
diving team for its first NCAA Conference Championship in over 30 years .
WHEREAS, Howard University is located alongside Georgia Avenue in Ward 1, with its
university motto being ‘Veritas et Utilitas, Truth and Service’;
WHEREAS, Howard University is the only HBCU to have an NCAA swimming and
diving program;
WHEREAS, Howard University m en’s swimming and diving team finished the year with
a winning record for the fifth consecutive season, finishing at 6-2;
WHEREAS, Howard University m en’s swimming and diving team, during its 2022 – 2023
campaign reset 16 of the 20 School records (5 Relay and 11 Individual);
WHEREAS, Howard University m en’s swimming and diving team Director and Head
Coach was inducted into the Howard University Athletics Hall of Fame for his accomplishments
as a Howard University dual sport student-athlete (Swimming & Tennis);
WHEREAS, Howard University m en’s swimming and diving team hosted the largest dual
meet in HBCU history, Battle at the Burr;
WHEREAS, the Battle at the Burr received National attention and positively influenced
the swimming world, putting collegiate swimming and diving in the spotlight;
WHEREAS, Howard University m en’s swimming and diving team is the first all- black
swimming and diving team to be featured on the daily cover of the globally syndicated magazine,
Sports Illustrated;
WHEREAS, Howard University m en’s swimming and diving team won the 2023
Northeast Conference Swimming and Diving Championship in Geneva, Ohio in dominant fashion;
WHEREAS, Howard University m en’s swimming and diving team shattered 10 Northeast
Conference records (4 Relay and 6 Individual); ENROLLED ORIGINAL
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WHEREAS, Howard University m en’s swimming and diving team earned an impressive
21 total medals at the Northeast Conference Championships (12 Gold, 3 Silver, and 6 Bronze);
WHEREAS, Howard University m en’s swimming and diving team took home several
Conference honors including Most Outstanding Swimmer, Most Outstanding Diver, Diving Coach
of the Year, and Coaching Staff of the Year;
WHEREAS, Howard University m en’s swimming and diving team’s conference title drew
recognition from ESPN, CNN, NPR, NBC Nightly News, ABC World News, BET, Essence
Magazine, Revolt Network, and several other media outlets;
WHEREAS, Howard University m en’s swimming and diving team has continued to
promote water safety and drowning prevention;
WHEREAS, Howard University m en’s swimming and diving team’s coaching staff
consists of Dr. Miriam Lynch, Salim King, Courtenay Miller, Jasmine Payne, Sidney Williams,
and Jake Garza;
WHEREAS, Howard University m en’s swimming and diving team was also supported by
two student-managers, Iman Ferguson and Gabriel Rose;
WHEREAS, Howard University me n’s swimming and diving team is led by Hall of Famer,
Conference Coach of the Year, Professional of the Year, and National Coach of the Year, Nicholas
Askew;
WHEREAS, Howard University m en’s swimming and diving team’s Director and Head
Coach, Nicholas Askew is the recipient of the 2023 Drake Hero Award presented by the Drake
Group Education Fund;
WHEREAS, Howard University m en’s swimming and diving team’s Director and Head
Coach, Nicholas Askew is a dedicated advocate for legislation to increase the amount of access
for underserved communities; and
WHEREAS, Howard University m en’s swimming and diving championship winning team
members include: Miles Simon – Captain; Mark-Anthony Beckles – Captain; Luke-Kennedy
Thompson – Captain; Tai Afrik; Taj Benton; Kevin Claiborne; Brenton Cooper; Miguel Davis Jr.;
Ahmad Dove; Cyrus Gibson; Darin Johnson; Spencer Miles; Jordane Payne; Vaughn Peoples-
Hobson; Niles Rankin; Reese Samuel; Arion Solomon; Tristan Stevens; Mark-Anthony
Thompson; Erald Thompson III; Ty Triche; Jordan Walker; Langston Weddington; Joel
Wilkinson; and Darien Williams .
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RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, T hat this
resolution may be cited as the “Howard University Men’s Swimming and Diving Team 2023
Northeast Conference Championship Recognition Resolution of 2023” .
Sec. 2. The Council of the District of Columbia recognizes and honors the Howard
University m en’s swimming and diving team for winning the 2023 NEC Championship.
Sec. 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately.