SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 91
WHEREAS, An outstanding football coach received
well-deserved recognition when Willie Fritz of Sam Houston State
University was named the 2012 Liberty Mutual National Collegiate
Athletic Association Division I Football Championship
Subdivision Coach of the Year; and
WHEREAS, This prestigious award pays tribute to
individuals who not only help their team to succeed on game day
but who also demonstrate sportsmanship, integrity,
responsibility, and a commitment to education; with his
selection for this honor, Coach Fritz received $70,000, $20,000
of which will fund student scholarships provided through the Sam
Houston State University Alumni Association, with the remainder
benefiting two charities chosen by the coach: the Lone Survivor
Foundation, which helps support wounded United States military
veterans and their families, and the Fellowship of Christian
Athletes; and
WHEREAS, Coach Fritz has compiled a 31-10 record during his
three seasons as head coach, and he has guided the Bearkats to two
Southland Conference championships and two appearances in the
National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Champion
Subdivision national championship game; moreover, the team's 14 wins in
2011 and 11 wins in 2012 are the top victory totals in the history of Sam
Houston State University football; and
WHEREAS, Seven of Coach Fritz's athletes were named
All-Americans in 2011 and five in 2012, and numerous players have
received All-Southland Conference honors in recent years; the
Bearkats have made a fine showing in the classroom as well; in the
coach's first two seasons at Sam Houston State University, 70
team members earned a place on the conference commissioner's
honor roll, and in 2011 the university surpassed all of its
Southland rivals in the number of football players on the
academic conference team; and
WHEREAS, Coach Fritz encourages his young charges to give
back to their fellow citizens through community service, and
players and staff take part in various projects to assist
veterans, food banks, and other deserving causes; and
WHEREAS, Coach Fritz draws on a broad range of experience;
after playing football for Pittsburg State University, he
coached at a number of different high schools and colleges and
was a secondary and special teams coach at Sam Houston State
University in the early 1990s; he went on to establish very
successful records as the head coach of Blinn College and the
University of Central Missouri before taking charge of the
Bearkats in advance of the 2010 season; and
WHEREAS, In all of his endeavors, Coach Fritz is supported
by his loving wife, Susan, and he is the proud father of three
children, Wesley, Elaine, and Brooke; and
WHEREAS, Exceptional football coaches inspire their team
members to realize their full potential, both as athletes and
individuals, and Willie Fritz's commitment to this goal makes him
an exceptional role model and leader; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
83rd Legislature, hereby congratulate Willie Fritz on winning
the 2012 Liberty Mutual National Collegiate Athletic Association
Division I Football Championship Subdivision Coach of the Year
award and extend to him sincere best wishes for continued
success; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Coach Fritz as an expression of high regard from the
Texas Senate.
Schwertner
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President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on January 30, 2013.
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Secretary of the Senate
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Member, Texas Senate