84R2242 WG-D
By: Clardy H.R. No. 115
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The Stephen F. Austin State University men's
basketball team created a memorable season for its fans in
2013-2014, winning a conference championship and capturing the
program's first NCAA Tournament victory; and
WHEREAS, In the first year under new head coach Brad
Underwood, the Lumberjacks employed an attacking offense and a
pressure defense en route to an undefeated mark versus league
opponents during the regular season; entering the Southland
Conference Tournament as the number one seed, they bested
Northwestern State University and then defeated Sam Houston State
University in the championship game to claim the tournament crown
and secure a spot in the 2014 NCAA Tournament; and
WHEREAS, Matched with the squad from Virginia Commonwealth
University in the second round of the "Big Dance," SFA jumped out to
a double-digit lead early in the second half before a furious
comeback put VCU up by four; with only three seconds remaining in
regulation, senior guard Desmond Haymon completed an improbable
four-point play to send the game into overtime; the Lumberjacks
then proved their resiliency once again as they held on for a 77-75
victory to continue their postseason run; in the subsequent
third-round matchup with UCLA, the team fought admirably but
ultimately fell to the Bruins, bringing the historic season to a
close; and
WHEREAS, The Lumberjacks' impressive performance in the NCAA
Tournament capped an unforgettable year in which SFA compiled a
29-game winning streak while finishing with an overall record of 32
wins and just 3 losses; the team's remarkable season was the result
of the outstanding efforts of each member of the roster:
Mr. Haymon, Connor Brooks, Ben Brown-White, Dallas Cameron, Tanner
Clayton, Patrick Costello, Justin Dotson, Nikola Gajic, Jason
Martin, Jacob Parker, Trey Pinkney, Sharife Sergeant, Deshaunt
Walker, Thomas Walkup, and Reed Westbrook; moreover, these talented
student-athletes received vital support from Coach Underwood as
well as from assistant coaches Mike Boynton Jr., Stephen Gentry,
and Erik Pastrana; and
WHEREAS, The Stephen F. Austin State University men's
basketball team is a source of tremendous pride to all those
associated with the university, and the team's superlative
accomplishments indeed merit special recognition; now, therefore,
be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas
Legislature hereby honor the Stephen F. Austin State University
men's basketball team on its achievements during the 2013-2014
season and extend to the team's players, coaches, and staff sincere
best wishes for continued success; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for the team as an expression of high regard by the Texas
House of Representatives.