H.R. No. 1355
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The Texas Wesleyan University men's basketball team
furthered its tradition of success on the hardwood by winning the
National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Division I
national championship on March 21, 2017, at Municipal Auditorium in
Kansas City, Missouri; and
WHEREAS, The Rams' outstanding play began early in the
season, and they claimed the Sooner Athletic Conference regular
season crown with a stellar 13-5 record in conference play; taking
that momentum into the national tournament, the squad dispatched
opponents from the University of the Cumberlands, The Master's
University, Dalton State College, and William Penn University to
set up a championship battle against Life University; and
WHEREAS, Taking charge from the outset, the Rams established
a commanding 35-23 lead in the first half; they then held off a
resurgent Eagles offense after the intermission to win by a final
score of 86-76, claiming the second national title in the
university's history; and
WHEREAS, Pacing the group was senior guard Dion Rogers, who
received the Chuck Taylor Most Valuable Player Award after tallying
28 points and 8 rebounds; he was joined on the All-Tournament Team
by fellow Rams Najeal Young, a senior guard, and Ryan Harris, a
junior guard; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the season, the squad also received
valuable contributions from the other members of the roster: Chier
Ajou, Pat Listach, Naiel Smith, Jalil Francois, Trevon Jeffery,
Chris Alexander, Praneeth Udumalagala, Demarcus Emanuel, Jeremy
Crane, Peyton Prudhomme, Shaun Rost, and Jacob Lopez; these
exceptional athletes benefited from the skilled guidance of head
coach Brennen Shingleton, associate head coach Matt Garnett,
assistant coach Orlando Carrillo, and student assistants Larry
Wilson and Sam Akano; and
WHEREAS, Winning a national championship represents the
culmination of countless hours of training and an unwavering
commitment to excellence, and the members of the Texas Wesleyan
University basketball team will carry the memory of this
accomplishment with them for the rest of their lives; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas
Legislature hereby congratulate the Texas Wesleyan University
men's basketball team on winning the 2017 NAIA Division I national
championship and extend to the team's players, coaches, and staff
sincere best wishes for the future; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for the Rams as an expression of high regard by the Texas
House of Representatives.
Romero, Jr.
Collier
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 1355 was adopted by the House on April
27, 2017, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House