HR0385 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

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HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Patten Gymnasium at Northwestern University in Evanston was the site of the very first men's Division I NCAA basketball championship in 1939; since then, 317 different men's basketball teams have participated in the annual NCAA tournament; and

WHEREAS, On March 1, 2017, the Wildcats beat the University of Michigan to reach 10 Big Ten wins for the first time since the 1932-33 campaign; and

WHEREAS, After 78 years, the Wildcats were finally selected to participate in the NCAA basketball tournament on March 12, 2017; the program earned their first NCAA tournament victory in the first round with a 68 to 66 win over Vanderbilt University; and

WHEREAS, The Wildcats compiled a record of 24 wins and 12 losses during the 2016-2017 season; and

WHEREAS, The Wildcats are not only dedicated to athletic excellence, but they are also leaders in the classroom, consistently ranking among the top Division I men's basketball teams in graduation rates and grade point average; and

WHEREAS, Through their abilities, character, and leadership on and off the court, the Wildcats serve as positive role models for young men throughout the State of Illinois; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Northwestern University and its athletes, coaches, faculty, students, administration, and alumni on receiving their first invitation to compete in the 2017 NCAA Men's Basketball Championship Tournament, and we commend Northwestern University for its pursuit of athletic and academic excellence; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Northwestern University Head Coach Chris Collins as a symbol of our esteem and respect.