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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of 
3Representatives are proud to congratulate the Illinois 
4Fighting Illini Men's Basketball Team on an extraordinary 
5season and its achievement of advancing to the NCAA Division I 
6Men's Basketball Tournament Final Four; and
 
7    WHEREAS, The Fighting Illini, representing the University 
8of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, completed the season with an 
9outstanding record of 28-9 overall, including 15-5 in the Big 
10Ten and an appearance in the Final Four in the NCAA Tournament, 
11demonstrating consistency, resilience, and excellence against 
12top ranked competition; and
 
13    WHEREAS, Throughout the NCAA Tournament, the Fighting 
14Illini delivered a series of impressive victories, including 
15wins over the University of Pennsylvania, 105-70, and VCU, 
1676-55, and then on to the Sweet Sixteen and a sweet victory 
17over Houston, 65- 55, and an Elite Eight victory over Iowa, 
1871-59, which landed the Fighting Illini a trip to the Final 
19Four, showcasing their competitive strength and ability to 
20perform under pressure on the national stage; and
 
21    WHEREAS, Under the leadership of Fighting Illini Head 
22Coach Brad Underwood, the team exemplified a culture of 
 
 
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1accountability, preparation, and teamwork, earning the respect 
2of opponents and the admiration of fans across Illinois and 
3the nation; and
 
4    WHEREAS, The success of the Fighting Illini program is 
5further strengthened by the leadership of Director of 
6Athletics Josh Whitman, whose vision, stewardship, and 
7commitment to excellence continue to elevate Illinois 
8athletics and support student athletes in achieving success 
9both on and off the court; and
 
10    WHEREAS, The Fighting Illini's return to the Final Four 
11marks a historic milestone for the program, with their most 
12recent prior appearance occurring in 2005, underscoring the 
13sustained excellence and upward trajectory of Illinois men's 
14basketball; and
 
15    WHEREAS, The members of the Fighting Illini Men's 
16Basketball Team, including all student athletes, coaches, and 
17support staff, have demonstrated dedication, sportsmanship, 
18and academic commitment throughout the season; and
 
19    WHEREAS, The Fighting Illini team's run to the Final Four 
20energized alumni, students, and supporters across the State, 
21reinforcing the University of Illinois System's role as a 
22unifying source of pride and a driver of community, economic, 
 
 
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1and cultural vitality; and
 
2    WHEREAS, Advancing to the Final Four places the Fighting 
3Illini among the most elite programs in collegiate basketball 
4and marks a historic accomplishment worthy of statewide 
5recognition; therefore, be it
 
6    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE 
7HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that 
8we congratulate the Illinois Fighting Illini Men's Basketball 
9Team on a remarkable season, their 28-9 overall record, and 
10their advancement to the Final Four, and we commend their 
11dedication, achievement, and representation of the State of 
12Illinois at the highest level; and be it further
 
13    RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be 
14presented to Head Coach Brad Underwood, Director of Athletics 
15Josh Whitman, Chancellor Charles Isbell, the members of the 
16team, and the leadership of the University of Illinois 
17Urbana-Champaign as a symbol of our respect and esteem.