HR1092 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1092 LRB094 20084 HSS 57701 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The Illinois Wesleyan men's basketball team finished third in the NCAA Division III men's basketball tournament with a 71-68 win over Amherst (Massachusetts) on Saturday, March 18 in Salem, Virginia; and

WHEREAS, The Titans' season ended with a 25-7 record and its fourth appearance in the Final Four in the past eleven years that included a national championship in 1997 and third place finishes coming in 1996, 2001, and 2006; and

WHEREAS, ESPN Sports featured the amazing Illinois Wesleyan University team on a recent edition of the popular show "Outside the Lines" as it examined the team's quest for a national championship during March Madness; and

WHEREAS, Senior Keelan Amelianovich led the Titans to victory with 21 points and eight rebounds, while junior Zach Freeman scored 19 with seven boards; senior guard Jason Fisher had his season-high with 16 points; the Titans never trailed in the game, leading by as many as 16 in the first half and holding off Amherst (28-4) after they closed to within one point with 51 seconds left; and

WHEREAS, Head coach Scott Trost has led the Illinois Wesleyan Titans to back-to-back conference championships, thereby establishing Illinois Wesleyan as a powerhouse of the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW); and

WHEREAS, The following student-athletes led the Titans to their second consecutive conference championship and third place in the NCAA Division III Men's basketball tournament: Andrew Gilmore, Matt Arnold, Mike Harrigan, Mike McGraw, Jason Fisher, Adam Dauksas, Darius Gant, Andrew Freeman, Zach Freeman, Keelan Amelianovich, Chris Jones, Steve Schweer, Cory Jones, Tyler Smith, and Steve Manus; this team was led by head coach Scott Trost and assistant coaches Dennis Martel, David Steinbrueck, and Chad Hutson; and

WHEREAS, During the 2006 season, seniors Adam Dauksas and Keelan Amelianovich were named first team All-Americans by D3Hoops.com; Amelianovich was recognized as the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-American of the Year, and Zach Freeman was chosen for the second team of the NCAA Division III All-Midwest Region squads selected by D3hoops.com; Dauksas became IWU's all-time assist leader this year and is scoring 14.3 points per game; Amelianovich is averaging 18.2 points and 4.3 rebounds and has connected on a school-record 90 3-point field goals for the Titans; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that the 2006 Illinois Wesleyan University Titans be recognized and applauded for their accomplishments during the 2006 season, for their talent and teamwork displayed on the court, and for the outstanding coaching staff that led the team to back-to-back conference championships and a third-place finish in the NCAA Division III men's basketball tournament; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to IWU President Richard Wilson and the entire Illinois Wesleyan University men's basketball team and coaching staff.