S*1208 Resolution, By Courson
 A SENATE RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND COMMEND SOUTH CAROLINA'S STUDENT-ATHLETES
 AND TO DECLARE WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6, 2016, AS "STUDENT-ATHLETE DAY IN SOUTH
 CAROLINA."

   04/06/16  Senate Introduced and adopted (Senate Journal-page 7)

TO RECOGNIZE AND COMMEND SOUTH CAROLINA'S STUDENT-ATHLETES AND TO DECLARE WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6, 2016, AS "STUDENT-ATHLETE DAY IN SOUTH CAROLINA."

Whereas, on April 6 of every year, National Student-Athlete Day is celebrated across the country to recognize the accomplishments of student-athletes who excel in the classroom and on the playing fields and who give back to their communities through service projects; and

Whereas, the State of South Carolina has produced student-athletes who are national champions, conference champions, and students who as a group graduate at a higher rate than that of their peers in the general student body. More than eight out of ten student-athletes will earn a bachelor's degree, and more than 35 percent will earn a postgraduate degree; and

Whereas, in addition to practicing, competing, and studying, student-athletes support their communities through volunteer service and national charity partnerships; and

Whereas, further, they bring widespread favorable exposure to our great State and their schools for the outstanding sportsmanship they show in competition. Their commendable sportsmanship is confirmation of the increased maturity these young people gain from participating in sports, as testified by the two thirds of former student-athletes who agree that playing an NCAA sport helped prepare them for life after graduation; and

Whereas, in the Palmetto State, there are thirty-seven institutions participating in intercollegiate athletics. These are Allen University, Anderson University, Benedict College, Charleston Southern University, The Citadel, Claflin University, Clemson University, Clinton College, Coastal Carolina University, Coker College, College of Charleston, Columbia College, Converse College, Denmark Technical College, Erskine College, Florence-Darlington Technical College, Francis Marion University, Furman University, Lander University, Limestone College, Morris College, Newberry College, North Greenville University, Presbyterian College, South Carolina State University, Southern Wesleyan University, Spartanburg Methodist College, University of South Carolina at Aiken, University of South Carolina at Beaufort, University of South Carolina at Columbia, University of South Carolina at Lancaster, University of South Carolina at Salkehatchie, University of South Carolina at Sumter, University of South Carolina-Upstate, Voorhees College, Winthrop University, and Wofford College; and

Whereas, proud of the accomplishments of our state's fine student-athletes, the Senate is pleased to pause in its deliberations to applaud this worthy group of young people. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate:

That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, recognize and commend South Carolina's student-athletes and declare Wednesday, April 6, 2016, as "Student-Athlete Day in South Carolina."

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be provided to each of the South Carolina institutions of higher learning named above.