S*1229 Concurrent Resolution, By Jackson and Courson
 A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO JOIN THE CITIZENS OF SOUTH CAROLINA IN EXPRESSING
 THEIR CONGRATULATIONS TO THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
 TEAM ON ITS SPECTACULAR RECORD-SETTING 2001-2002 SEASON AND ON ITS VITAL ROLE
 IN HIGHLIGHTING THE EXCITEMENT OF WOMEN'S SPORTS FOR SOUTH CAROLINA FANS.

   04/17/02  Senate Introduced, adopted, sent to House SJ-9
   04/18/02  House  Introduced, adopted, returned with concurrence HJ-5

TO JOIN THE CITIZENS OF SOUTH CAROLINA IN EXPRESSING THEIR CONGRATULATIONS TO THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM ON ITS SPECTACULAR RECORD-SETTING 2001-2002 SEASON AND ON ITS VITAL ROLE IN HIGHLIGHTING THE EXCITEMENT OF WOMEN'S SPORTS FOR SOUTH CAROLINA FANS.

Whereas, the 2001-2002 University of South Carolina women's basketball team concluded its spectacular season with a record of 25-7 overall and a 10-4 showing in the Southeastern Conference; and

Whereas, that stellar exhibition earned them a final season ranking of Number 6 in the nation in the ESPN, USA Today, and Coaches' Polls, representing its first Top Ten Ranking in twenty years; and

Whereas, it was the Gamecocks' first 20-win effort in eleven years and only its third most successful season in the history of women's basketball at USC; and

Whereas, the team had its best finish ever in the SEC, and advanced all the way to the Elite Eight in the NCAA National Tournament before being eliminated by powerhouse Duke; and

Whereas, the six South Carolina natives welcomed top women players from around the world to give the 2001-2002 edition of the Gamecocks a decidedly and delightfully diverse character as the members coalesced into an exciting example of women's sports at its best; and

Whereas, that contagious enthusiasm led to a home-court advantage that boosted the team's record at the Carolina Coliseum to 17-1, another historical mark; and

Whereas, the first sell-out crowd of almost 12,500 screaming fans filled the Coliseum for a women's basketball game when the Gamecocks hosted the Tennessee Volunteers at mid-season; and

Whereas, other long-standing records fell during the stellar season, sparked by SEC Players of the Week Kelly Morrone, Shaunzinski Gortman, and Cristina Ciocan; and

Whereas, Jocelyn Penn earned All SEC First Team honors, as did Gortman, who also was honorable mention Associated Press All-American; and

Whereas, SEC and WBCA District 3 Coach of the Year Susan Walvius and her staff of Shell Robinson, Linda Hill-MacDonald, and Chris Brower guided the Gamecocks to their record-setting successes in both athletic achievement and fan excitement; and

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina General Assembly count themselves among the team's greatest fans. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:

That the members of the General Assembly join the citizens of South Carolina to express their congratulations to the University of South Carolina women's basketball team on its spectacular record-setting season and on its vital role in highlighting the excitement of women's sports for South Carolina fans.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to the USC women's basketball team and Coach Walvius.