S 1098  Resolution, By Alexander, Peeler, Grooms, Massey, Martin, Corbin, Turner, 
Gambrell, Harpootlian, Verdin and Talley
 A SENATE RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR THE CLEMSON UNIVERSITY MEN'S SOCCER
 TEAM MEMBERS AND COACHES FOR AN EXTRAORDINARY SEASON AND TO CONGRATULATE THEM
 FOR WINNING THE 2021 MEN'S NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE.

   02/24/22  Senate Introduced and adopted (Senate Journal-page 4)

TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR THE CLEMSON UNIVERSITY MEN'S SOCCER TEAM MEMBERS AND COACHES FOR AN EXTRAORDINARY SEASON AND TO CONGRATULATE THEM FOR WINNING THE 2021 MEN'S NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE.

Whereas, the South Carolina Senate is pleased to learn that the members of the Clemson University soccer team took the national trophy at the 2021 NCAA Men's Soccer National Championship held at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, North Carolina, on December 12, 2021; and

Whereas, in the second largest cumulative attendance in the country, several thousand Clemson fans who made the four-hour trek to cheer on their team were exuberant when the Tigers defeated a fine, competitive field of challengers, including teams ranked number 1, 2, 4, and 9 in overall seeds on its tournament run; and

Whereas, just twenty-seven seconds into the College Cup's final game, the Tigers' junior forward and Rock Hill, South Carolina, native Isaiah Reid scored the first of two goals that enabled Clemson to defeat Washington 2-0; and

Whereas, after winning the team's third consecutive ACC Atlantic Division Title, the team captured its third national championship in school history for men's soccer, the first under Head Coach Mike Noonan, with trophies in 1984, 1987, and 2021; and

Whereas, Clemson posted 2.22 goals per game, the highest average in the ACC, with the fourth most assists in the country and the ninth most shutouts in the country; and

Whereas, with an impressive team GPA of 3.33 during the fall semester, the team boasted five All-ACC players, one All-American, and one Mac Hermann finalist; and

Whereas, the title was the seventh team national championship in Clemson's athletics history, joining football championships in 1981, 2016, and 2018 and men's golf in 2003. Clemson is the only program in the country with three or more national championships in both men's soccer and football; and

Whereas, Isaiah Reid was named the College Cup Offensive Most Outstanding Player for scoring both of Clemson's goals, his eighth goal of the season until another goal in the second half helped the Tigers to the historic 2-0 victory; and

Whereas, Clemson's goalkeeper George Marks was named the Defensive MVP of the College Cup, picking up his ninth clean sheet of the season; and

Whereas, Head Coach Mike Noonan, along with assistant coaches Phil Jones, Camilo Rodriguez, and Rob Thompson were named the 2021 NCAA Division I men's Coaching Staff of the Year; and

Whereas, in a sport that requires speed, agility, and stamina, Coach Mike Noonan and his skilled coaching staff maximized their own athletic ability and training to forge a championship-caliber team and teach these athletes life principles that will endure beyond the pitch; and

Whereas, the South Carolina Senate values the pride and recognition that the Clemson soccer players have brought to their university and our State, and the members look to hear of their continued accomplishments in the days ahead. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate:

That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, recognize and honor the Clemson University soccer team members and coaches for an extraordinary season and congratulate them for winning the 2021 National Championship title.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Coach Mike Noonan.