Bill 654

                    Current Status

Bill Number:                       654
Type of Legislation:               Concurrent Resolution CR
Introducing Body:                  Senate
Introduced Date:                   19970415
Primary Sponsor:                   Passailaigue
All Sponsors:                      Passailaigue, McConnell, Rose,
                                   Washington, Ford, Mescher, Ravenel
                                   and Williams 
Drafted Document Number:           res1382.elp
Date Bill Passed both Bodies:      19970416
Subject:                           College of Charleston Cougars
                                   Men's Basketball Team,
                                   Resolutions

Body    Date      Action Description                       Com     Leg Involved
______  ________  _______________________________________  _______ ____________
Senate  19970416  Received from House
House   19970416  Introduced, adopted, returned
                  with concurrence
Senate  19970415  Introduced, adopted, sent to House

CONGRATULATING THE COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON COUGARS MEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM FOR AN EXCEPTIONAL SEASON AND FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING EFFORT IN THE 1997 NCAA TOURNAMENT.

Whereas, the College of Charleston Cougars Men's Basketball Team won their fourth consecutive Trans America Athletic Conference (TAAC) title and became the first team to have a perfect 16-0 conference record; and

Whereas, the Cougars opened the season by finishing second in the prestigious Carrs Great Alaskan Shootout with wins over Arizona State and #21 Stanford before losing to #8 Kentucky in the finals; and

Whereas, the Cougars, at one point in the 1996-97 season had the nation's longest winning streak of 22 games, marking the fourth consecutive season they have won at least 16 straight games; and

Whereas, the Cougars, under the direction of Head Coach John Kresse, won the TAAC tournament championship held at the John Kresse Arena, defeating Florida International by a score of 87-73 and securing their second bid to the NCAA tournament; and

Whereas, several players received post-season honors including Anthony Johnson who was named TAAC Player of the Year and finished sixth in the nation with 7.2 assists per game, Thaddeous Delaney who was named first team All-TAAC and honorable mention AP All-America, and Rodney Conner who was named second team All-TAAC; and

Whereas, the Cougars defeated #22 Maryland, 75-66, in the first round of the Southeast Regional in the NCAA tournament at Memphis; and

Whereas, the Cougars surrendered a 10 point lead to eventual National Champion Arizona, and lost 73-69 in the second round of the NCAA tournament; and

Whereas, the Cougars finished the season with a remarkable record of 29-3 and a final ranking of 16th in the Associated Press and 21st in the USA Today/CNN Coaches Poll; and

Whereas, due to a tireless dedication and desire to succeed, the Cougars reflected well upon the State of South Carolina and the College of Charleston; and

Whereas, the Members of the General Assembly would like to publicly recognize and congratulate each player, staff member, and coach for an outstanding season and tremendous run in the NCAA tournament. Now, therefore,

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

That the members of the General Assembly commend the College of Charleston Cougars Men's Basketball Team and all who helped the team achieve an outstanding season and wish them every success in basketball seasons to come.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Honorable Alex Sanders, President of the College of Charleston, Mr. Jerry Baker, Director of Athletics and Mr. John Kresse, Head Basketball Coach.