2005 Senate Joint Resolution 15
ENROLLED JOINT RESOLUTION
Relating to: congratulating and commending the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Men's Basketball Team and Head Coach Bruce Pearl on earning their 2nd NCAA Division I Tournament appearance.
Whereas, the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Panthers, under the direction of Head Coach Bruce Pearl, earned a spot in the NCAA Division I Tournament for just the 2nd time in the 107-year history of the basketball program; and
Whereas, the Panthers finished the regular season with a sparkling record of 24-5, claimed a first-place finish in the Horizon League, boasted the league's highest scoring offense, and matched their best Division I winning percentage in school history; and
Whereas, because of the leadership, work ethic, and ambition of the coaches, players, and assistants, the Panthers' 24 total victories this season tied a school record for wins in a single season; and
Whereas, Bruce Pearl was named Horizon League Coach of the Year for the 2nd time, becoming just the 3rd coach in league history to lead the same team to the regular-season title, the Horizon League tournament title, and the automatic berth to the NCAA tournament; and
Whereas, Coach Pearl's team adopted a "refuse to lose" attitude, thus avenging this season's earlier home court loss to Detroit and last year's gut-wrenching home court tournament championship game loss; and
Whereas, the spectacular last-second victory was earned over the Detroit Titans before a nationally televised audience on ESPN, in front of 10,783 fans, the largest home crowd ever to see a Panthers basketball game; and
Whereas, the fans of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Panthers will break out their black and gold apparel and gather to cheer on the team as they advance into the "Big Dance" for just the 2nd time in school history; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the senate, the assembly concurring, That the members of the legislature of the state of Wisconsin commend and congratulate the 2004-05 University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Men's Basketball Team and Head Coach Bruce Pearl for their hard work and dedication in advancing men's basketball to one of its highest levels ever, and share the pride of the citizens of the city of Milwaukee and the state of Wisconsin in their team's achievement; and, be it further
Resolved, That the senate chief clerk shall provide copies of this joint resolution to Head Coach Bruce Pearl, his staff, each member of the team, Chancellor Carlos Santiago, and Athletic Director Bud Haidet.
