2003 Senate Joint Resolution 22
ENROLLED JOINT RESOLUTION
Relating to: congratulating and commending the University of Wisconsin Men's Basketball Team and Head Coach Bo Ryan on clinching the first outright conference championship since 1947.
Whereas, the University of Wisconsin Men's Basketball Team, under the direction of Head Coach Bo Ryan, claimed its first outright Big Ten conference championship since 1947; and
Whereas, this conference championship gives the University of Wisconsin back-to-back conference titles for the first time in nearly 80 years; and
Whereas, with the leadership, dedication, and ambition of a head coach in his 2nd year at the University of Wisconsin, the Badger men's basketball team finished the regular season with a record of 22-6, tying school records for regular season wins and for 12 conference victories; and
Whereas, the spectacular victory on their home court over the University of Illinois, in front of a sold-out crowd, gave the Badgers a perfect home record in Big Ten games for the 2nd consecutive season, allowing the team to continue its home winning streak, which is the 2nd-longest streak in school history; and
Whereas, in his 19th year as a head coach, Bo Ryan has led the Badgers to conference championships in both years that he has been with the team, establishing himself as only the 3rd coach in Big Ten history to boast this accomplishment; and
Whereas, Bo Ryan, the Big Ten Coach of the Year for 2002 and 2003, has led the University of Wisconsin Men's Basketball Team to new heights with 41 wins in his first 2 years, the most in school history for any coach in such a time frame; and
Whereas, the 2002-2003 team is the number one seed in the Big Ten Men's Basketball Conference Tournament commencing on March 13 in Chicago; and
Whereas, the loyal fans of Wisconsin are "proud to be a Badger," to put on their red and white attire once again, and to sway along to "Varsity" as the Badgers begin "March Madness"; 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 2002-2003 University of Wisconsin Men's Basketball Team and Head Coach Bo Ryan for their hard work and dedication in advancing men's basketball to one of it's highest levels, and share the pride of the citizens of the state of Wisconsin in their team achievement; and, be it further
Resolved, That the senate chief clerk shall provide copies of this joint resolution to Head Coach Bo Ryan, his staff, each member of the team, and Athletic Director Pat Richter.
