SR 15 (LSB 2679XS (5) 87)

SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 15

BY  BOULTON

A Resolution recognizing and congratulating the Drake University women’s basketball team and program on its outstanding regional and national athletic achievements.

   WHEREAS, the Drake University women’s basketball team (the Bulldogs) secured its first outright Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) regular season championship since the 1999-2000 season with a 70-57 win over the University of Northern Iowa on February 24, 2017, in Des Moines, Iowa; and
   WHEREAS, the Bulldogs became the first team to go undefeated in MVC regular-season play with a 105-89 victory over Wichita State on March 4, 2017, in Des Moines, Iowa; and
   WHEREAS, that victory also gave the Bulldogs a 13-0 home record, becoming the second team in program history to go unbeaten at home; and
   WHEREAS, the Bulldogs won their sixth MVC tournament title with a 74-69 overtime win over the University of Northern Iowa on March 12, 2017, in Moline, Illinois; and
   WHEREAS, that victory completed an unprecedented season for the Bulldogs with a perfect 18-0 MVC record and a 22-game winning streak, the second-longest such streak in the nation; and
   WHEREAS, that victory also earned the Bulldogs the MVC’s automatic bid to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) women’s basketball tournament; and
   WHEREAS, Drake senior Lizzy Wendell was named the 2017 Jackie Stiles MVC Women’s Basketball Player of the Year, freshman Becca Hittner was chosen the MVC Freshman of the Year, and head coach Jennie Baranczyk was named the MVC Coach of the Year; and
   WHEREAS, the Bulldogs entered the NCAA tournament for the eleventh time in the program’s history; and
   WHEREAS, the Bulldogs’ historic season ended in the first round of the tournament with a 67-54 loss to Kansas State on March 18, 2017, in Manhattan, Kansas; and
   WHEREAS, the loss was the Bulldogs’ first loss since December 21, 2016, and left the team with a 28-5 overall record; and
   WHEREAS, those 28 victories tied the all-time single season total in program history with the 1978-1979 and 1981-1982 teams; and
   WHEREAS, Lizzy Wendell was named an honorable mention All-American by the Associated Press on March 27, 2017, becoming only the second player in program history to earn Associated Press All-America honors; NOW THEREFORE,

   BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE, That the Senate recognizes and congratulates the Drake University women’s basketball team and program on its outstanding regional and national athletic achievements; and

   BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution be sent to Drake University Women’s Basketball Team Head Coach Jennie Baranczyk and Drake University President Earl F. Martin.