RESOLUTION 99

A RESOLUTION TO BE ENTITLED

An act HONORING THE WOLFPACK MEn's basketball team for their performance in the acc tournament and the 2006-2007 season

Section 1.        Statutory Authority.  This resolution is adopted pursuant to the provisions of Article II, Sections 5(d) of the Student Body Constitution, and Chapter 2, Rule 17(c) of the Student Body Statutes.

Section 2.        The North Carolina State University Student Senate hereby adopts the following Resolution:

WHEREAS,   following the departure of former coach Herb Sendek and the search for a successor, N.C. State's men's basketball program was a frequent target for the scorn and derision of many supposedly "professional" news media, including Raleigh's own News & Observer; and,

WHEREAS,   this categorical and unwarranted level of disrespect included, among other insults, being ranked dead last in the 12-team Atlantic Coast Conference in the 2006-2007 ACC Media Preseason Poll; and,

WHEREAS,   despite the hostile environment, former 1983 Wolfpack point guard Sidney Lowe accepted the position as head coach of the men's basketball team and began working to push the team to new heights; and,

WHEREAS,   under Lowe's leadership the men's basketball season included, among other highlights, the thorough domination of an over-hyped UNC squad in an 83-79 upset victory in the RBC Center on February 3rd, 2007; and,

WHEREAS,   the men's basketball team was a #10 seed in the ACC Tournament and widely anticipated in the media to be eliminated in the first round; and,

WHEREAS,   demonstrating the same level of talent that humiliated UNC, the Wolfpack faced Duke in its initial game and buried the Blue Devils in an overtime upset, winning 85-80 and advancing to the ACC Quarterfinals; and,

WHEREAS,   undeterred by the strength of their opponent, the University of Virginia, the N.C. State men's basketball team proceeded to crushed the Cavaliers and end their ACC championship hopes with a 79-71 victory; and,

WHEREAS,   facing Virginia Tech in the ACC Semifinals, the Wolfpack humbled the Hokies with a 72-64 victory -- the team's 3rd win over Virginia Tech in the season -- and advanced to its first ACC Championship game since 2003; and,

WHEREAS,   facing long-time rival the University of North Carolina in the Championship game, its fourth game in as many days, the men's basketball team demonstrated the talent, passion and raw strength of will by constantly pressuring UNC and staging a furious rally that shaved a 16-point UNC lead to a mere 1 point; and,

WHEREAS,   although falling short to the Tar Heels in an 89-80 loss, the team made history on several fronts including, but not limited to, forward Brandon Costner setting a new school record for points scored in the tournament, head coach Sidney Lowe becoming only the 4th N.C. State head coach to reach the ACC Championship game in his first year, and the Wolfpack becoming the first-ever #10 seed in history to advance to the Championship game; and,

WHEREAS,   in advancing to the Championship game, the Wolfpack men's basketball team defied all expectations and predictions of both the "professional" media and its own fans, ultimately ending the 2006-2007 season with an 18-15 record; and,

WHEREAS,   for their inspirational performance and impeccable sportsmanship, each and every member of the Wolfpack men's basketball team is deserving of special praise and recognition; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED,  that the North Carolina State University Student Senate, on behalf of the Student Body, commends Braxton Albritton, Engin Atsür, Justin Clark, Brandon Costner, Darrell Davis, Farnold Degan, Courtney Fells, Trevor Ferguson, Gavin Grant, Simon Harris, Dennis Horner, Bartosz Lewandowski, Ben McCauley, Bryan Nieman, Kenneth Pittman, and Chad Williams for their exemplary performance in the 2006-2007 basketball season and the 2007 ACC Tournament; and be it further

RESOLVED, the Senate in particular thanks point guard Engin Atsür for his 4 years of dedication to and leadership of the Wolfpack men's basketball team, and wishes him well in his future efforts; and be it further,

RESOLVED,  the Senate also commends head coach Sidney Lowe, associate head coach Monte Towe, assistant coach Larry Harris, assistant coach Pete Strickland, and the entire Wolfpack basketball staff for the superlative training and guidance of team members; and be it further

RESOLVED,  the Senate wishes the basketball team an equally impressive 2007-2008 season.