TITLE: Congratulating Willie Fritz of Sam Houston State University for being named the 2012 Liberty Mutual NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision Coach of the Year.

SUMMARY: Congratulating Willie Fritz of Sam Houston State University for being named the 2012 Liberty Mutual NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision Coach of the Year.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, An outstanding football coach received well-deserved recognition when Willie Fritz of Sam Houston State University was named the 2012 Liberty Mutual National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Championship Subdivision Coach of the Year; and WHEREAS, This prestigious award pays tribute to individuals who not only help their team to succeed on game day but who also demonstrate sportsmanship, integrity, responsibility, and a commitment to education; with his selection for this honor, Coach Fritz received $70,000, $20,000 of which will fund student scholarships provided through the Sam Houston State University Alumni Association, with the remainder benefiting two charities chosen by the coach: the Lone Survivor Foundation, which helps support wounded United States military veterans and their families, and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes; and WHEREAS, Coach Fritz has compiled a 31-10 record during his three seasons as head coach, and he has guided the Bearkats to two Southland Conference championships and two appearances in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Champion Subdivision national championship game; moreover, the team's 14 wins in 2011 and 11 wins in 2012 are the top victory totals in the history of Sam Houston State University football; and WHEREAS, Seven of Coach Fritz's athletes were named All-Americans in 2011 and five in 2012, and numerous players have received All-Southland Conference honors in recent years; the Bearkats have made a fine showing in the classroom as well; in the coach's first two seasons at Sam Houston State University, 70 team members earned a place on the conference commissioner's honor roll, and in 2011 the university surpassed all of its Southland rivals in the number of football players on the academic conference team; and WHEREAS, Coach Fritz encourages his young charges to give back to their fellow citizens through community service, and players and staff take part in various projects to assist veterans, food banks, and other deserving causes; and WHEREAS, Coach Fritz draws on a broad range of experience; after playing football for Pittsburg State University, he coached at a number of different high schools and colleges and was a secondary and special teams coach at Sam Houston State University in the early 1990s; he went on to establish very successful records as the head coach of Blinn College and the University of Central Missouri before taking charge of the Bearkats in advance of the 2010 season; and WHEREAS, In all of his endeavors, Coach Fritz is supported by his loving wife, Susan, and he is the proud father of three children, Wesley, Elaine, and Brooke; and WHEREAS, Exceptional football coaches inspire their team members to realize their full potential, both as athletes and individuals, and Willie Fritz's commitment to this goal makes him an exceptional role model and leader; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 83rd Legislature, hereby congratulate Willie Fritz on winning the 2012 Liberty Mutual National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Championship Subdivision Coach of the Year award and extend to him sincere best wishes for continued success; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for Coach Fritz as an expression of high regard from the Texas Senate. Schwertner President of the Senate I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on January 30, 2013.