IV 

109TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. RES. 366

Commending the University of Michigan Wolverines softball team for winning 

the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Championship 

on June 8, 2005. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

JULY 19, 2005

Mr. DINGELL (for himself, Mr. UPTON, and Mr. SCHWARZ of Michigan) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on 

Education and the Workforce 

RESOLUTION

Commending the University of Michigan Wolverines softball 

team for winning the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Championship on June 8, 2005.

Whereas on June 8, 2005, the top-ranked University of 

Michigan Wolverines softball team defeated the University of California-Los Angeles (UCLA) Bruins in the 

Women’s College World Series two games to one to become only the eighth school to win the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Softball Championship 

and the first Big Ten Conference team to claim a national title in softball or baseball since 1966; 

Whereas the Michigan softball team came from behind to win 

in both the World Series and in each of their two victories in the World Series; 
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•HRES 366 IH 

Whereas the Michigan softball team clinched the 2005 Women’s College World Series in an exciting extra-innings 

game with a 3-run home run in the 10th inning to win 

by a score of 4 to 1; 

Whereas the Michigan softball team hit at least one home 

run in 57 of 65 games during the 2005 season and is 

just one of three schools in NCAA history to hit 100 

home runs in a season; 

Whereas in 2005, the Michigan softball team earned a number one ranking for the first time in school history and 

won its tenth Big Ten Conference championship and seventh Big Ten Tournament title en route to advancing to 

the Women’s College World Series for the eighth time; 

Whereas the NCAA Softball Championship marks the 52nd 

national championship for an athletic team at Michigan, 

the second for a women’s athletic team at Michigan, and 

the first for a softball program at a college located east 

of the Mississippi River; 

Whereas despite playing their first 33 games of the 2005 season on the road, the Michigan softball team began the 

season with 32 wins and 1 loss on the way to accumulating an impressive season record of 65 wins and only 

7 losses; 

Whereas in 2005, Head Coach Carol Hutchins eclipsed the 

900 win mark and in her 21-season career at Michigan 

has become the most victorious coach in any athletic program in Michigan history; 

Whereas Coach Hutchins also currently ranks among the top 

10 active coaches in any NCAA Division I athletic program with 940 career wins and a .725 winning percentage; 
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•HRES 366 IH 

Whereas shortstop Jessica Merchant, second baseman Tiffany Haas, and pitcher Jennie Ritter were among the top 

25 finalists for the USA Softball Collegiate Player of the 

Year Award; 

Whereas Jennie Ritter was awarded the highest individual 

honor in the Big Ten Conference as the 2005 Suzy Favor 

Female Athlete of the Year; 

Whereas a record-tying 8 players from the Michigan softball 

team were named to the Big Ten All-Conference Team, 

and 6 players were named to the Spring 2005 Academic 

All-Big Ten Conference Team; 

Whereas the superb coaching staff of the Michigan softball 

team, led by Carol Hutchins, Bonnie Tholl, Jennifer 

Brundage, and Jennifer Teague, was named the 

Speedline/NFCA National Coaching Staff of the Year; 

Whereas players on the Michigan softball team included 

Stephanie Bercaw, Angie Danis, Samantha Findlay, 

Alessandra Giampaolo, Tiffany Haas, Lauren Holland, 

Jennifer Kreinbrink, Grace Leutele, Becky Marx, Jessica 

Merchant, Rebekah Milian, Nicole Motycka, Jennie Ritter, Lauren Talbot, Michelle Teschler, Michelle 

Weatherdon, Lorilyn Wilson, Stephanie Winter, and Tiffany Worthy; and 

Whereas the Michigan softball team received tremendous support from its hometown fans during the season, setting 

a home attendance record in 2005, and bringing in the 

five largest crowds in program history: Now, therefore, be 

it

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives—

2 (1) commends the University of Michigan Wol3 verines softball team for winning the 2005 National 
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1 Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I 

2 Championship on June 8, 2005; and 

3 (2) recognizes all of the players and coaches of 

4 the Michigan softball team who were instrumental in 

5 winning the championship.

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