III 

109TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION S. RES. 346 

Commending the Appalachian State University football team for winning 

the 2005 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I–AA Football 

Championship. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

DECEMBER 21, 2005 

Mr. BURR (for himself and Mrs. DOLE) submitted the following resolution 

DECEMBER 22 (legislative day, DECEMBER 21), 2005 

Considered and agreed to 

RESOLUTION 

Commending the Appalachian State University football team 

for winning the 2005 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I–AA Football Championship. 

Whereas on December 16, 2005, the Appalachian State 

Mountaineers defeated the Northern Iowa Panthers in 

the Championship game of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (‘‘NCAA’’) Division I–AA Football 

Tournament in Chattanooga, Tennessee; 

Whereas the Mountaineers are the first team from Appalachian State to win a NCAA Championship in school 

history; 

Whereas Appalachian State is the first university in the State 

of North Carolina to win a NCAA football championship; 
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•SRES 346 ATS

Whereas head coach Jerry Moore, the all-time winningest 

coach in Southern Conference history, won his first 

NCAA title in his seventeenth year as head coach of the 

Mountaineers, improving to 140–67 his record as head 

coach at Appalachian State; 

Whereas defensive ends Marques Murrell and Jason Hunter, 

as well as safety Corey Lynch, were named to the I–AA 

All America team; 

Whereas junior defensive end Marques Murrell, who finished 

the game with 9 tackles and forced a fumble with 9 minutes, 14 seconds remaining in the game, and senior 

Jason Hunter, who finished the game with ten tackles, 

returned it for the winning touchdown; 

Whereas injured senior quarterback and Southern Conference 

Offensive Player of the Year Richie Williams courageously led the Mountaineers in the second half while 

playing with an injured ankle tendon; 

Whereas the Mountaineer defense held the Panthers scoreless 

in the second half; 

Whereas backup quarterback Trey Elder led Appalachian 

State to a 29–23 victory over Furman University to earn 

a spot in the final contest; 

Whereas the Mountaineers defeated Lehigh University and 

Southern Illinois to advance to the I–AA ‘‘Final Four’’; 

Whereas the Mountaineer team members are excellent representatives of a fine university that is a leader in higher 

education, producing many fine student-athletes and 

other leaders; 

Whereas each player, coach, trainer, manager, and staff 

member dedicated this season and their efforts to ensure 
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•SRES 346 ATS

the Appalachian State University Mountaineers reached 

the summit of college football; 

Whereas the Mountaineers showed tremendous dedication to 

each other, appreciation to their fans, sportsmanship to 

their opponents, and respect for the game of football 

throughout the 2005 season; and 

Whereas residents of the Old North State and Appalachian 

fans worldwide are to be commended for their long-standing support, perseverance, and pride in the team: Now, 

therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 

2 (1) commends the champion Appalachian State 

3 University Mountaineers for their historic win in the 

4 2005 National Collegiate Athletic Association Divi5 sion I–AA Football Championship; 

6 (2) recognizes the achievements of the players, 

7 coaches, students, alumni, and support staff who 

8 were instrumental in helping Appalachian State Uni9 versity win the championship; and 

10 (3) directs the Secretary of the Senate to trans11 mit a copy of this resolution to Appalachian State 

12 University Chancellor Kenneth Peacock and head 

13 coach Jerry Moore for appropriate display. 

Æ