IV 

110TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION H. RES. 927 

Commending the Florida Atlantic University Owls for their historic win in 

the 2007 R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

JANUARY 16, 2008 

Mr. WEXLER (for himself, Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ, Mr. KLEIN of Florida, 

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida, and Mr. MAHONEY of Florida) submitted the 

following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Education 

and Labor 

RESOLUTION 

Commending the Florida Atlantic University Owls for their 

historic win in the 2007 R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl. 

Whereas, on December 21, 2007, the Florida Atlantic University Owls defeated the University of Memphis Tigers 

44 to 27 in the 2007 R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl 

in New Orleans, Louisiana; 

Whereas the Owls became the youngest football program in 

NCAA history to earn a bid in and win a bowl game; 

Whereas Florida Atlantic’s football program has reached this 

level of success after only 7 years of existence and only 

3 years as a member of the Football Bowl Subdivision; 

Whereas the Owls’ Head Coach Howard Schnellenberger built 

the Florida Atlantic football program from scratch when 


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•HRES 927 IH 

he was hired as Director of Football Operations in 1998, 

and has been the program’s only head coach since its inaugural game in 2001; 

Whereas the Owls defeated the Troy University Trojans on 

December 1, 2007, to earn the Sun Belt Conference 

Championship in only their third season competing in the 

conference; 

Whereas the Owls finished the 2007 season with a record of 

8 and 5, including wins over 6 of their 7 opponents in 

the Sun Belt Conference; 

Whereas the Owls defeated their first Big Ten opponent in 

the history of the program, the University of Minnesota, 

on September 15, 2007; 

Whereas Quarterback Rusty Smith was named Most Valuable 

Player of the 2007 R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl and 

Player of the Year in the Sun Belt Conference; 

Whereas Head Coach Howard Schnellenberger was named 

Coach of the Year in the Sun Belt Conference; 

Whereas Quarterback Rusty Smith, Tight End Jason Harmon, Wide Receiver Cortez Gent, Linebacker Frantz Joseph, Linebacker Cergile Sincere, and Defensive Back 

Tavious Polo were named First Team All-Conference by 

the Sun Belt Conference; 

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

member of the Florida Atlantic University Owls dedicated this season and their efforts to winning the Sun 

Belt Conference and earning a bid in the R+L Carriers 

New Orleans Bowl; 

Whereas the Owls’ players, coaches, and everyone associated 

with the football program represent the University and 


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•HRES 927 IH 

the State of Florida with exemplary sportsmanship and 

competitiveness; and 

Whereas residents of South Florida and Owl fans statewide 

are to be commended for their support, perseverance, and 

pride in the team: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the United States House of Rep2 resentatives— 

3 (1) commends the Florida Atlantic University 

4 Owls for their historic win in the 2007 R+L Car5 riers New Orleans Bowl; 

6 (2) recognizes the achievements of the players, 

7 coaches, students, and support staff who were in8 strumental in the Owls’ victory and their continued 

9 success as a football program; and 

10 (3) directs the Clerk of the House of Represent11 atives to transmit a copy of this resolution to Flor12 ida Atlantic University President Frank T. Brogan 

13 and Head Coach Howard Schnellenberger for appro14 priate display. 

Æ 


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