Commending the Northwest Missouri State University Bearcats mens basketball team for another National Collegiate Athletic Association Division II national championship victory. 

Commending the Northwest Missouri State University Bearcats mens basketball team for another National Collegiate Athletic Association Division II national championship victory. Whereas, on March 30, 2019, the Northwest Missouri State University Bearcats mens basketball team (referred to in this preamble as the Bearcats NCAA Whereas that victory is the second national championship victory in 3 years for the Bearcats; Whereas the Bearcats ended the 20182019 season as the only undefeated mens basketball program in the NCAA, with an overall record of 380, tying the NCAA Division II record for most wins in a season and making the Bearcats only the fifth team in the history of NCAA Division II mens basketball to win a national title with a perfect record; Whereas, with 38 wins, the undefeated 20182019 season (1) was only the fourth time in the history of the mens basketball program at Northwest Missouri State University that the Bearcats reached the 30-win mark; and (2) broke the previous Bearcat record of 31 wins and zero losses set by the 19291930 Bearcats led by Coach Hank Iba; Whereas all 11 players on the Bearcats roster should be congratulated, including (1) Diego Bernard; (2) Tyler Dougherty; (3) Kirk Finley; (4) Ryan Hawkins; (5) Trevor Hudgins; (6) Daric Laing; (7) Xavier Rhodes; (8) Dray Starzl; (9) Luke Waters; (10) Ryan Welty; and (11) Joey Witthus; Whereas, during the 20182019 season, the Bearcats (1) held opponents to an average of 61.7 points; (2) forced 13 turnovers per game; and (3) shot 50 percent or better from the field in 22 of 38 games; Whereas all 5 starters on the Bearcats roster (Diego Bernard, Ryan Hawkins, Trevor Hudgins, Ryan Welty, and Joey Witthus) made 40 or more 3-point field goals during the 20182019 season; Whereas 3 players on the Bearcats roster (Ryan Hawkins, Trevor Hudgins, and Joey Witthus) scored more than 500 points during the 20182019 season; Whereas, with 339 rebounds during the 20182019 season, Ryan Hawkins set the Northwest Missouri State University single-season record for rebounds; Whereas Trevor Hudgins (1) tied the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (referred to in this preamble as the MIAA (2) set a Northwest Missouri State University single-season record for assists, with 203 assists during the 20182019 season; and (3) set the MIAA freshman scoring record for points, scoring 712 points during the 20182019 season; Whereas Joey Witthus (1) set the Northwest Missouri State University single-season record for 3-point field goals made, with 114 3-point field goals made during the 20182019 season; and (2) set the Northwest Missouri State University single-season record for points, scoring 780 points during the 20182019 season; Whereas the 20182019 Bearcats (1) set the single-season MIAA record for points, scoring a total of 3,130 points during the 20182019 season; (2) set the team record for field goals made, with 1,105 field goals made during the 20182019 season; and (3) set the team record for 3-point field goals made, with 404 3-point field goals made during the 20182019 season; Whereas Joey Witthus and Trevor Hudgins were named to the All-MIAA First Team; Whereas Ryan Hawkins (1) was named to the All-MIAA Second Team; and (2) was named to the MIAA All-Defensive Team; Whereas Diego Bernard (1) was named to the MIAA All-Defensive Team; and (2) was an All-MIAA honorable mention; Whereas Ryan Welty (1) was an All-MIAA honorable mention; and (2) is the active career leader in 3-point field goal percentage in the United States, with a 3-point field goal percentage of 50.8; and Whereas Coach Ben McCollum (1) earned the John McLendon Collegiate Basketball Coach of the Year award, making Coach Ben McCollum the first non-Division I head coach to receive the award; (2) was named NCAA Division II Coach of the Year by Basketball Times; (3) was named Coach of the Year by the MIAA; and (4) led the Bearcats to a 1005 record over 3 seasons: Now, therefore, be it That the Senate (1) commends the Northwest Missouri State University Bearcats mens basketball team for another National Collegiate Athletic Association Division II national championship victory in mens basketball; (2) recognizes the athletic prowess, hard work, and dedication exhibited by the players, coaches, support staff, and student body of Northwest Missouri State University; and (3) congratulates (A) the city of Maryville, Missouri; (B) the fans of the Northwest Missouri State University Bearcats mens basketball team; and (C) the alumni of Northwest Missouri State University throughout the world.

Summary: This resolution commends the Northwest Missouri State University Bearcats men's basketball team for another National Collegiate Athletic Association Division II national championship victory in men's basketball.