Congratulating the Northwest Missouri State University Bearcats mens basketball team on winning the 2022 Mens Division II National Collegiate Athletics Association National Championship.

Congratulating the Northwest Missouri State University Bearcats mens basketball team on winning the 2022 Mens Division II National Collegiate Athletics Association National Championship. Whereas, on March 26, 2022, the Northwest Missouri State University Bearcats men's basketball team (referred to in this preamble as the Bearcats NCAA National Championship Whereas the Bearcats should be proud of the storied history of the Northwest Missouri State University basketball program, dating back to 1905, the year during which the University was founded; Whereas the Bearcats should be commended for their achievements and dedication during the 20212022 season; Whereas the victory of the Bearcats in the 2022 Men's Division II NCAA National Championship, which marked the third consecutive NCAA National Championship for the team, cemented the place of the Bearcats in Men's Division II NCAA National Championship basketball history as the first three-peat Whereas the Augusta University Jaguars should be commended on their efforts and success during an unprecedented season amid the coronavirus pandemic; Whereas the city of Evansville, Indiana, and the National Collegiate Athletics Association should be commended for their efforts in providing a safe environment for the student athletes and staff during the championship tournament; Whereas the Bearcats went 60 during the 2022 NCAA National Championship tournament with an average margin of victory of 14 points; Whereas the Bearcats clinched a first round victory against Minnesota State University Moorhead with a score of 6954; Whereas the Bearcats clinched a second round victory against Washburn University with a score of 7055; Whereas the Bearcats clinched a third round victory against Augustana University with a score of 7056; Whereas the Bearcats clinched a quarterfinals victory against Bentley University with a score of 6143; Whereas the Bearcats clinched a semifinals victory against Black Hills State University with a score of 7057; Whereas the Bearcats claimed their third consecutive NCAA National Championship title by defeating Augusta University with a score of 6758; Whereas Trevor Hudgins should be commended for his role in the victory of the Bearcats by scoring a game-high 31 points; Whereas 3 members of the Bearcats scored in the double digits and should be commended for their scoring efforts: (1) Trevor Hudgins; (2) Luke Waters; and (3) Mitch Mascari; Whereas Trevor Hudgins and Luke Waters should be celebrated for their selection to the Elite Eight National Collegiate Athletics Association All-Tournament Team; Whereas Trevor Hudgins was awarded Most Outstanding Player of Division II Mens Basketball Elite Eight Whereas Ben McCollum was selected for the Clarence Big House Whereas the entire Northwest Missouri State University basketball program should be commended for their Division II record of 17 consecutive tournaments wins; Whereas the Bearcats won their ninth consecutive Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association regular season title; Whereas the Bearcats captured their tenth Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association Tournament championship with an 8476 win over Washburn on March 6, 2022 at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Missouri; Whereas the entire Bearcats roster contributed to the NCAA National Championship victory, including Daniel Abreu, Byron Alexander, Diego Bernard, Blake Danitschek, Wes Dreamer, Trevor Hudgins, Isaiah Jackson, Mitch Mascari, Luke Moustakas, Spencer Schomers, Christian Stanislav, and Luke Waters; Whereas the entire Bearcats coaching staff contributed to the NCAA National Championship victory, including Ben McCollum, Zach Schneider, Xavier Kurth, Dray Starzl, Jaran Richman, and Jake Coffman; and Whereas the 3 consecutive NCAA National Championship victories of the Bearcats provide a sense of excitement and pride for the City of Maryville, Missouri, and Bearcat nation across Missouri: Now, therefore, be it That the Senate (1) congratulates the Northwest Missouri State University Bearcats mens basketball team, the entire Northwest Missouri State University community, Mayor of Maryville Tye Parsons, University President Dr. John Jasinski, Governor Mike Parson, and fans of the Bearcats on the National Collegiate Athletics Association National Championship victory; and (2) respectfully directs the Secretary of the Senate to transmit an enrolled copy of this resolution to (A) President of Northwest Missouri State University John Jasinski; (B) Head Coach of the Northwest Missouri State University men's basketball team Ben McCollum; and (C) Mayor of Maryville, Missouri, Tye Parsons.

Summary: This resolution congratulates the Northwest Missouri State University Bearcats men's basketball team and the university community, mayor, university president, governor, and fans of the Bearcats on their National Collegiate Athletics Association national championship victory.