LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION congratulating the 2015-2016 University at
Buffalo Men's Basketball Team upon the occasion of capturing the Mid-Am-
erican Conference Championship, and advancing to the NCAA Men's Basket-
ball National Tournament

WHEREAS, Excellence and success in competitive sports can be achieved
only through strenuous practice, team play and team spirit, nurtured by
dedicated coaching and strategic planning; and
WHEREAS, Athletic competition enhances the moral and physical develop-
ment of the young people of this State, preparing them for the future by
instilling in them the value of teamwork, encouraging a standard of
healthy living, imparting a desire for success and developing a sense of
fair play and competition; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to congratulate the
2015-2016 University at Buffalo Men's Basketball Team upon the occasion
of capturing the Mid-American Conference Championship on Saturday, March
12, 2016, and advancing to the NCAA Men's Basketball National Tourna-
ment; and
WHEREAS, The University at Buffalo Bulls have achieved their second
consecutive NCAA Tournament in school history with a thrilling last
second three point shot to earn a 64-61 victory over Akron in the Mid-
American Conference Championship Game; and
WHEREAS, With this victory, the Buffalo Bulls have become the first
Western New York team to enter the NCAA Tournament in back-to-back years
since 1957; they are also only the second Big 4 school to ever send both
its men's and women's teams to the Big Dance in the same year; and
WHEREAS, The Bulls will now face Miami University as the 14th seed in
the opening round of the NCAA Tournament on March 17, 2016; and
WHEREAS, The athletic talent displayed by this team is due in great
part to the efforts of first year coach, Nate Oats, and his staff,
skilled and inspirational tutors respected for their ability to turn
potential into excellence; and
WHEREAS, The 2015-2016 University at Buffalo Men's Basketball Team
members have proven themselves to be an outstanding collection of
talents, reflecting favorably on their school; and
WHEREAS, Coach Nate Oats has done a superb job in guiding, molding and
inspiring the team members toward their goals; and
WHEREAS, Sports competition instills the values of teamwork, pride and
accomplishment, and Coach Nate Oats and all of the outstanding athletes
have clearly made a contribution to the spirit of excellence which is a
tradition of their school; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate the members of the University at Buffalo Men's Basketball
Team and Coach Nate Oats upon the occasion of capturing the Mid-American
Conference Championship, and advancing to the NCAA Men's Basketball
National Tournament; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the University at Buffalo Men's Basketball Team and Coach
Nate Oats.