LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION congratulating the Syracuse University Women's
Basketball Team upon the occasion of its record-breaking season, which
led them to the first National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)
Women's Championship game in program history

WHEREAS, Excellence and success in competitive sports can be achieved
through strenuous practice, teamwork and a dedicated coaching staff; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and pay
tribute to those student athletes within our midst who, by achieving
outstanding success in athletic competition, have inspired and brought
great pride to their college and community; 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 by developing a
sense of fair play and competition; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to congratu-
late and recognize the Syracuse University Women's Basketball Team upon
the occasion of its record-breaking season, which led them to the first
National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Women's Championship
game in program history; and
WHEREAS, Following its historic run to the NCAA championship game, the
Syracuse University Women's Basketball Team, with an overall record of
30-8, shot to its highest ranking in program history in the USA TODAY
Coaches Poll, reaching No. 3 nationwide; and
WHEREAS, The Syracuse University Women's Basketball Team also achieved
the most wins in program history, as well as the program's first Sweet
16, Elite Eight, Final Four and NCAA championship game appearances; and
WHEREAS, On March 20, 2016, the No. 14/15 Syracuse University Women's
Basketball Team fought its way to the program's first Sweet 16 appear-
ance after defeating Albany 76-59 in the Carrier Dome; the win marked
another record-breaking day in a historic season for Syracuse with the
team's 27th victory and with the senior class earning its 96th win; and
WHEREAS, At the Sweet 16 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota , the Syracuse
University Women's Basketball Team upset top-seeded South Carolina 80-72
to advance to the Elite Eight, where it then landed a 89-67 victory over
Tennessee, with the impressive contest setting yet another program
record for the points scored in an NCAA Tournament game by the Syracuse
University Orange; and
WHEREAS, Further history was made when the Syracuse University Women's
Basketball Team hustled its way to the NCAA Tournament final with a
dominant 80-59 victory over the Washington Huskies at the Final Four in
Indianapolis on April 3rd; the victory placed the program one win away
from a national title and marked the first 30-win season in program
history, giving the 2016 Syracuse University Women's Basketball senior
class 99 wins for their collegiate careers; and
WHEREAS, Though the Syracuse University Women's Basketball Team lost
the NCAA tournament title to the University of Connecticut (UConn), the
team played hard, never gave up, and kept their heads high; and
WHEREAS, The outstanding athletic talent, teamwork and sportsmanship
displayed by the Syracuse University Women's Basketball Team is due in
great part to the skilled and supportive efforts of Head Coach Quentin
Hillsman, Associate Head Coach Vonn Read, Assistant Coach Tammi Reiss,
Assistant Coach Cedric Solice, and Multimedia and Technology Director
Ryan Nichols; and

WHEREAS, Throughout the season, the support of fans within both the
Syracuse University and Central New York communities significantly grew
in enthusiasm; and
WHEREAS, Members of the Syracuse University Women's Basketball Team
rallied behind one another in establishing a sisterhood of athletic
ability, good sportsmanship, honor and scholarship, while demonstrating
that these team players are of the highest caliber, while contributing
to the spirit of excellence that is a tradition of their university;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate the Syracuse University Women's Basketball Team; its
outstanding members: Alexis Peterson, Julia Chandler, Maggie Morrison,
Jade Phillips, Isabella Slim, Cornelia Fondren, Aliyah Parris, Brianna
Butler, Savannah Crocetti, Brittney Sykes, Danielle Minott, Taylor Ford,
Brandi Fowler, Davida Dale, Abby Grant, Briana Day, and Bria Day; and
Head Coach Quentin Hillsman, Associate Head Coach Vonn Read, Assistant
Coach Tammi Reiss, Assistant Coach Cedric Solice, and Multimedia and
Technology Director Ryan Nichols on their outstanding season and overall
team record; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to members of the Syracuse University Women's Basketball Team,
and the aforementioned coaches and staff.