LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION congratulating the 2015-2016 University at Albany
Women's Basketball Team upon the occasion of capturing the American East
Conference Championship, and advancing to the second round of the NCAA
Women's Basketball 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 Albany Women's Basketball Team upon the occasion
of capturing the American East Conference Championship on Friday, March
11, 2016, and advancing to the second round of the NCAA Women's Basket-
ball National Tournament; and
WHEREAS, The University at Albany Women's Great Danes Basketball Team
achieved a record breaking fifth American East Conference Title with an
exciting 59-58 victory over the University of Maine in the championship
game; and
WHEREAS, Following their official selection for the 2016 NCAA Tourna-
ment, the UAlbany Great Danes entered the first round as the 12th seed,
and upset the fifth seeded Florida Gators with a dramatic 61-59 comeback
win at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse, New York, on March 18, 2016; and
WHEREAS, With this victory, the Great Danes have earned their first
NCAA Division I Tournament win in the history of the women's basketball
program, and tied a program record for wins in a single season with 28;
and
WHEREAS, The athletic talent displayed by this team is due in great
part to the efforts of Coach Katie Abrahamson-Henderson and Assistant
Coaches Mary Grimes, Isoken Uzamere and Tahnee Balerio, skilled and
inspirational tutors respected for their ability to turn potential into
excellence; and
WHEREAS, The 2015-2016 University at Albany Women's Basketball Team
have proven themselves to be an outstanding collection of talents,
reflecting favorably on their school; and
WHEREAS, Coach Katie Abrahamson-Henderson 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 Katie Abrahamson-Henderson and these outstand-
ing athletes have clearly made a contribution to the spirit of excel-
lence which is a tradition of their school; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate the University at Albany Women's Basketball Team; its
members: Erin Coughlin, Aubrey Hernandez, Bailey Hixson, Imani Tate,
Bose Aiyalogbe, Jessica Fequiere, Heather Forster, Zakiya Saunders,
Shereesha Richards, Tiana-Jo Carter, and Cassandra Edwards; Coach Katie
Abrahamson-Henderson; Assistant Coaches Mary Grimes, Isoken Uzamere and
Tahnee Balerio; Graduate Assistant Manager Jordyn Wartts; and Director
of Basketball Operations Elizabeth Tapler, on their outstanding season
and overall team record; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the University at Albany Women's Basketball Team, and Coach
Katie Abrahamson-Henderson.