Bill Text: VA HR196 | 2018 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Commending the Radford University men's basketball team.
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 5-2)
Status: (Passed) 2018-03-09 - Bill text as passed House (HR196ER) [HR196 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2018-HR196-Enrolled.html
WHEREAS, the Radford University men's basketball team won the National Collegiate Athletic Association Big South Conference Championship on March 4, 2018, securing the third tournament title in the program's history; and
WHEREAS, relying on superb passing and shooting and one of the conference's stingiest defenses, the Radford University Highlanders finished second in the Big South Conference during the regular season; and
WHEREAS, after besting Longwood University and Winthrop University in the early rounds of the Big South tournament, the Radford Highlanders defeated the Liberty University Flames 55 - 52 to capture the championship; and
WHEREAS, the Radford Highlanders continued their excellent defensive play in the conference final and held a five-point lead at halftime, but the score was tied at 52 - 52 when the Highlanders called a timeout with just 13 seconds left in the game; and
WHEREAS, as the final seconds ticked away, Radford Highlanders freshman guard Carlik Jones made a move at the top of the key and then swished a three-point basket as the buzzer sounded to seal the victory; and
WHEREAS, Carlik Jones led the Radford Highlanders with 13 points, followed by Travis Fields, Jr., with 12 points and Ed Polite, Jr., with 11 points; Devonnte Holland scored 11 points in addition to recording a game-high seven rebounds; and
WHEREAS, along with the tournament championship, Radford Highlanders coach Mike Smith was named the Big South Conference Coach of the Year and Carlik Jones was named Freshman of the Year; Ed Polite, Jr., was named to the Big South Conference first team; and
WHEREAS, by winning the Big South Conference Championship, the Radford Highlanders booked a place in the National Collegiate Athletic Association championship tournament for the first time since 2009; and
WHEREAS, the Radford University men's basketball team's conference title is a testament to the hard work and dedication of all its talented student-athletes, the excellent guidance of its coaches and staff, and the enthusiastic support of the entire Radford University community; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That the Radford University men's basketball team hereby be commended for winning the 2018 National Collegiate Athletic Association Big South Conference Championship; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Mike Jones, head coach of the Radford University men's basketball team, as an expression of the House of Delegates' admiration for the team's spectacular season and best wishes for continued success.