MADISON/WHITEWATER (WITI) – State Representative Andy Jorgensen (D-Milton) and State Senator Janis Ringhand (D-Evansville) on Thursday, February 12th welcomed University of Wisconsin-Whitewater student-athletes, coaches, and administrative staff, including Chancellor Richard Telfer, to the Capitol. Jorgensen and Ringhand authored joint resolutions honoring the NCAA Division III championship wins of the football, men’s basketball, and baseball teams, which were approved unanimously in the Assembly.
“UW-Whitewater isn’t a ‘one-in-a-million’ kind of school, it’s a ‘one in 38 million’ school. Those were the odds our Warhawks could earn a trifecta of national championships in these major sports – and they did it!” said Jorgensen. “We can be very proud of the student-athletes and coaches who brought such honor on our state, and it’s only right that the Legislature congratulate them on their successes.”
“Winning one championship is an achievement in itself, but to have three teams accomplish that feat is simply extraordinary,” said Ringhand. “It is truly a sign of their hard work and their passion for their sport. I was so honored to have UW-Whitewater here with us today and we are incredibly proud of these tremendous student-athletes and the university they represent.”
Assembly Joint Resolution 10 commended the UW-Whitewater football team for its second consecutive perfect season in 2014, winning the NCAA DIII title for the sixth time in eight years. The resolution acknowledged the work of American Football Coaches Association DIII National Coach of the Year Lance Leipold and Defensive Coach Kevin Bullis, who has since taken over the position of Head Coach, and congratulated WIAC Offensive Player of the Year and Stagg Bowl XLII Most Valuable Player Matt Behrendt, D3football.com National Offensive Player of the Year Jake Kumerow, and first team All-American Brady Grayvold.
Assembly Joint Resolution 11 commended the UW-Whitewater men’s basketball team upon earning its second NCAA Division III championship in the last three years and fourth in program history, noting the contributions of Head Coach Pat Miller, who earned three national coach of the year honors, and tournament's Most Valuable Player KJ Evans and UW-Whitewater's Male Student-Athlete of the Year Alex Merg.
Assembly Joint Resolution 12 commends the UW-Whitewater baseball team for earning its 15th Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference title, the regional championship, and its second NCAA Division III Baseball National Championship title. The resolution also acknowledges Head Coach John Vodenlich’s 400th career win, as well as the contributions of 2014 WIAC Player of the Year Mikole Pierce, All-American Jared Fon, World Series Most Outstanding Player Scott Plaza, Dylan Friend, Michael Gonzalez, and Casey Power.
Jorgensen and Ringhand are also planning a day to honor UW-Whitewater’s other national championship teams: gymnastics, wheelchair men’s basketball, and wheelchair women’s basketball.