Governor, State Legislature to Honor America East Champions
BURLINGTON, Vt. - The America East Champion University of Vermont Men's Basketball team will be honored Friday morning at the Vermont Statehouse in Montpelier. Vermont Governor James Douglas will congratulate coach Tom Brennan and the Catamounts with a reception in his ceremonial office at the Statehouse at 8:30am. At 9:30am, the Vermont House of Representatives and the Vermont State Senate will present a joint resolution in honor of the team in their respective chambers. It is the third straight year the state has recognized the efforts of the Catamounts. UVM is coming off its finest season in the 104 years of basketball at the school winning a school-record 22 games. Vermont captured its second straight America East title and advanced to the NCAA tournament for the second time in school history. Below is the text of the Vermont House of Representatives and State Senate Resolution: House and Senate concurrent resolution congratulating the outstanding 2004 University of Vermont (UVM) men's basketball team: Whereas, the 2004 UVM men's basketball team achieved multiple historic milestones during its brilliant 2003-2004 season, and
Whereas, even before the 2003-2004 season officially commenced, the Catamounts were a team in the public eye as it appeared for the first time in the prestigious preseason National Invitational Tournament, and
Whereas, despite an initially lackluster 0-4 regular season record, the Catamounts ignited a winning streak of legendary proportions as they proceeded to win 16 of the next 17 games, and established school records as they earned 13 consecutive victories, nine straight road triumphs, and their best start ever in conference play with a 12-0 America East record, and
Whereas, their final season victory tally of 22 wins also established a new UVM benchmark, and
Whereas, the Catamounts captured the America East championship with a powerful 73-52 win against the University of Maine in the tournament's finale, and
Whereas, although the Catamounts were not victorious in their NCAA Tournament game against the University of Connecticut, the ultimate NCAA championship team, they played an unbelievable season on the hardwood floor, and
Whereas, T.J. Sorrentine and Taylor Coppenrath were named to the America East All-Conference team, and Taylor, who had the fourth highest points per game average at 24.1 in men's intercollegiate basketball this season, was named the conference's Kevin Roberson America East Player of the Year for the second time, and his 43-point contribution to UVM's win over Maine in the conference final also earned him the Reggie Lewis Most Outstanding Player Award
Whereas, the Catamounts excelled in the classroom as eight of the 13 players earned a 3.0 or better average, and
Whereas, this superb roster of Catamount players, including T.J. Sorrentine Jack Phelan, Kyle Cieplicki of Shelburne, Martin Klimes, Mike Goia, Taylor Coppenrath of West Barnet, David Hehn, Germain Njila, Alex Jensen, Corey Sullivan, Matt Hanson, Scotty Jones, Matt Sheftic of Essex Junction, are all to be praised for their great individual efforts and team spirit as are student managers Reza Mohamed and Amarildo Barbosa, and
Whereas, Head Coach Tom Brennan, Associate Head Coach Jesse Agel, assistant coaches Pat Filien and Jeff Rush inspired the team, and team members appreciated the assistance that Athletic Trainer and Conditioning Coach Chris Poulin and Student Athletic Trainer Ryan Gore provided, and special acknowledgment is also due to UVM's Director of Athletics Dr. Robert Corran, now therefore be it
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives: That the General Assembly congratulates the outstanding 2004 University of Vermont Catamounts men's basketball team, and be it further
Resolved: That the Secretary of State be directed to send a copy of this resolution to Tom Brennan and Dr. Robert Corran at the University of Vermont.
BURLINGTON, Vt. - The America East Champion University of Vermont Men's Basketball team will be honored Friday morning at the Vermont Statehouse in Montpelier. Vermont Governor James Douglas will congratulate coach Tom Brennan and the Catamounts with a reception in his ceremonial office at the Statehouse at 8:30am. At 9:30am, the Vermont House of Representatives and the Vermont State Senate will present a joint resolution in honor of the team in their respective chambers. It is the third straight year the state has recognized the efforts of the Catamounts. UVM is coming off its finest season in the 104 years of basketball at the school winning a school-record 22 games. Vermont captured its second straight America East title and advanced to the NCAA tournament for the second time in school history. Below is the text of the Vermont House of Representatives and State Senate Resolution: House and Senate concurrent resolution congratulating the outstanding 2004 University of Vermont (UVM) men's basketball team: Whereas, the 2004 UVM men's basketball team achieved multiple historic milestones during its brilliant 2003-2004 season, and
Whereas, even before the 2003-2004 season officially commenced, the Catamounts were a team in the public eye as it appeared for the first time in the prestigious preseason National Invitational Tournament, and
Whereas, despite an initially lackluster 0-4 regular season record, the Catamounts ignited a winning streak of legendary proportions as they proceeded to win 16 of the next 17 games, and established school records as they earned 13 consecutive victories, nine straight road triumphs, and their best start ever in conference play with a 12-0 America East record, and
Whereas, their final season victory tally of 22 wins also established a new UVM benchmark, and
Whereas, the Catamounts captured the America East championship with a powerful 73-52 win against the University of Maine in the tournament's finale, and
Whereas, although the Catamounts were not victorious in their NCAA Tournament game against the University of Connecticut, the ultimate NCAA championship team, they played an unbelievable season on the hardwood floor, and
Whereas, T.J. Sorrentine and Taylor Coppenrath were named to the America East All-Conference team, and Taylor, who had the fourth highest points per game average at 24.1 in men's intercollegiate basketball this season, was named the conference's Kevin Roberson America East Player of the Year for the second time, and his 43-point contribution to UVM's win over Maine in the conference final also earned him the Reggie Lewis Most Outstanding Player Award
Whereas, the Catamounts excelled in the classroom as eight of the 13 players earned a 3.0 or better average, and
Whereas, this superb roster of Catamount players, including T.J. Sorrentine Jack Phelan, Kyle Cieplicki of Shelburne, Martin Klimes, Mike Goia, Taylor Coppenrath of West Barnet, David Hehn, Germain Njila, Alex Jensen, Corey Sullivan, Matt Hanson, Scotty Jones, Matt Sheftic of Essex Junction, are all to be praised for their great individual efforts and team spirit as are student managers Reza Mohamed and Amarildo Barbosa, and
Whereas, Head Coach Tom Brennan, Associate Head Coach Jesse Agel, assistant coaches Pat Filien and Jeff Rush inspired the team, and team members appreciated the assistance that Athletic Trainer and Conditioning Coach Chris Poulin and Student Athletic Trainer Ryan Gore provided, and special acknowledgment is also due to UVM's Director of Athletics Dr. Robert Corran, now therefore be it
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives: That the General Assembly congratulates the outstanding 2004 University of Vermont Catamounts men's basketball team, and be it further
Resolved: That the Secretary of State be directed to send a copy of this resolution to Tom Brennan and Dr. Robert Corran at the University of Vermont.