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2022 SPECIAL SESSION I

22208041D
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 609
Offered April 25, 2022
Commending the Randolph-Macon College men's basketball team.
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Patron-- Marsden
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WHEREAS, in 2022, the Randolph-Macon College men’s basketball team brought home the institution’s first national title in any sport with a victory in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division III Men’s Basketball Championship; and

WHEREAS, Randolph-Macon College was established in 1830 by the Methodist Church and remains the oldest active institution of its kind in the United States; the institution is currently located in Ashland and has maintained proud traditions of academic excellence, leadership development among its students, and engagement with the community; and

WHEREAS, throughout its history, the Randolph-Macon College men’s basketball team has enjoyed generations of success at the regional and national levels under the leadership of legendary coaches like Paul Webb, Hal Nunnally, Mike Rhoades, and Nathan Davis; and

WHEREAS, in the 2021–2022 season, the Randolph-Macon College Yellow Jackets traveled all the way to Fort Wayne, Indiana, to defeat the Elmhurst University Blue Jays, 75–45, setting a new record for the largest margin of victory in a Division III championship game; and

WHEREAS, although the Elmhurst Blue Jays took a slight lead in the first half, the Randolph-Macon Yellow Jackets responded with a 10–0 run and held a 15-point lead by halftime; the Yellow Jackets started the second half strong and never looked back, cruising to a lopsided win; and

WHEREAS, junior Josh Talbert led the Randolph-Macon Yellow Jackets with 15 points and 11 rebounds, followed by Division III National Player of the Year Buzz Anthony with 14 points and junior Miles Mallory with 10 points and nine rebounds; and

WHEREAS, the Randolph-Macon Yellow Jackets finished the season with an overall record of 33–1 and a perfect 16–0 record against Old Dominion Athletic Conference opponents; and

WHEREAS, the victorious season is a tribute to the skill and determination of all the student-athletes, the leadership and guidance of coaches and staff, and the passionate support of the members of the Randolph-Macon College community, many of whom drove more than 10 hours to cheer for the team in the championship final; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate of Virginia, That the Randolph-Macon College men’s basketball team hereby be commended on winning the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division III Men’s Basketball Championship in 2022; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Josh Merkel, head coach of the Randolph-Macon College men’s basketball team, as an expression of the Senate of Virginia’s admiration for the team’s historic achievements and best wishes for the future.