SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 41

(By Senators Hunter, Sharpe, Rowe, Edgell, McCabe, Kessler, Minard, Oliverio, McKenzie, Fanning, Plymale, Prezioso, Chafin, Helmick, Snyder, Bowman, Bailey, Unger, Jenkins, Ross, Dempsey, Love, Deem, Facemyer, Weeks, Boley, Guills, Smith, Minear, Sprouse, White and Tomblin, Mr. President)


Recognizing the 100th anniversary of basketball at West Virginia University.

Whereas, Basketball was played at West Virginia University as an intramural sport from 1898 until 1904 when a formal team was organized; and
Whereas, Due to a lack of practice facilities and limited funding, the program was returned to intramural status in 1908; and
Whereas, In 1915, public interest in basketball had grown nationwide, prompting WVU to reinstate the basketball team; and
Whereas, In 1916, with approval from the Board of Regents, a facility called the "Ark" was opened for the Mountaineers to call home; and
Whereas, In 1928, the West Virginia University Field House was built which seated 4,500 people. In this new "basketball palace", the Mountaineers won 25 of the first 30 contests; and
Whereas, In 1942, WVU finally arrived at the top, with a stunning performance in the National Invitational Tournament where they captured the national championship; and
Whereas, In 1946, the Mountaineers finished third in the NIT. The next year, they ranked first in the nation at 18-1 which advanced them to the NIT semifinals before being upset to finish at 19-3; and
Whereas, Referred to as the first "Golden Era" in Mountaineer basketball, the 1950s was one of West Virginia's most prosperous decades. The Mountaineers compiled a record of 218-68, won six Southern Conference titles, competed in six NCAA tournaments, completed the 1958 regular season as the nation's top-ranked team and finished as the NCAA national runner-up in 1959; and
Whereas, The 1960s brought more NCAA tournament trips as Southern Conference champs; and
Whereas, The 1970s heralded the team's move to the West Virginia University Coliseum and a return to the second "Golden Era". The Mountaineers reestablished their dominance with their new home court; and
Whereas, The 1980s brought 16 post-season appearances, including eight NCAA tournaments, two Atlantic 10 tournament championships and three Atlantic 10 regular season titles; and
Whereas, In the 1990s, West Virginia's initiation into the Big East conference was one of the finest in the annals of the league. In the third season in the league, WVU became a force in the Big East with a shot at the NIT title. The Mountaineers spent the majority of the 1990s in the top 25. At the NCAA tournament, WVU carried the Big East banner; and
Whereas, After 94 seasons and 100 years of play, more than 1,400 victories and boasting of some of the game's greatest players, West Virginia University's basketball history is as rich with tradition as any school in the nation; and
Whereas, With the beginning of a new era, the Mountaineers look to the future to further etch their place in basketball history; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate:
That the Senate hereby recognizes the 100th anniversary of basketball at West Virginia University; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the President of West Virginia University, the Athletic Director and the Head Basketball Coach.