SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 37

(By Senators Plymale, Woelfel, Kessler, Laird, Stollings, D. Hall, Unger, Yost, Nohe and Prezioso)

Recognizing the Marshall University football team and designating February 18, 2015, as Marshall University Day at the Capitol.

            Whereas, The Marshall University Thundering Herd football team won the 2014 Conference USA championship for the first time in its 10 years in the league; and

            Whereas, The Marshall University Thundering Herd football team finished the season ranked number 22 in the Amway Coaches' poll and number 23 in the Associated Press media poll, the first time in twelve years it was ranked in the Top 25 in both polls; and

            Whereas, The Marshall University Thundering Herd football team won the Boca Raton Bowl with a convincing 52-23 victory over Mid-American Conference champion Northern Illinois; and

            Whereas, The Marshall University Thundering Herd football team finished the season with a 13-1 record, becoming only the third team in school history to win 13 games; and

            Whereas, The Marshall University Thundering Herd football team's coach and two players received major C-USA awards: Coach Doc Holliday was named Coach of the Year; quarterback Rakeem Cato was named Offensive Player of the Year; and linebacker Neville Hewitt was named Defensive Player of the Year; and

            Whereas, The Marshall University Thundering Herd football team had a league-record 10 players selected to the All-Conference USA first team; and

            Whereas, The Marshall University Thundering Herd football team's players excelled in the classroom as well as on the field, with tight end Eric Frohnapfel and offensive tackle Trevor Mendelson selected to the 11-player C-USA All-Academic team, both having received their undergraduate degrees and both having 4.0 GPAs in MBA programs; and

            Whereas, The Marshall University Thundering Herd football team's quarterback Rakeem Cato set the NCAA's FBS record for most consecutive games with a touchdown pass at forty-six, which also tied the all-divisions record; and

            Whereas, The Marshall University Thundering Herd football team's Rakeem Cato, center Chris Jasperse and defensive tackle James Rouse were selected to play in post-season all-star games for seniors; and

            Whereas, The Marshall University Thundering Herd football team's place kicker Justin Haig was the MVP of the Conference USA championship game, kicking four field goals, including a record three of 40 or more yards, and finished his career as the top kicked-points scorer in Thundering Herd history; and

            Whereas, The Marshall University Thundering Herd football team was the only team among 128 FBS teams to rank in the top 20 nationally in both rushing offense and passing offense; and

            Whereas, The Marshall University Thundering Herd football team's running back Devon Johnson's 1,767 rushing yards in 2014 ranked second in Thundering Herd single-season history and fifth nationally in FBS; and

            Whereas, The Marshall University Thundering Herd football team's wide receiver Tommy Shuler finished his career with a Marshall-record 322 receptions, ranking fourth in all-time in major college football; and

            Whereas The Marshall University Thundering Herd football team is one of six programs with four consecutive victories in bowls, the longest active streak in the nation; therefore, be it

            Resolved by the Senate:

            That the Senate hereby recognizes the Marshall University football team and designates February 18, 2015, as Marshall University Day at the Capitol; and, be it

            Further Resolved, That the Clerk is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to Doc Holliday, head football coach at Marshall University.