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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate wish to 
3congratulate the University of Illinois women's wheelchair 
4basketball team, the Fighting Illini, on its historic 
52025-2026 season; and
 
6    WHEREAS, The University of Illinois women's wheelchair 
7basketball team achieved an outstanding third-place finish at 
8the 2026 National Wheelchair Basketball Association (NWBA) 
9National Championships; and
 
10    WHEREAS, The women's wheelchair basketball team 
11represented the University of Illinois Division of Disability 
12Resources and Educational Services, which is home to the 
13world's original and oldest collegiate wheelchair basketball 
14program and has a proud 77-year history of leadership, 
15excellence, and innovation in the sport; and
 
16    WHEREAS, The University of Illinois wheelchair basketball 
17program is widely recognized as the birthplace of collegiate 
18wheelchair basketball and played a foundational role in the 
19development and growth of the NWBA; and
 
20    WHEREAS, The University of Illinois women's wheelchair 
21basketball team made history in 1970 as the first all-women's 
 
 
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1wheelchair basketball team in the world, further advancing 
2opportunities for women in adaptive athletics; and
 
3    WHEREAS, The achievements of the women's wheelchair 
4basketball team reflect the dedication, perseverance, 
5sportsmanship, and excellence of the student-athletes, 
6coaches, and support staff who represent the University of 
7Illinois; and
 
8    WHEREAS, The accomplishments of the University of Illinois 
9wheelchair basketball team bring great pride to the State of 
10Illinois and exemplify the strength and impact of inclusive 
11collegiate athletics; and
 
12    WHEREAS, The Fighting Illini are led by Head Coach 
13Stephanie Wheeler, Assistant Coaches Matt Poland, Marlee 
14Wagstaff, and Eubin Ham, and Athletic Trainer Jan Wenke; and
 
15    WHEREAS, The members of the Fighting Illini team include 
16players Amelia Stotts, Mary Wagstaff, Kylee Koenig, Ava 
17Finger, Bethany Johnson, Morgan McCammon, Kendall Speaks, 
18Josie Portell, Maya Campbell, Abbie Counts, and Ritvika 
19Kondakrindi and managers Rachel Divan, O'Tice Lewis, James 
20Shafer, Mia Lozada, VazQues Johnson, Larry Parker, and 
21Cavaurion Vinson; and
 
 
 
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1    WHEREAS, The Fighting Illini's achievements have 
2reinforced the reputation of the University of Illinois as a 
3powerhouse in college basketball; therefore, be it
 
4    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL 
5ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate the 
6University of Illinois women's wheelchair basketball team, the 
7Fighting Illini, on its historic 2025-2026 season, and we wish 
8the team many more successful seasons; and be it further
 
9    RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be 
10presented to the University of Illinois women's wheelchair 
11basketball team as a symbol of our respect and esteem.