HR0048 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0048 LRB094 07155 HSS 37309 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, During the 2004-2005 season, a century of University of Illinois basketball tradition and excellence is being celebrated as the Fighting Illini play their 100th year of varsity basketball; and

WHEREAS, The tradition of Illinois basketball ranks among the best in the nation; it is a passion with fans throughout the State and alumni around the world; Illinois ranks as the sixteenth-winningest basketball program in the history of the game with more than 1,470 wins since its very first game on January 12, 1906; the Illini have won or shared 16 Big Ten championships, played in 24 NCAA Tournaments, and advanced to four Final Fours since Elwood Brown coached the first Illinois basketball squad; and

WHEREAS, To help commemorate the 100th year of basketball as a varsity sport this season, the University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics has unveiled its All-Century Team; this 20-man team was selected after voting by thousands of fans on www.fightingillini.com and the Illinois Basketball Centennial Committee; the team will be honored during the Illinois Basketball Centennial Reunion Weekend, January 28 through January 30, 2005, and banners displaying the names of the All-Century Team will hang permanently at the Assembly Hall; and

WHEREAS, The members of the All-Century team are Ray Woods (1915-17), Chuck Carney (1920-22), Andy Phillip (1942-43, 1947), Gene Vance (1942-43, 1947), Dwight "Dike" Eddleman (1947-49), John "Red" Kerr (1952-54), Dave Downey (1961-63), Duane "Skip" Thoren (1963-65), Don Freeman (1964-66), Nick Weatherspoon (1971-73), Eddie Johnson (1978-81), Derek Harper (1981-83), Bruce Douglas (1983-86), Ken Norman (1985-87), Kenny Battle (1988-89), Nick Anderson (1988-89), Kendall Gill (1987-90), Deon Thomas (1991-94), Frank Williams (2000-02), and Brian Cook (2000-03); therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate the Fighting Illini basketball program on the occasion of its 100th anniversary celebration, and we celebrate the rich history of Fighting Illini basketball; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the Fighting Illini basketball program as an expression of our esteem and with best wishes for the continued success of the program.