Reference Title: Lady Wildcats softball team

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
CONGRATULATING THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA WOMEN'S SOFTBALL TEAM FOR ITS OUTSTANDING RECORD OF PERFORMANCE.

Whereas, over the past seven years, the University of Arizona women's softball team has achieved a remarkable record of athletic accomplishment, earning its players national recognition and distinguishing them as talented and disciplined athletes who consistently demonstrate excellence in their endeavors; and

Whereas, since 1991, the Lady Wildcats have earned five National Collegiate Athletic Association softball championships, including unprecedented consecutive NCAA championships in 1993 and 1994, and 1996 and 1997. Winners of the 1997 College World Series, the team ended its remarkable season with a 61-5 overall record and won the Pacific-10 Conference championship with a 26-1 record, its best ever in more than a decade of league play; and

Whereas, in 1997, the University of Arizona women's softball team won all thirty of its home games and enjoyed winning streaks of thirty and twenty-six games. The team's seventeen-game winning streak at the end of 1996, paired with its thirty consecutive victories at the beginning of the 1997 season, established an NCAA record of a forty-seven game winning streak; and

Whereas, the Lady Wildcats' All-College World Series players in 1997 included pitcher Nancy Evans, who earned distinction as the College World Series Most Valuable Player and set a UA record of 36-2, Alison Johnsen, who was named Pac-10 Player of the Year and set an NCAA record with 132 hits, and Leah O'Brien, who concluded her four seasons of CWS play with a remarkable 31 hits. The team produced a record five first-team All-American players in 1997, and numerous team members also were named as All-Pac-10 and All-Pacific Region players; and

Whereas, the Lady Wildcats' tremendous record of success is due largely to the dedication and expertise of Coach Mike Candrea, who earned honors in 1997 as the National Fastpitch Coaches Association National Coach of the Year, the Pacific Region Coach of the Year and the Pacific-10 Conference Coach of the Year. In his twelve full seasons with the Wildcats, he has earned a winning percentage of 82 percent, and last season he became the tenth Division I coach in history to win six hundred games. The Lady Wildcats' consistent outstanding play is evidence of Coach Candrea's ability to motivate his players and to instill within them a true appreciation of the game; and

Whereas, the members of the University of Arizona women's softball team, through their consistently exhilarating style of play, have brought honor and prestige to their community and to the State of Arizona. Coach Candrea and the Lady Wildcats have earned the well-deserved respect and admiration of their many fans and of all who know them.

Therefore

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the State of Arizona, the Senate concurring:

1. That the members of the Legislature, on behalf of the citizens of the State of Arizona, congratulate the Arizona Lady Wildcats and Coach Mike Candrea on their outstanding record of performance and extend best wishes for their continued success.

2. That the Secretary of State of the State of Arizona transmit a copy of this resolution to the University of Arizona women's softball team.

ADOPTED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES APRIL 29, 1998.

ADOPTED BY THE SENATE APRIL 29, 1998.

FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE APRIL 30, 1998.