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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 14, 2004

SCHUMER, CLINTON HONOR SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY AND LE MOYNE MEN'S LACROSSE NATIONAL CHAMPS ON FLOOR OF THE US SENATE

On Monday, SU won its ninth National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I men’s lacrosse National Championship; Le Moyne won Division II title Sunday

Senators: In winning championship games by one goal, SU and Le Moyne Men's Lacrosse embodied New York grit and determination

US Senators Charles E. Schumer and Hillary Rodham Clinton today announced they have introduced joint resolutions in the US Senate honoring the Syracuse University and Le Moyne Men's Lacrosse teams, recent winners of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I and II men’s lacrosse National Championships, respectively. Schumer and Clinton said that the teams' perseverance - with SU edging the Naval Academy 14-13 and Le Moyne defeating Limestone 11-10 in double overtime - was a model for other New Yorkers and Americans.

"SU and Le Moyne continue to be great prides of New York. These lacrosse teams had the will and determination that embodies New York - they were going to emerge victorious no matter what it took. With these huge victories coming two days in a row, America now knows that if you want to play championship lacrosse, come to Syracuse," Schumer said.

"Congratulations again to Syracuse University and LeMoyne College on their national championships. Lacrosse is a proud sport with a rich tradition across New York State and in Central New York especially. It’s only fitting that both the Division I and Division II men’s champions, and so many of the young men on both teams, call the Syracuse area home."

The text of the resolutions reads:

Congratulating the Syracuse University Orange men’s lacrosse team on winning the 2004 NCAA Division I men’s lacrosse National Championship.

Whereas on Monday, May 31, 2004, the Syracuse University Orange men’s lacrosse team won the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I men’s lacrosse National Championship in Baltimore, Maryland;

Whereas this title represents the ninth National Championship for the Syracuse University men’s lacrosse program, and the third NCAA Division I title for the men’s lacrosse team in the past 5 years;

Whereas on May 31, 2004, the Orange men’s lacrosse team defeated the Midshipmen of the United States Naval Academy by a score of 14 to 13;

Whereas the Orange were led by Michael Powell, a senior from Carthage, New York, who was voted Most Outstanding Competitor in the 2004 NCAA Division I men’s lacrosse tournament;

Whereas Michael Powell completed his remarkable career as the leading scorer in the history of the Syracuse University men’s lacrosse program by scoring the final and winning goal of the National Championship;

Whereas the Orange were supported in their title run by outstanding efforts from the entire team, including
seniors Dan DiPietro, Nick Donatelli, Kevin Dougherty, Sean Lindsay, Brian Nee, and Alex Zink;

Whereas the Orange men’s lacrosse head coach John Desko, a former All-American Defenseman and a member of the Orange lacrosse community since 1976, has led the Orange men’s lacrosse team to 3 NCAA Division I titles since 1999;

Whereas the outstanding Orange men’s lacrosse assistant coaches Roy Simmons III, Kevin Donahue, and Ryan Powell complement the strong leadership of head coach John Desko and deserve enormous credit for continuing the tradition of excellence in lacrosse at Syracuse University; and

Whereas the students, alumni, and staff of Syracuse University and the fans of Syracuse lacrosse should be congratulated for their longstanding commitment to and pride in the Orange men’s lacrosse team: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Senate-
(1) congratulates the Syracuse University Orange men’s lacrosse team for winning the 2004 NCAA Division I men’s lacrosse National Championship;
(2) recognizes the achievements of all of the team’s players, coaches, and support staff, and invites them to the United States Capitol Building to be honored; and
(3) directs the Secretary of the Senate to make available an enrolled copy of this resolution to Syracuse University for appropriate display.

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Congratulating the Le Moyne College Dolphins men’s lacrosse team on winning the 2004 NCAA Division II men’s lacrosse National Championship.

Whereas on May 30, 2004, the Le Moyne College Dolphins men’s lacrosse team won the National Collegiate Athletic Association (‘‘NCAA’’) Division II National Championship; Whereas the Le Moyne College men’s lacrosse team defeated Limestone College 11 to 10 in double overtime, with a game winning goal by junior attackman Brandon Spillett; Whereas the NCAA Division II men’s lacrosse title is the first National Championship won by any Le Moyne College athletic program in the history of the college;

Whereas Brandon Spillett scored 7 goals in the National Championship game and was named Most Outstanding Player in the NCAA Division II men’s lacrosse championship game;

Whereas Dan Sheehan, head coach of the Le Moyne College men’s lacrosse team, has been named Northeast 10 Conference Coach of the Year for the fourth consecutive season;

Whereas Coach Dan Sheehan, assisted by Brian Datellas, Kevin Michaud, and Bradley Carr, was the first head
coach in the history of Le Moyne College lacrosse to earn a berth in the NCAA Division II men’s lacrosse tournament;

Whereas the Dolphins were supported in their title run by outstanding efforts from the entire team, including seniors Travis Morgia, Corey Sullivan, Adam Carne, Rob Trowbridge, Pat Hooks, Chris Geng, Joel Dorchester, Justin Wnuk, and Dan Holdridge; and

Whereas the students, staff, alumni and friends of the Le Moyne College men’s lacrosse team deserve much credit for their long-time dedication and loyalty to the building of a legacy for the Le Moyne Dolphins men’s lacrosse team. Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Senate-
(1) congratulates the Le Moyne College men’s lacrosse team for winning the 2004 NCAA Division
II National Championship;
(2) recognizes the achievements of the players, coaches, and support staff of the team and invites
them to the United States Capitol Building to be honored; and
(3) directs the Secretary of the Senate to make available an enrolled copy of this resolution to Le
Moyne College for appropriate display.

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