WHEREAS, The Washington State University Cougar football team
finished the 2003 season ranked ninth in the nation; and
WHEREAS, The Cougars became the first Pacific-10 Conference team
since 1931-1933 to win 10 games in three consecutive seasons, giving
them a 30-8 record during that period; and
WHEREAS, During the past three years, the team has the ninth best
winning record, 30-8, among major college football teams; and
WHEREAS, WSU defeated the fifth-ranked Texas Longhorns 28-20 in the
2003 Holiday Bowl with punter Kyle Basler winning defensive MVP and
receiver Sammy Moore winning offensive MVP honors; and
WHEREAS, Seventeen Cougar players were named to the All-Pac 10
team, including first team members Josh Parrish, Will Derting, Jason
David, Erik Coleman, and Drew Dunning; and
WHEREAS, WSU Head Coach Bill Doba was named Co-coach of the Year in
the prestigious Pacific-10 Conference; and
WHEREAS, Kicker Drew Dunning, who became WSU's all-time leading
scorer, was named a first team All-American; and
WHEREAS, Six Cougar players with grade point averages of 3.45 and
higher were named to the Pac-10 All-Academic First Team; and
WHEREAS, The WSU team finished in second place in the Pac-10 in
2003, giving it third place, first place, and second place finishes for
2001, 2002, and 2003; and
WHEREAS, The team led the nation in takeaways with 48; its 24
fumble recoveries led the nation and its 24 interceptions were second;
and
WHEREAS, Cougar players Erik Coleman, Jason David, D.D. Ancholonu,
Isaac Brown, Matt Kegel, Sammy Moore, Josh Parrish, Jeremey Williams,
and Drew Dunning were selected to play in postseason all star games;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State House of
Representatives congratulate the Washington State Cougar football
players and coaches on their third consecutive outstanding season; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be sent to
Washington State University President V. Lane Rawlins, head coach Bill
Doba, and captains of the team.