WASHINGTON—U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced their resolution celebrating the Minnesota State University, Mankato Women’s and Men’s basketball teams’ winning the 2024 NCAA Division II Basketball National Championships passed the Senate. U.S. Representative Brad Finstad (R-MN) led companion legislation in the House of Representatives.
“One school, two national championships, and a chapter in the Minnesota sports history books,” said Klobuchar. “This resolution recognizes the hard work and incredible accomplishments of the Mankato Maverick Basketball teams during the 2024 season. Congratulations to the players, coaches, staff, administrators and fans on a great season!”
“I am so proud to see both of Minnesota State University, Mankato’s basketball programs bring home the Division II trophies,” said Smith. “These student-athletes dedicate countless hours to become the best at what they do, and it is wonderful to see their hard work paying off on the national stage.”
“Congratulations to both the women’s and men’s basketball teams at Minnesota State University, Mankato, who have embodied southern Minnesota through their perseverance, dedication, and teamwork,” said Finstad. “To celebrate this achievement, I am honored to introduce this resolution congratulating both teams on behalf of our community in Minnesota’s First District.”
Full text of the resolution is available HERE and below:
Whereas, on March 29, 2024, the Minnesota State University, Mankato women’s basketball team (referred to in this preamble as the “women’s basketball team”) won the 2024 National Collegiate Athletic Association (referred to in this preamble as the “NCAA”) Division II women’s basketball national championship game against the Texas Woman’s University Pioneers by a score of 89 to 73;
Whereas the women’s basketball team, the number 5 seed in the tournament, claimed its first national championship since 2009, when the program won its only other national title;
Whereas sophomore Natalie Bremer, from Lake City, Minnesota—
(1) led the offense of the women’s basketball team with 27 points, hitting 9 of 17 shots from the field, 3 of 4 shots from beyond the arc, and 6 of 6 shots at the free throw line;
(2) was named the NCAA Elite Eight Most Outstanding Player with an average of 23.3 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 3.6 steals per game, shooting 50.9 percent from the field; and
(3) became the 26th member of the Minnesota State 1,000 Point Club by scoring 29 points in the national semifinal game against California State University San Marcos;
Whereas senior Joey Batt, from New Ulm, Minnesota—
(1) was honored as an NCAA Central Region Tournament Most Valuable Player, with an average of 18.3 points, 4 assists, and 3 steals per game;
(2) was named to the NCAA Elite Eight team after averaging 14.6 points, 4.6 assists, and 3 steals per game at the NCAA Elite Eight;
(3) led the women’s basketball team in scoring, averaging 16 points per game and shooting 44.5 percent from the field and 36 percent from 3-point range;
(4) led the women’s basketball team in steals with 117 steals;
(5) finished second on the women’s basketball team in assists with 104 assists;
(6) was named a Women’s Basketball Coaches Association All-American;
(7) was named to the Division II Conference Commissioners Association All-American Third Team; and
(8) was named the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Defensive Player of the Year;
Whereas Head Coach Emilee Thiesse—
(1) led the women’s basketball team to an overall record of 32 wins and only 5 losses in the 2023–2024 season;
(2) finished the 2023–2024 season on an 11-game winning streak; and
(3) was named the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Coach of the Year;
Whereas the NCAA Division II women’s basketball national runner-up, Texas Women’s University, finished the 2023–2024 season with 34 wins and only 5 losses;
Whereas, on March 30, 2024, the Minnesota State University, Mankato men’s basketball team (referred to in this preamble as the “men’s basketball team”) won the 2024 NCAA Division II men’s basketball national championship game against Nova Southeastern University by a score of 88 to 85;
Whereas junior guard Kyreese Willingham hit a game-winning 3-point shot from the corner with 0.8 seconds on the clock off of a pass from his brother, senior guard Malik Willingham;
Whereas senior forward Dylan Peeters—
(1) led the men’s basketball team with 19 points; and
(2) made 9 of 10 shots from the field;
Whereas Malik Willingham, from Waseca, Minnesota—
(1) was named the NCAA Elite Eight Most Outstanding Player;
(2) averaged 17.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 5 assists per game in the tournament; and
(3) finished his career as the third leading scorer in Minnesota State University history;
Whereas Kyreese Willingham, from Waseca, Minnesota—
(1) was named the Most Valuable Player of the NCAA Central Region Tournament, posting 17 points and 6.7 rebounds per game while shooting 61.3 percent from the field; and
(2) was named to the NCAA Elite Eight All-Tournament Team, recording 14 points and 4 rebounds per game;
Whereas, in his 23rd season as head coach, Coach Matt Margenthaler—
(1) guided the men’s basketball team to a season of 35 wins and 2 losses;
(2) guided the men’s basketball team to their first NCAA Division II Championship in program history;
(3) was named the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Coach of the Year; and
(4) was named the National Association of Basketball Coaches Division II Coach of the Year;
Whereas the men’s basketball team finished the 2023–2024 season ranked second in attendance in Division II of the NCAA; and
Whereas the NCAA Division II men’s basketball national runner-up, Nova Southeastern University, finished with a record of 32 wins and 3 losses 1 year after winning the Division II Men’s Basketball National Championship:
Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate—
(1) commends the Minnesota State University, Mankato women’s basketball team for its victory in the 2024 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division II women’s basketball national championship game;
(2) recognizes the dedication, perseverance, togetherness, and hard work of the players, coaches, students, alumni, fans, administration, and support staff that directly contributed to the victory of the Minnesota State University women’s basketball team in the 2024 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division II women’s basketball national championship game;
(3) commends Texas Women’s University on a great season as the Division II women’s basketball national runner-up;
(4) commends the Minnesota State University, Mankato men’s basketball team for its victory in the 2024 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division II men’s basketball national championship game;
(5) recognizes the dedication, perseverance, togetherness, and hard work of the players, coaches, students, alumni, fans, administration, and support staff that directly contributed to the victory of the Minnesota State University men’s basketball team in the 2024 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division II men’s basketball national championship game; and
(6) commends Nova Southeastern University on a great season as the Division II men’s basketball national runner-up.
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