U.S. Senators Recognize Ashland University’s Women’s Basketball National Championship

U.S. Senators Rob Portman (R-OH) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH), today introduced a resolution in the Senate recognizing the athletic achievement of the Ashland University’s 2017 women’s basketball team, which won the 2017 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II Women’s Basketball Championship. This is the second division II national championship for Ashland University’s women’s basketball team in the last five years.

“Ohio is home to some of the best basketball teams in the country and we are proud to have Ashland’s women’s team leading Division II basketball,” Portman stated. “Congratulations to Coach Fralick and the Eagles on capping their undefeated, record-setting season with another championship.”

“By winning the national championship, Ashland secured the perfect ending to their historic season,” said Brown. “With two NCAA Division II championships in the last five years, I look forward to the Eagles continuing their tradition of excellence for years to come. Congratulations to the coaches, players, and the university on a job well done.” 

Full text of the resolution is below.

Congratulating the Ashland University women's basketball team for winning the 2017 National Collegiate Athletic Association division II championship.

Whereas the Ashland University Eagles won the 2017 National Collegiate Athletic Association (referred to in this preamble as the “NCAA”) division II women’s basketball championship game against the Virginia Union University Panthers at Alumni Hall on the campus of Ohio Dominican University by a score of 93 to 77;

Whereas, with a record of 37-0, the Ashland University Eagles achieved the best record ever by a NCAA division II women’s team;

Whereas the 2017 NCAA championship was the second division II national championship for Ashland University during the last 5 years;

Whereas head coach Robyn Fralick was named the 2017 United States Marine Corps Women’s Basketball Coaches Association NCAA Division II Coach of the Year;

Whereas assistant coach Kari Pickens was named the 2017 Women’s Basketball Coaches Association NCAA Division II Assistant Coach of the Year;

Whereas junior forwards Laina Snyder and Andi Daugherty were named Division II Conference Commissioner’s Association All-Americans; 

andWhereas Laina Snyder was named the Most Outstanding Player of the NCAA division II women’s basketball tournament: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Senate—

(1) congratulates the Ashland University women’s basketball team on winning the 2017 National Collegiate Athletic Association division II championship; and

(2) recognizes the contributions and achievements of each player, coach, and staff member of the Ashland University women’s basketball team who contributed to the 2016–2017 undefeated season.