HJ265: Commending the Old Dominion University Monarchs football team.
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WHEREAS, after 69 years the Old Dominion University Monarchs successfully resumed participation in intercollegiate football, playing at the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) level, with kickoff on September 5, 2009; and
WHEREAS, led by Head Coach Bobby Wilder, the Monarchs triumphed with a 9 - 2 final record, the most wins ever by a first year FCS program, which included a six-game winning streak to end the season; as a first-year program, Old Dominion University (ODU) received votes to be included in the top 25 FCS teams in the country; and
WHEREAS, ODU punter Jonathan Plisco, the top FCS punter in the nation, and long snapper Dustin Phillips each earned All-American status; and
WHEREAS, in the Monarchs' inaugural campaign, Edmon McClam set an NCAA Division I record and the FCS record for most blocked extra points (PATs) by a single player, by blocking five PATs in a season; and
WHEREAS, quarterback Thomas DeMarco led the Monarchs to a 10th place ranking among all FCS schools in rushing offense, was the second leading quarterback rusher in the FCS, and ranked seventh among FCS student-athletes in scoring average; and
WHEREAS, ODU kicker Drew Hareza tied the FCS record for booting five field goals in a half during the season-opening victory versus Chowan College; and
WHEREAS, the Monarchs? offensive coordinator Brian Scott was one of three finalists for FCS Coordinator of the Year, and under Coach Scott's leadership, the ODU squad finished third nationally in scoring offense, averaging 35 points per contest, and 18th nationally in total offense, averaging just under 400 yards per game; and
WHEREAS, the Monarchs ranked second nationally in sacks allowed, ranked ninth among all FCS schools in fewest turnovers this year with 14, and scored 28 touchdowns in 39 red zone opportunities; and
WHEREAS, the team was enthusiastically supported by university sponsors and donors in the City of Norfolk and the Hampton Roads region; and
WHEREAS, the Monarchs? fans, commonly called the "12th Monarch," helped sell out all seven home games this year in Ballard Stadium, which holds nearly 20,000 fans, and earned a national attendance ranking of five out of 126 teams in the FCS; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend and congratulate Old Dominion University, President John Broderick, Head Coach Bobby Wilder, Athletic Director Jim Jarrett, and the 2009 Monarchs football team on its highly successful return to intercollegiate football; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to President John Broderick and Head Coach Bobby Wilder as an expression of the General Assembly's support and admiration for the outstanding performance of the 2009 Old Dominion University Monarchs football team.
Patrons-- Cosgrove, Alexander, BaCote, Gear, Howell, A.T., Iaquinto, James, Janis, Joannou, Jones, Knight, Lewis, Lingamfelter, Miller, P.J., Oder, Purkey, Spruill, Stolle, Tata, Villanueva and Ward
WHEREAS, after 69 years the Old Dominion University Monarchs successfully resumed participation in intercollegiate football, playing at the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) level, with kickoff on September 5, 2009; and
WHEREAS, led by Head Coach Bobby Wilder, the Monarchs triumphed with a 9 - 2 final record, the most wins ever by a first year FCS program, which included a six-game winning streak to end the season; as a first-year program, Old Dominion University (ODU) received votes to be included in the top 25 FCS teams in the country; and
WHEREAS, ODU punter Jonathan Plisco, the top FCS punter in the nation, and long snapper Dustin Phillips each earned All-American status; and
WHEREAS, in the Monarchs' inaugural campaign, Edmon McClam set an NCAA Division I record and the FCS record for most blocked extra points (PATs) by a single player, by blocking five PATs in a season; and
WHEREAS, Quarterback Thomas DeMarco led the Monarchs to be ranked 10th among all FCS schools in rushing offense, was the second leading quarterback rusher in the FCS, and ranked seventh among FCS student-athletes in scoring average; and
WHEREAS, ODU kicker Drew Hareza tied the FCS record for booting five field goals in a half during the season-opening victory versus Chowan College; and
WHEREAS, the Monarch's offensive coordinator Brian Scott was one of three finalists for FCS Coordinator of the Year, and under Coach Scott's leadership the ODU squad finished third nationally in scoring offense, averaging 35 points per contest, and 18th nationally in total offense, averaging just under 400 yards per game; and
WHEREAS, the Monarchs ranked second nationally in sacks allowed, ranked ninth among all FCS schools in fewest turnovers this year with 14, and scored 28 touchdowns in 39 red zone opportunities; and
WHEREAS, the team was enthusiastically supported by university sponsors and donors in the city of Norfolk and the Hampton Roads region; and
WHEREAS, the Monarch fans, commonly called the "12th Monarchs," helped sell out all seven home games this year in Ballard Stadium, which holds nearly 20,000 fans, and earned a national attendance ranking of five out of 126 teams in the FCS; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend and congratulate Old Dominion University, President John Broderick, Head Coach Bobby Wilder, Athletic Director Jim Jarrett, and the 2009 Monarchs football team on its highly successful return to intercollegiate football; and be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to President John Broderick and Head Coach Bobby Wilder as an expression of the General Assembly's support and admiration for the outstanding performance of the 2009 Old Dominion University Monarchs football team.
