SJ5068: Commending the University of Virginia baseball team.

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 5068

Offered September 11, 2014
Commending the University of Virginia baseball team.

Patrons-- Deeds, Barker, Ebbin, Edwards, Favola, Hanger, Howell, Locke, Lucas, Marsden, Martin, McEachin, McWaters, Norment, Petersen, Puller, Reeves, Ruff, Saslaw, Stanley, Stosch, Stuart, Wagner, Watkins and Wexton; Delegates: Albo, Austin, Bell, Richard P., Bell, Robert B., Bulova, Campbell, Carr, Cole, Davis, DeSteph, Farrell, Fowler, Greason, Hope, Howell, W.J., Joannou, Jones, Keam, Kory, Krupicka, Landes, LaRock, Leftwich, Lopez, Loupassi, Massie, McQuinn, Minchew, Morrissey, Plum, Rasoul, Rust, Scott, Simon, Spruill, Surovell, Toscano, Tyler, Ware, Watts and Wright

WHEREAS, the 2014 University of Virginia baseball team finished the season with an impressive 53 - 16 record and advanced to the NCAA College World Series final for the first time in the team’s history; and

WHEREAS, making their 11th consecutive NCAA tournament appearance, the three-seed University of Virginia Cavaliers won regional and super regional series to earn a College World Series berth for the third time in six seasons; and

WHEREAS, the University of Virginia Cavaliers set a record for the second-most wins in school history; the team was ranked second in the nation with a 2.23 team ERA and fourth in the nation with a .981 fielding percentage; and

WHEREAS, in recognition of his outstanding leadership, University of Virginia baseball team Head Coach Brian O’Connor was named the Atlantic Region Coach of the Year by the American Baseball Coaches Association for the third time in his career; and

WHEREAS, four of the University of Virginia Cavaliers were named to the 2014 All-ACC Academic Baseball Team, and eight players were selected in the 2014 Major League Baseball Draft, including three players in the first round; and

WHEREAS, during the 2014 season, the University of Virginia baseball team inspired almost 150,000 students and fans to show their school spirit; with an average of more than 3,000 fans at each home game, the University of Virginia ranked 11th in the nation for total attendance and attendance per game; and

WHEREAS, the successful season is a testament to the hard work and talent of all of the players, the leadership of the coaches, managers, and staff, and the enthusiastic support of the entire University of Virginia community; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend the University of Virginia baseball team for reaching the NCAA College World Series final for the first time in program history; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Brian O’Connor, head coach of the University of Virginia baseball team, as an expression of the General Assembly’s admiration for the team’s achievements.