2014 -- H 7967

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2014

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

CONGRATULATING THE 2013-2014 PROVIDENCE COLLEGE MEN’S BASKETBALL

TEAM ON WINNING THE 2014 BIG EAST CONFERENCE MEN’S BASKETBALL

TOURNAMENT, AND WISHING THEM CONTINUED SUCCESS IN THE 2014 NCAA

BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT

     Introduced By: Representatives Hull, Amore, DeSimone, Mattiello, and Fox

     Date Introduced: March 20, 2014

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, Providence College entered the 2014 Big East Tournament with a 20-11

regular season record, tied for third place in the Big East regular season standings, and knowing

they had to make a deep run in the Big East Tournament, and maybe even win it, to gain a berth

in the NCAA Tournament; and

     WHEREAS, Providence College was led all season by the steady demeanor and

respected leadership provided by Head Coach Ed Cooley, and the magnificent play provided by

star guard Bryce Cotton, who turned in one of the greatest seasons in the storied history of

Providence College Basketball. Cotton led Providence College in most scoring categories, and

assists, and was a unanimous All-Big East First Team selection. Additionally, Cotton was named

a Second-Team National All-American, and he was named the Most Valuable Player of the 2014

Big East Conference Tournament; and

     WHEREAS, Providence College also benefited all season by the tough inside play,

rebounding and leadership provided by Kadeem Batts, the solid all-round play contributed by

LaDontae Henton, and the supplementary support offered by Tyler Harris, Josh Fortune, and

Carson Desrosiers; and

     WHEREAS, The 2013-2014 Providence College Friars entered the 2014 Conference

Tournament of the newly reconfigured Big East Conference hungry, determined, and desperate

for wins. They ended up turning the Tournament into a Madison Square Garden Friar party. After

beating St John's in a hard fought first round game, they defeated Seton Hall in the Semi-Finals.

In a thrilling championship game, Providence College, led by Bryce Cotton's 23 points, held off a

furious Creighton rally, and their All-American and Player of the Year candidate, Doug

McDermott, to win the 2014 Big East Championship Tournament and secure a berth in the 2014

NCAA Tournament; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

Providence Plantations hereby congratulates the 2013-2014 Providence College Men's Basketball

Team on winning the 2014 Big East Conference Basketball Tournament, and wishes them

continued success in the 2014 NCAA Basketball Tournament; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Providence College Men's Basketball Head

Coach, Ed Cooley.

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