2022 -- H 7980

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LC005530

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2022

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

CONGRATULATING THE BRYANT UNIVERSITY MEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM ON

WINNING THE 2022 NORTHEAST CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP AND WISHING

THEM CONTINUED SUCCESS IN THE 2022 NCAA BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT

     Introduced By: Representatives Slater, Hawkins, Costantino, Edwards, Giraldo,
Solomon, Messier, Phillips, Shekarchi, and Blazejewski

     Date Introduced: March 15, 2022

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, The 2021-2022 Bryant University Bulldogs Men’s Basketball Team have

thus far compiled an outstanding record of 22-9 and finished in first place in the Northeast

Conference (NEC) regular season; and

     WHEREAS, The Bryant Bulldogs also claimed its first ever NEC Conference

Tournament Championship and earned a berth in the NCAA Tournament. In the conference

tournament, they easily dispatched Central Connecticut in the first round by fourteen points, but

in the second round they faced a severe challenge from Mount St. Mary’s before finally

prevailing by one point in a thrilling 70-69 victory. The Bulldogs then proceeded to arguably play

their best game of the season as they thrashed second-seeded Wagner in the championship game

by the score of 70-43; and

     WHEREAS, Bryant was led all season by its leading scorer, senior guard Peter Kiss, who

averaged 25 points per game and was named to the NEC All-Tournament Team, and chosen the

NEC Tournament MVP. Bryant also benefitted all season from the sterling leadership and

important contributions provided by senior forward Hal Elisias, also selected to the NEC All-

Tournament Team, junior guard Charles Pride, the leading rebounder on the team who averaged

18 points per game in scoring, senior guards Adam Eleeda and Luke Hurtado, Jr., as well as the

contributions provided by Erickson Bans, Tyler Brelsford, Greg Calixte, and the entire roster of

players; and

     WHEREAS, The Bryant Bulldogs were led all season by the superb leadership and

excellent coaching provided by Head Coach Jared Grasso, who in four short years has made the

basketball program into one of the best in New England. In recognition of the esteem in which

Coach Grasso is held by his peers within the college basketball universe, he was named the 2021

USBWA District I Coach of the Year; now, therefore be it

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

congratulates the Bryant University Men’s Basketball Team on winning the 2022 Northeast

Conference Tournament Championship, and wishes them continued success in the 2022 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 Mr. Jared Grasso, Head Men’s Basketball

Coach, Bryant University.

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