SJR 14

SJR14 189552-1 By Senators Dial, Holley, Albritton, Allen, Beasley, Blackwell, Brewbaker, Bussman, Chambliss, Coleman-Madison, Dunn, Figures, Glover, Hightower, Holtzclaw, Livingston, Marsh, McClendon, Melson, Orr, Pittman, Reed, Sanders, Sanford, Scofield, Shelnutt, Singleton, Smith, Smitherman, Stutts, Waggoner, Ward, Whatley and Williams RFD: First Read: 11-JAN-18 189552-1:n:01/09/2017:AR/ar LSA2018-161 COMMENDING TROY UNIVERSITY FOOTBALL AND COACH NEAL BROWN. WHEREAS, Troy University began intercollegiate football competition in 1990, with its rich history including an NAIA National Championship in 1968 and NCAA Division II National Champions in 1984 and 1987, ultimately ascending to the highest level of NCAA competition, Division 1-A (FBS), in 2001; and WHEREAS, the 2017 Troy University Football Team, coached by Mr. Neal Brown, won its record sixth Sun Belt Conference football title and compiled the most successful record at the FBS level in program history, with an 11-2 record; and WHEREAS, season highlights include six wins over teams to reach bowl games, including a 24-21 defeat of then 22nd ranked Louisiana State University on September 30 ending LSU's 49-game home nonconference winning streak; and WHEREAS, the Troy Trojans set an R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl record with 50 points in its victory over the University of North Texas on December 16, as the Sun Belt Conference complied a 4-1 record in 2017 bowl games; and WHEREAS, Coach Brown's Trojan teams have won 22 of 27 games dating back to the 2015 season, including a current seven-game winning streak, which is the fourth longest in the nation, thus establishing a program of both excellence and consistency; and WHEREAS, Coach Brown was named the Sun Belt Conference Coach of the Year for 2017, joining 17 other Trojans who earned post-season all-conference honors; now therefore, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA, That the Troy University Trojans Football Team and Coach Neal Brown and his staff are commended for bringing honor to the State of Alabama through its outstanding, record-breaking season as part of Coach Brown's program to "Rebuild the Wall."