Mount Union Football Team
MOUNT UNION FOOTBALL TEAM
Mr. DEWINE. Mr. President, I rise today to congratulate the Mount Union Purple Raiders football team, from Alliance, OH, on a number of outstanding achievements. The Purple Raiders recently won the Division III National Championship for the sixth time in 7 years. Maintaining a perfect record of 14 victories this season, Mount Union's team is 109 and 1 in the last 11 regular seasons, and since 1990 the Raiders have won an incredible 162 out of 170 games.
I congratulate these fine young athletes on yet another championship season and would like to recognize Raiders' coach Larry Kehres for his dedication and commitment to the school and the team. He has just been named the AFCA Division III National Coach of the Year, making him the first coach to win seven National Coach of the Year Awards. This is an unprecedented accomplishment, and I congratulate Coach Kehres and wish him and the Purple Raiders all the best for next season and many more after that.
While their execution of the split-back offense is flawless, it is Mount Union's academic performance that is truly remarkable. The football team has graduated a near-perfect percentage of players in the last 17 seasons. I applaud the Purple Raider players who exceed all expectations on the gridiron, as well as in the classroom.
For the local residents of Alliance and the students of Mount Union, there is so much to be proud of when it comes to the Purple Raiders. As the fans crowd into the oldest college football stadium in Ohio every fall, they are not only cheering for the heroes of the Purple Raiders, but also for future heroes, future leaders who will have learned the valuable lessons that come with a solid education and a demanding athletic routine. These experiences will aid them in making a positive impact many years from now.
Again, I congratulate head coach Larry Kehres and his Purple Raiders on another perfect championship season. They are a shining example of true student-athletes.
I ask that the names of the Mount Union College Purple Raiders football team coaching staff and players be listed at the conclusion of my remarks.