[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E728]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CONGRATULATING THE CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, NORTHRIDGE BASKETBALL 
                                  TEAM

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. BRAD SHERMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 18, 2009

  Mr. SHERMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the 
California State University, Northridge (CSUN) men's basketball team 
for winning the Big West Conference title and earning a spot in the 
prestigious NCAA Tournament for the second time in its NCAA Division I 
history.
  The Matadors reached this year's tournament by winning a hard-fought 
Big West Conference title game against University of the Pacific. The 
Matadors amassed an impressive 17-13 overall record and 11-5 conference 
record. CSUN led all team categories in the Big West Conference in 
scoring, rebounding, field goal percentage defense, 3-point field goal 
percentage defense, rebound margin, and steals.
  The Matadors men's basketball team is led by head coach Bobby 
Braswell, Big West Coach of the Year for a second straight season. He 
is assisted by a talented and skilled coaching staff including Danny 
Sprinkle, James Blake, Ryan Dodd, Steve Grech, Bob Vazquez and Louis 
Wilson.
  CSUN is a vibrant, diverse university community of nearly 34,000 
students and more than 4,000 faculty and staff, sited on a 356-acre 
campus in the heart of Los Angeles' San Fernando Valley--a region of 
over 1.8 million people.
  CSUN was founded in 1958 as San Fernando Valley State College and 
adopted its current name in 1972. Today, it is one of the largest 
universities in California.
  Madam Speaker, I wish to congratulate the Matadors for winning the 
Big West Conference title and earning a berth in the NCAA Tournament. I 
am proud of their sportsmanship, athletic excellence, and winning 
spirit during the regular season, and I wish them all the luck in the 
NCAA Tournament.

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