|
REGULAR MEETING March 26, 2018
<br /> Common Council also wishes to acknowledge the valuable contributions of the other members of
<br /> the team: Trevor Fortune; Braylon Giden; Jalen Jennings; Gabe Johnson;Jathen Spicer; and Blake
<br /> Wesley, whose posters will someday hang from that same balcony; and, Whereas, this fine group
<br /> of athletes was led throughout the season by Head Coach Eric Brand, JV Coach George Jones,Jr.,
<br /> Freshman Coach Andre Owens, Sr., Assistant Coach Landon Booker, and Administrator Rodney
<br /> Jennings; and,
<br /> Councilmember Oliver Davis stated,Whereas,because the success of the team in going undefeated
<br /> in the regular season and winning sectional and regional championships was a complete team
<br /> effort, it bears mentioning that the team also contributed in making Damezi Anderson St. Joseph
<br /> County's all-time leading scorer when the team won seventy-five (75) to sixty-eight (68) over
<br /> Elkhart Memorial in the Class 4A Regional Championship game, where he scored eighteen (18)
<br /> points, thereby breaking the former record of 1,934 points, set in 2013. Now, Therefore, be it
<br /> resolved,by the Common Council of the City of South Bend, Indiana, as follows: Section One (1)
<br /> On behalf of the citizens of South Bend and the South Bend Common Council, we proudly and
<br /> publicly recognize the 2017-2018 South Bend Riley High School Wildcats Boys' Basketball Team
<br /> for its undefeated regular season,sectional championship and regional championship. Section Two
<br /> (2) The South Bend Common Council also recognizes the seniors on this historic, record-setting
<br /> team as the fine athletes they are, and wish them all continued success in the future, both on and
<br /> off the basketball court, where they can continue to do great things throughout their entire lives,
<br /> motivated by the experiences and success they have had this season. Section Three (3) We also
<br /> remind the other members of the team of the high expectations passed down to them by the seniors,
<br /> with the knowledge that they will continue to make the City of South Bend proud of Riley High
<br /> School. Section Four(4)This Resolution shall be in full force and effect from and after its adoption
<br /> by the Common Council and approval by the Mayor.
<br /> Eric Brand, 1902 Fellows Street, South Bend, IN, stated, I just want to say that they are a very
<br /> special group of young men. They worked hard and went through a lot of adversity and I am very
<br /> proud of them. Aside from what we did on the basketball court, we did all kinds of community
<br /> service. We were part of the food drive over in Granger,we went to the Ronald McDonald House,
<br /> we went to the Homeless Shelter, and these young men did more than just basketball. They
<br /> represented Riley and the community in many ways.
<br /> Seabe Gavin, 324 Rue Rabelais, South Bend, IN, stated, Being just nine (9) months on the job as
<br /> the District Director of Athletics of South Bend, it is a blessing to be able to walk into a situation
<br /> that is such a successful basketball team. They pulled off twenty-six (26)wins in a row. That is an
<br /> achievement of itself. My first hire was Coach Brand. When we hired Coach Brand,we asked him
<br /> to set a standard not at Riley but in this community; for every team and every school, student-
<br /> athletes, no matter what sport or challenges they face, meet those challenges. Going into the
<br /> season, this team had an overall GPA of over three point zero (3.0). That is what we are really
<br /> proud of. I expect to make this trip again but next time, go a little further.
<br /> Marlon Taylor, 52342 Millpond Run Court, Granger, IN, stated, I just want to thank Coach Brand
<br /> for being my coach this year and all those that supported us. This is a blessing and I feel like I'm
<br /> receiving an Oscar Award so thank you very much.
<br /> Andre Owens, 2205 Morris Street, South Bend, IN, stated,I wanted to say something to follow up
<br /> on something Mr. Gavin had spoken to. He kind of said what I wanted to say. I'm a former player
<br /> at Riley and also went to semi-state in 1991. I was also able to go off to college and went through
<br /> some trials and tribulations and eventually became Division One (1) at Oklahoma State. A lot of
<br /> times we get caught up in the moment, the basketball and sports, and often overlook the bigger
<br /> picture and what these guys represent. For me and from my experience of being with them this
<br /> fir,they really represent the word student-athlete. I think a lot of times we overlook that because
<br /> we get caught up in the hoopla. These guys really represented not just Riley and not just the
<br /> community, but they represented their families and the entire City of South Bend with class and
<br /> grace. Like Mr. Gavin said, a three point zero (3.0) GPA. That is something we don't talk about
<br /> enough. That is what I am most proud of.They represent their families well. They are a good group
<br /> of young men and that is what I'm most proud of. I know how the struggle is to be a student-
<br /> athlete. There is a lot of pressure to it and they handled it well. Thank you, Coach Brand, for
<br /> 2
<br />
|