A JOINT RESOLUTION recognizing Appalachian State University's football team on winning its third straight national championship.
Whereas, on December 14, 2007, the Mountaineers won the 2007 National Collegiate Athletic Association's (NCAA) Division I Football Championship Subdivision (formerly Division I‑AA) title, defeating the University of Delaware by a score of 49‑21; and
Whereas, the Mountaineers victory earned the team its third straight national title, the first Division I Football Championship Subdivision team to achieve this honor; and
Whereas, the Mountaineers had an outstanding season beginning with its first game by upsetting nationally ranked No. 5, the University of Michigan, by a score of 34-32; and
Whereas, the Mountaineers' victory over the Wolverines secured them a place in college football history because they are the first Division I Football Championship Subdivision team to defeat a Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly Division I‑A) team that was ranked in the Associated Press college football poll; and
Whereas, the Mountaineers' triumph over the Wolverines influenced the Associated Press to change its 71‑year‑old policy of allowing only Football Bowl Subdivision teams to be eligible for its Top 25 Poll; and
Whereas, the Mountaineers ended their 2007 season as the co‑champions of the Southern Conference with an overall record of 13‑2; and
Whereas, the Mountaineers received five points in the final Associated Press Top 25 Poll, tying them for 34th place; and
Whereas, individual team honors and recognitions included several players named as all‑Americans by the College Sports Report, five players named to the Southern Conference TIAA‑CREF academic all‑conference team, and players selected as candidates for the 2007 Walter Payton Award and the 2007 Buck Buchanan Award; and
Whereas, head coach, Jerry Moore, in his 19th season at Appalachian State University, was named the 2007 NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision Coach of the Year, becoming the first Division I coach in the organization's 73‑year history to receive the honor three straight years; and
Whereas, Coach Moore also has the distinction of having the most number of wins of any coach in Southern Conference history with a record of 161‑70 while at Appalachian State University; and
Whereas, the success of the men's football program along with the many academic achievements of the student body is part of a long‑standing tradition of excellence at Appalachian State University; and
Whereas, these extraordinary accomplishments of the players and coaches of the men's football program bring great honor and distinction to the State of North Carolina and deserve recognition; and
Whereas, it is also fitting to recognize the Mountaineers' outstanding support base, which includes alumni and former athletes; and
Whereas, one of those supporters included Lester Hardin, a former Mountaineer who played for the football team between 1947 and 1952; and
Whereas, after graduating from Appalachian State University in 1952, Lester Hardin remained loyal to his alma mater, attending athletic activities and helping to raise funds for the athletic department; and
Whereas, for many years, Lester Hardin organized reunions of football players who played at Appalachian State University under coach C.E. Duggin; and
Whereas, Lester Hardin died on February 20, 2008, leaving the entire Appalachian State University community saddened by his death; Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:
SECTION 1.  The General Assembly expresses the appreciation and admiration of the people of North Carolina to the men's football team at Appalachian State University for winning the 2007 NCAA Division I National Football Championship and recognizes the achievements of the team members, head coach, assistant coaches, and other staff members.
SECTION 2.  The General Assembly honors the memory of Lester Hardin for his unwavering support of Appalachian State University and the University's athletic teams.
SECTION 3.  The Secretary of State shall transmit a copy of this resolution to Appalachian State University Chancellor Kenneth Peacock, Athletics Director Charlie Cobb, Head Football Coach Jerry Moore, and the family of Lester Hardin.
SECTION 4.  This resolution is effective upon ratification.