Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 40

Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 40-Assemblymen Von Tobel, Amodei, Anderson, Arberry, Bache, Berman, Braunlin, Buckley, Carpenter, Cegavske, Chowning, Close, Collins, de Braga, Dini, Ernaut, Evans, Freeman, Giunchigliani, Goldwater, Gustavson, Herrera, Hettrick, Hickey, Humke, Koivisto, Krenzer, Lambert, Lee, Manendo, Marvel, Mortenson, Neighbors, Nolan, Ohrenschall, Parks, Perkins, Price, Sandoval, Segerblom, Tiffany and Williams

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ASSEMBLY CONCURRENT RESOLUTION--Commending the 1997 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Tennis Champions, Luke Smith and Tim Blenkiron.

Whereas, The National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Tennis Championships are prestigious competitions and the winning of NCAA titles a highly coveted honor; and
Whereas, On May 25, 1997, Luke Smith, a senior at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, took home the NCAA Division I men's singles title, becoming the first unseeded player to win the title since 1991; and
Whereas, On the same day, Luke Smith and Tim Blenkiron, also a senior at UNLV, teamed up to win the NCAA Division I men's doubles title; and
Whereas, The outstanding coaching efforts of UNLV Tennis Coach Larry Easley helped to make these victories and the strong appearance of UNLV at the NCAA Championships possible; and
Whereas, Luke Smith is only the third UNLV men's tennis player to earn a position in the NCAA Championships and only the second to win a match in the competition; and
Whereas, Throughout the entire singles competition, Luke Smith did not lose a set; and
Whereas, Luke Smith obtained a rare double crown, claiming both the singles and doubles title in the same year, a feat accomplished only one other time in the past 20 years; and
Whereas, The team of Tim Blenkiron and Luke Smith was not seeded in the tournament and became the first unseeded NCAA doubles champion since 1989; and
Whereas, Over the 5 days of competition, Tim Blenkiron and Luke Smith lost only one set; and
Whereas, It was the first appearance by Tim Blenkiron in the NCAA Championships, and Luke Smith has been a part of every doubles team from UNLV to participate in the competition; and
Whereas, These victories earned UNLV its first NCAA tennis titles and are the fifth and sixth NCAA titles ever won by UNLV athletes; and
Whereas, Through these victories, both men have earned themselves automatic berths at the U.S. Open Tennis Tournament this August; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Assembly of the State of Nevada, the Senate Concurring, That the members of the 69th session of the Nevada Legislature do hereby commend Luke Smith and Tim Blenkiron for their fabulous victories at the 1997 NCAA Division I Tennis Championships; and be it further
Resolved, That the members of this body further recognize the strong coaching of UNLV Tennis Coach Larry Easley in the achievement of these victories; and be it further
Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly prepare and transmit a copy of this resolution to tennis champions Luke Smith and Tim Blenkiron and Coach Larry Easley.
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