Jan. 23, 2002
SAN JOSE, Calif. - The 2001 Santa Clara University women's soccer national championship team was honored by the San Jose City Council last night during the Council's semimonthly meeting.
"It's a wonderful evening for us to have a chance to brag again about some of the outstanding youngsters we have living in Santa Clara County," Councilmember Pat Dando said. "It's my pleasure to recognize Santa Clara University's women's soccer team. They won an outstanding game not too long ago. You can't ask for anything better."
Santa Clara Director of Athletics Cheryl L. Levick received a plaque on behalf of the title-winning squad. Dando read the commendation as follows:
Wheras: The Santa Clara University Women's Soccer team won the 2001 NCAA Championship, beating the 16-time winner North Carolina to finish the season with a record of 23 wins and 2 losses and they ended the undefeated seasons of five top-ranked teams.
Whereas: This impressive achievement has helped distinguish San Jose and the entire South Bay Area for excellence in the sport of soccer. The Broncos join the San Jose Earthquakes and CyberRays in bringing home a championship.
Whereas: While balancing the rigors of academic life and the drive to the National Championship, the players and coaches also found time to support local charities and community service organizations.
Now therefore I, Ron Gonzales, Mayor of the City of San Jose, together with Councilmember Pat Dando, along with our colleagues on the city Council, on this 22nd day of January, 2002, do hereby commend and congratulate The Santa Clara University Women's Soccer Team for winning the 2001 NCAA Championship.
"On behalf of the entire University, I want to thank you for this incredible commendation," Levick told the over-capacity crowd. "The women had a season second to none and brought home the first NCAA title in 150 years won by a women's team at Santa Clara. I'm very proud."
As the players received individual certificates, San Jose Mayor Ron Gonzales admired the height of the squad, saying to the crowd afterward, "When I played soccer, the players were so much shorter."
"Our team had a truly amazing season, knocking off so many teams along the way, and to beat the perennial national power North Carolina in the title game... it couldn't have ended any better for us," head coach Jerry Smith said. "I couldn't be any more proud of this group of women. They have performed admirably in the classroom and on the field and deserve all the recognition they get tonight. Thank you Mayor Ron Gonzales and the rest of the City Council for taking the time to let us share our championship with the city."
The Broncos will also be honored by the Santa Clara City Council at its next meeting, Feb. 5 at 7 p.m. Additionally, the SCU athletic department will honor the squad during halftime at the men's basketball game on Saturday, Jan. 26, against Loyola Marymount. Tip-off is slated for 3 p.m. with players and coaches available for autographs and photos afterward. Information on the team's banquet, scheduled for Friday, Feb. 15, will be announced online soon.