Wednesday, April 8, 1998
By REBECCA NOLAN
Enterprise staff writer
WOODLAND -- The latest in a seemingly endless stream of accolades bestowed upon the UC Davis men's basketball team came at Tuesday's Yolo County Board of Supervisors meeting.
The county's own ``team of five'' congratulated the 1997-98 team for its victory last month in the NCAA Division II National Championship game with an official resolution that will immortalize the players in county history.
A handful of players and assistant coaches accepted the resolution, presented after a standing ovation from the audience gathered in board chambers.
``It's amazing to think that in every game you played, you were the underdogs,'' said supervisor Dave Rosenberg, former Davis mayor. ``Those are the best wins.
``You have a lot of fans here in Yolo County who are very, very proud of you.''
Davis native Kevin Nosek said the commendation was ``especially sweet'' because he was able to represent his home town to the nation.
For J.P. Bergez, a fifth-year senior, the timing of the championship and its subsequent honors are a perfect sent-off.
``I couldn't ask for a better way out,'' he said. ``Us players, we really appreciate everyone coming out, especially the little guys.''
While Bergez regards the win as a fond farewell, first-year assistant coach Trevor Shickman said it was a great welcome to UCD. And volunteer assistant coach Duane Kouba, a lecturer at UCD, said he has become something of a celebrity in the math department.
Top assistant Brian Fogel brought championship T-shirts for each of the five supervisors, and Supervisor Tom Stallard said he would wear his with pride.
Rosenberg promised every player and coach a copy of the resolution, prompting Oakley to joke, ``If your report cards aren't really good, you can show that to your folks.''
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