A house RESOLUTION

TO CONGRATULATE THE BENEDICT COLLEGE FOOTBALL TEAM AND COACHES FOR WINNING THE 2022 SOUTHERN INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETIC CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE, TO RECOGNIZE THE TEAM'S NUMEROUS ACCOMPLISHMENTS DURING THE SEASON, AND TO EXTEND BEST WISHES FOR CONTINUED SUCCESS IN THE DAYS TO COME.

Whereas, on Saturday, November 12, 2022, at Benedict's Charlie W. Johnson Stadium, the Benedict College football team climaxed a fabulous 2022 season by defeating the Tuskegee Golden Tigers 58-21 to earn its first Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) Championship; and

Whereas, on the way to that decisive 58-21 win, Benedict racked up a season-high 573 yards of total offense. Benedict quarterback Eric Phoenix threw for 313 yards and two touchdowns while also leading the Tigers with 91 yards rushing, with one touchdown on 11 carries. Further, Reginald Harden had an all-around game for the Tigers as he scored on a 25-yard fumble recovery in the first quarter after the Tuskegee punter fumbled the snap. He also had two catches for 51 yards; and

Whereas, Benedict came away from the title game bearing a record filled with firsts. Besides being the school's inaugural SIAC championship, it was the Tigers' first undefeated regular season (10-0) and their first time beating SIAC powerhouse Tuskegee in that game. In addition, it was Benedict's first time being nationally ranked: The team rose to #7 in all of Division II and finished #12 in the nation as ranked in the final poll of the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA). Finally, it was the Tigers' first time making and hosting a Division II playoff game, and they were the #1 seed in their division; and

Whereas, recognized as a Historically Black College or University (HBCU), Benedict also piled up an impressive stack of HBCU honors. The Tigers were named Division II HBCU National Champions by BoxToRow, Non Division I HBCU National Champions by Black College Sports Network, Division II/NAIA Black College National Champions by BlackCollegeNationalChampionship.com, and HBCU Mid-Major Division Football National Champions by Dr. Cavil's Inside the HBCU Huddle Report; and

Whereas, Benedict's Head Coach Chennis Berry fully utilized his own athletic prowess to build the championship football team that produced such a superb 2022 season. In so doing, he was ably supported by a fine staff of assistant coaches, including Jordan Odaffer, Kevin Saxton II, Kevin King, Connor Loper, Gary Howard, Rosco Byrd, Jr., Michael Styles, Jr., and Tristain Armstrong. Benedict staff also will be coaching for Team Robinson in the HBCU Legacy Bowl in New Orleans, Louisiana, with Coach Chennis Berry serving as one of the head coaches. Coach Berry also was named SIAC Coach of the Year and Super Region 2 Coach of the Year by the AFCA; and

Whereas, proud of these fine athletes, the House takes great pleasure in celebrating the Benedict College football team on their capture of the SIAC Championship. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, congratulate the Benedict College football team and coaches for winning the 2022 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championship title, recognize the team's numerous accomplishments during the season, and extend best wishes for continued success in the days to come.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to President Roslyn Clark Artis and Head Coach Chennis Berry of Benedict College.

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