By MADISON BLOOMQUIST/MURPHY NEWS SERVICE
Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken announced a Senate Resolution today to commemorate the Minnesota Lynx women’s basketball team’s third championship win in five years.
The Lynx is one of four teams to win three championships in WNBA history.
“For the third time in five years, the Minnesota Lynx have proven that they are the best of the best,” Franken said. “Minnesotans continue to be inspired by the hard work of the players, coaches, and staff, and I’m looking forward to watching them compete—and continue to dominate—for many seasons to come.”
The Senate Resolution also honors the team’s support from fans in the Twin Cities and the state of Minnesota.
The Lynx finished their regular season with a 22-12 record. They then beat the Los Angeles Sparks and the Phoenix Mercury in the Western Conference Semifinals and Western Conference Finals, respectively.
They defeated the Indiana Fever 69-52 in the WNBA Championship at home in Minneapolis on Wednesday, Oct. 14. Center Sylvia Fowles, new to the Lynx this year, was the Championship’s MVP. She led the team with 20 points and 11 rebounds.
The championship win did not go unnoticed.
Prince threw a private concert for the Lynx following the game. President Obama called the next day to congratulate them on their winning season.
Fans were not left out of the celebrations. The Lynx hosted a parade in downtown Minneapolis last Friday, which ended with a party for the players and fans at the Target Center.
The Senate Resolution is a way for the Minnesota government to recognize the team’s successes.
“All Minnesotans should be proud of the players, coaches, and staff whose hard work on and off the court has made them an unstoppable force in the league,” Klobuchar said.
The full text of the resolution is below:
Whereas, on October 14, 2015, the Minnesota Lynx won the 2015 Women’s National Basketball Association (commonly known as the “WNBA”) championship by beating the Indiana Fever 69 to 52 in game 5 at home in Minneapolis;
Whereas this is the third WNBA championship for the Minnesota Lynx in 5 years;
Whereas the Minnesota Lynx have competed in 4 out of the last 5 WNBA Finals;
Whereas the Minnesota Lynx finished the 2015 season with an impressive 22 wins;
Whereas the Minnesota Lynx beat the Los Angeles Sparks in the Western Conference Semifinals, swept the Phoenix Mercury in the Western Conference Finals, and decisively beat the Indiana Fever in the fifth game of the WNBA Finals;
Whereas a franchise record 18,933 fans attended the clinching game at the Target Center in Minneapolis to cheer on the Minnesota Lynx;
Whereas the Minnesota Lynx—
(1) benefit from stellar leadership from Head Coach Cheryl Reeve and Assistant Coaches Jim Petersen and Shelley Patterson;
(2) feature 5 gold medal-winning athletes, Lindsey Whalen, Maya Moore, Seimone Augustus, Asjha Jones, and Sylvia Fowles, the Finals MVP; and
(3) have on the roster highly talented professionals, including Rebekkah Brunson, Renee Montgomery, Anna Cruz, Shae Kelley, Tricia Liston, Kalana Greene, and Devereaux Peters;
Whereas the Minnesota Lynx are 1 of only 4 WNBA teams to win 3 or more WNBA championships; and
Whereas all 3 of the WNBA championships won by the Lynx have come under the coaching of Cheryl Reeve: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate recognizes—
(1) the achievements of the players, coaches, fans, and staff whose dedication helped the Minnesota Lynx win the 2015 WNBA championship; and
(2) the Twin Cities area and the State of Minnesota for enthusiastically supporting women’s professional basketball.
Reporter Madison Bloomquist is studying journalism at the University of Minnesota.