April 30, 2026
Mr. Schiff (for himself and Mr. Padilla) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to
A resolution commending and congratulating the University of California, Los Angeles Bruins women’s basketball team for winning the 2026 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Women’s Basketball National Championship.
Whereas, on Sunday, April 5, 2026, the University of California, Los Angeles (referred to in this preamble as UCLA
) Bruins’ women’s basketball team (referred to in this preamble as the UCLA Bruins
or the Bruins
) won the National Collegiate Athletic Association (referred to in this preamble as the NCAA
) Division I Women’s Basketball National Championship (referred to in this preamble as the National Championship
) by defeating the University of South Carolina Gamecocks 79–51 at the Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, Arizona;
Whereas this is the UCLA Bruins’ first NCAA National Championship title in women’s basketball and second women’s basketball national championship title in program history;
Whereas the Bruins' win against South Carolina secured UCLA’s 126th NCAA team national championship, the second most of any program in the NCAA;
Whereas Head Coach Cori Close, in her 15th season leading the team and 18th season on the coaching staff at UCLA, led the Bruins to a 37–1 record, going undefeated in Big Ten conference play and winning both the Big Ten regular season title and the Big Ten tournament title;
Whereas 6 seniors—Lauren Betts, Gabriela Jaquez, Kiki Rice, Angela Dugalic, Gianna Kneepkens, and Charlisse Leger-Walker—scored every point for the Bruins during the National Championship game;
Whereas Betts, who finished the National Championship game with 14 points and 11 rebounds, was named the NCAA Tournament’s Most Outstanding Player
; and
Whereas the UCLA Bruins demonstrated incredible fortitude, dedication, teamwork, and sportsmanship throughout the season: Now, therefore be it
That the Senate—
(1)
commends the UCLA Bruins' women’s basketball team for winning the 2026 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Women’s Basketball National Championship;
(2)
congratulates the players, coaches, staff, and managers of the UCLA Bruins’ women’s basketball team for their historic achievement; and
(3)
respectfully requests that the Secretary of the Senate transmit an enrolled copy of this resolution to—
(A)
UCLA Chancellor Julio Frenk;
(B)
UCLA Bruins’ Women’s Basketball Head Coach Cori Close; and
(C)
UCLA Athletic Director Martin Jarmond.