Feb. 12, 2003
FRANKFORT, Ky. - As a reward for its 2002 NCAA Division I-AA national championship, the Western Kentucky University football team was recognized in the state capital Wednesday.
Citations were read while the team was acknowledged on the floor of both the Senate and House of Representatives. The Hilltoppers were recognized in the former on the motion of state senators Brett Guthrie and Richard L. Roeding, while Speaker Jody Richards, in conjunction with Roger Thomas and Rob Wilkey, celebrated Western's achievements in the House.
And, the House of Representatives recommended that signs welcoming travellers on Interstate-65 to Bowling Green be constructed on the northern and southern sides of the city.
The Toppers won their final 10 contests, defeating the top three seeds in the playoffs, to claim the title while ending the year 12-3. Western also was co-champion of the Gateway Football Conference with a 6-1 record, finishing atop each of the three national polls.
Four players - Buster Ashley, Sherrod Coates, Jeremi Johnson and Chris Price - were selected to at least one All-America team. Price was the third Topper in the last three seasons to earn consensus All-America honors, while Coates was named by five different organizations. And, 13 individuals were recognized as all-Gateway Conference performers.
- WKU -
