WHEREAS, On March 18, 1978, the Cheyney Wolves made history by defeating the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay and bringing home the NCAA Division II Championship trophy; and
WHEREAS, Cheyney State College opened as the Number Two team in the nation in the first Division II poll that year, just behind Green Bay, which held the Number One spot the entire season, with its only loss of the season being against Division I DePaul University; and
WHEREAS, There were 32 teams in the Division II Men’s Basketball Tournament 40 years ago. Cheyney defeated Adelphi University in the regional semifinals, then went on to vanquish Philadelphia College in the regional final, which led to them beating Sacred Heart University in the national quarterfinals, and finally Florida Institute of Technology in the national semifinals; and
WHEREAS, The Cheyney championship team, led by Naismith Hall of Fame Coach, John Chaney, was comprised of John Butts, Duane Coleman, All-American Milt Colston, Tournament MVP Andrew Fields, Kenny Hinson, Jeffrey Hutcherson, Roger Leysath, Gerald Mills, Charles Murphy, Gilbert Saunders, Arthur Stone, and John Walter; and
WHEREAS, Winning the championship would not have been possible without the dedication of Coach John Chaney; and
WHEREAS, Cheyney University honored its 1977-78 Division II National Championship Men's Basketball Team on February 17, 2018 inside Cope Hall on the campus of Cheyney University; and
WHEREAS, March 18, 2018 will be the 40th Anniversary of this momentous occasion in Cheyney University history. We congratulate you and celebrate wholeheartedly with you; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Hereby recognizes and honors Cheyney University on the 40th Anniversary of their 1978 NCAA Division II Basketball Championship.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Coach John Chaney and the 1978 Cheyney Men’s Basketball Team as a sincere expression of the Council of the City of Philadelphia’s gratitude, admiration, and recognition.
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