State Legislature proclaims Xavier Gold Nuggets Day

June 2, 2014: Xavier Gold Nuggets Day

Proclaimed by the Louisiana Legislature.

Thanks to Rep. Walt Leger and Sen. Karen Carter Peterson

for their efforts in recognizing the 2013-14 XU women's tennis team.

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana  -- The Louisiana Legislature commended the Xavier University of Louisiana women's team for its accomplishments in 2013-14 and declared June, 2, 2014, as Xavier Gold Nuggets Day.

Rep. Walt Leger, D-New Orleans, and Sen. Karen Carter Peterson, D-New Orleans, were the authors of House concurrent resolution No. 215, which recognized the team.

The Gold Nuggets finished 17-7, reached the semifinals of the NAIA National Championship for the second consecutive season and ranked third in the NAIA postseason coaches poll. Twice during the season they ranked No. 1 in the NAIA. Women's tennis is the only XU sport to reach the NAIA's national semifinals.

Coach Alan Green and four of his student-athletes -- Kourtney Howell, Brandi Nelson, Carmen Nelson and Sha'Nel Bruins -- traveled to the State Capitol to hear the reading of the resolution on the floor of the House and Senate. Jason Horn, XU director of athletics and recreation, also attended.

"I was surprised at how big a deal it turned out to be," said Howell, a three-time All-American and a senior from Cypress, Texas. "I've never received anything like that before. It was a really good experience."

It was the second trip to the State Capitol -- her first since a fifth-grade field trip --for Bruins, a freshman from Colfax, La.

"It was an honor to be part of this season and the big accomplishments we made to receive this recognition," Bruins said. "It was great to receive an honor of this magnitude in front of the Louisiana Legislature."

Carter read the names of all team members and said of Nour Abbes -- a freshman who was 17-0 in singles and earned a slew of national awards -- "She's the truth."

VIDEO FROM SENATE
PHOTO GALLERY
IMAGE OF RESOLUTION 

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAATHLETICS
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
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